Mother Nature has been kind to us and the resorts are making hay, and we’re not yet done. The Maryland and West Virginia resorts have an 80% chance of snow in the forecast today and tonight, most of the Virginia resorts have at least a 40% chance today and tonight, while down here in North Carolina we are looking at a 30% chance of snow today and tonight. Along with the chance of natural snow of course comes the snowmaking temps. So, we’re all good (I really do hate this saying but it seems appropriate here).
The resorts saw another dusting of snow last night for the most part – Snowshoe got a little more and is reporting an additional inch of natural. Much like yesterday, the resorts are pumping out their own snow at a feverish pace. Appalachian laid down an additional 4” last night, Cataloochee put down a whopping 6”, and Sugar added 1-5”. Appalachian has a pretty incredible 74” of snow at the high end, while Sugar is reporting an even more unbelievable 90”.
Nothing but white at Sugar
There is no doubt that there is a lot of snow on the hills right now, and with more snow comes more runs. Beech added 3 and has 14 of their 15 slopes open and Snowshoe proper is completely open except for the glades (Knot Bumper and Sawmill) with 227 of their 251 acres open.
There is lots of activity on the mountains this morning as I scan the resort cams. The groomers are going, the crews are setting up the barriers. I regret to say this again, but all is good.
Snowshoe’s crew getting ready for the day.
There is talk that the North Carolina High Country resorts will have 46 of their combined total of 47 runs open for the weekend. Appalachian is already at 100%, Beach is just 1 little crossover run away from 100%, and Sugar just lacks 2. Beech will be 100% tomorrow for sure which just leaves 1 run at Sugar that will not be open (will it be Boulderdash and Sugar Bear?). This bodes well for the crowds that will be flocking to the area starting later this afternoon and tonight.
We have new forecasts from our good friends Herb Stevens and Brad Panovich that you should really check out. The consensus is decidedly good. The West Virginia resorts have snow in the forecast straight through to Sunday, with Wisp seeing a chance straight through to Tuesday. There is more snow in the forecast for today and tonight for the Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee resorts, the sun will poke out a bit tomorrow (Saturday), and more snow in being called for on Sunday. Monday, Martin Luther King Day, should be nice and sunny. Great, great, great forecast for this all important weekend for the resort.
I have a couple of quick heads-up to share with you this morning. Appalachian Ski Mountain has dropped their season pass 20-30% for the remainder of the season (details here), and it is College Day up at Massanutten with tickets going for $30 with an ID. And hopefully you haven’t missed Snowshoe’s 72 hour sale.
One final personal note and I’ll let you go. I want to thank everyone who has emailed to tell me how much they are enjoying the morning reports. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I appreciate it – it makes my day. Please keep your ideas and suggestions coming and I look forward to meeting on the slopes. And speaking of that, I started a thread on the messageboard yesterday to start gauging support for putting together an Olympic Watching Party or two. Let me know what you think. If there’s enough interest we’ll see what we can put together.
All y’all be safe and take care out there. There will be plenty of snow and people.
Tim Bahlke
Drop me an email at [email protected] to let me know what you think or with suggestions on what we could be doing better.