At least winter-ish!
The photo of the day was snapped outside my lodging this morning of Snowshoe’s mountain ops doing their BEST to make things look like winter anyway.
Check the SNOW REPORT for all of the details.
This the kind of weather period where our LIVE SKI CAMS become invaluable for showing you just how well each resort is doing in terms of fighting against Mother Nature – or perhaps working WITH whatever Ma Nature is providing. As I looked around the region this morning, there are/were some blue skies in the North Carolina mountain as I watched some early morning turns at Beech Mountain. There’s considerable cloudiness around most of the Virginia ski areas and some light drizzle already hitting the West Virginia mountains. As you’ll read in a moment, I was able to get in some really nice turns last night at Silver Creek. This morning things are damp but I’m going to hit the mountain momentarily and then report back in a bit, so check back later.
THE MEH CONTINUES FOR A FEW DAYS YET
It’s going to be a warm week around the entire region; there’s no denying the southwesterly flow around warm high pressure anchored near the Bahamas. Our low temperatures will be 10 degrees warmer than typical highs. Our high temperatures Tuesday and Wednesday will threaten records for the dates. Expect lots of clouds as well. A passing shower or two is possible later tonight into early Tuesday. Showers will be more pronounced Wednesday and Thursday. However… it appears that colder air will arrive Sunday with snow showers possible by Sunday night.
Here at Snowshoe – The forecast for today has started to dry out a little bit, with the “under-developed snow” now expected to mostly hold off until the afternoon. The next few days will continue to trend wet and mild but by this time next week it’s looking like we’ll be back in full-on winter mode.
As Timberline’s marketing crew shared, “Snow conditions today may be the best of the week as less favorable weather for skiing and snowboarding are on the way.”
Here are some photo shares from the LIVE CAMS…be sure to check them out yourself…look around
DAY ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY SKI GETAWAY IS IN THE BOOKS
Sunday was day one of our annual Christmas getaway and while I hope it won’t be the case, it MIGHT end up being the best day to be on the slopes. We got in around 2pm or so and lucked out that two of our five units were already available for us. We unloaded a week’s worth of luggage and equipment; headed over to get our lifties for the week and then at around 5pm we began the normal debate that happens on the first evening of every ski getaway. If you’re anything like me, after a very early start to the day – and five hours or so of traveling, grocery shopping, checking in and unloading – I’m usually ready to be lazy and call it a day. The debate that I just alluded is usually one where my laziness wins out BECAUSE we know we have several more days and nights to enjoy the slopes.
However, one look at this week’s forecast greatly “weighted” the decision in favor of gearing up and heading to Silver Creek. I’m SO glad we did because after m-a-y-b-e a ten minute wait for the shuttle from the Village to Silver Creek, we were on the slopes by 6pm. As warm and “meh” as the weather has been all week, I was really expecting the worst. I figured a full day of Holiday ski & snowboard traffic would have churned up the trails to be 6-10 inches of slush and “corn”.
To my surprise, the base was firmer than I expected with perhaps 2-3″ of soft, variable-granular conditions that was really quite nice to ski. The only deeper, granular was on the way back to the slope exit down Knife Blade, etc.
We never saw a minute of lift line at the bottom and made laps until the legs gave out.
As I am writing this at 10pm (prepping to post something before HOPEFULLY making ‘rope drop’ Monday morning) the gamplan is to hit the slopes early as long as there isn’t a soaking rain happening. As of 10pm the temperatures are hovering at a frustrating 36°-39° here at Snowshoe and the grooming crews were out “farming” the snow to corduroy perfection.
Check back in a bit for more.
NOTABLES:
CANAAN VALLEY RESORT
We will continue to keep Upper Canaan Curve, Chute, Valley Vista, and Face open on the mountain, along with Sissy Schuss and Critter Crawl open in our beginner area. This is perfect variety of early season trails to have open while also providing you with a thrilling experience of skiing at Canaan. Quenchers Pub is open 11am-5pm.
CATALOOCHEE SKI AREA
Do to the warmer than normal weather we will be reducing the number of tickets available for purchase thru January 2nd, 2022. We feel it is important to give the best experience that we can to all guests. Currently we are skiing on 4 slopes from mid-station down with two ariel lifts, A lift (Oh My Gosh lift) is running to mid-station only, B lift (Easy Way) and the Beginners Luck carpet (teaching area).
Please purchase your lift tickets and rentals online by going to https://isalessite.com/cataloochee/Catalog
OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT
Call ahead for slope openings
WINTERGREEN RESORT
Lift ticket sales may be limited to ensure a quality mountain experience. Due to anticipated high demand, especially during peak holiday periods, lift tickets and rentals must be purchased online in advance. In the event lift tickets sell out, guests will not be able to buy them in-resort at the ticket window. Wintergreen Club Members, Mission: Affordable season passes, Mission Four’dable quad pack tickets, Buddy Tickets purchased with the passholder present, resort lodging guests, and lift tickets bought as part of a ski and snowboard school package are guaranteed access.
That will do it for now.
Email me at [email protected]
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