Merry Christmas, everyone. Cue the Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Buble-heavy playlist for your drive to the mountain today.
It’s a warm Christmas in much of the southeast, but as meteorologist Brad Panovich points out, a weather pattern change is inbound for next Saturday, meaning this could be one of the last rainy days on the slopes we have for a little while.
Christmas came early for me yesterday: Since Mike Doble took the FirsTrax report, I was able to get to the slopes for dawn patrol. I’m up in New England for the holidays, so I went to Pats Peak in Henniker, New Hampshire, and I crossed something off of my bucket list: I took my dog Ollie splitboarding.
He was very apprehensive at first, and in particular, didn’t love the fact that other skiers were zipping down the mountain around us. But after a little while, he got used to it, and he was bounding around the mountain with me.
Once we reached the summit – which is not a super gnarly hike, it’s just about 700 feet of vert to the top – he was super intrigued by all the skiers and splitboarders changing their gear over and stashing their skins. And on the way down, he was in his element.
https://www.tiktok.com/@joshsullivan36/video/7316203474511727903?_r=1&_t=8iTiSkAuH78
I kept him on his leash, per Pats Peak rules, and also because I didn’t want to disrupt the run of another skier, but he loved it.
There are some modified hours at ski areas around the region today. Timberline is closed today, for Christmas. Appalachian Ski Mountain will be open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Neither Beech Mountain nor Sugar will not have night skiing tonight, and Ski Sapphire opens up at noon. Winterlace won’t open until 1 p.m. today, and the slopes are open at Wisp and Ober Mouintain from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Here’s what else you need to know about the southeast today:
Omni Homestead
It looks like the folks over in Virginia enjoyed a great opening day. There are three trails open, and the resort is open from Thursdays through Sundays all season long.
Snowshoe
There are 27 trails and nine lifts open at Snowshoe today. Here’s a note from the team over there:
Merry Christmas from Almost Heaven! After you’ve unwrapped everything under the tree, head on out for some soft, fun turns on the mountain. Temperatures will stay on the mild side with mostly cloudy skies. Some “under-developed snow” is expected to begin this evening, and we’ll see that continue off and on for a couple days before snow and cold return and look to stay for a bit! We hope Santa brought you all the sweet ski and snowboard gear you asked for! If not, stop by the MAC and treat yourself. (located in the Village, near Ballhooter).”
Massanutten
Massanutten will be open from noon until 8 p.m. today. Keep an eye out for Santa Claus on the slopes today. There will be eight open trails and six lifts running.
Winterplace
The mountain will be open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. today, and then back to its typical 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. hours through New Years Day.
Open Trails include Meadows, Rendezvous, Rendezvous Too, Last Chance, Last Run, Easy Street, Wanderer, Cascade, Panorama, Glades, No Problem, Heaven Holler Terrain Park. Compromise, Country Roads, Drop Off, Look at Me, and Snowfield.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
If you purchased your ticket online before today, you’re skiing for 50% off today. Today’s skiing will serve as a fundraiser for App Ski Patrol. The slopes are open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Thanks to everyone that has already joined us on Discord.
Think snow!
Think cold!
Click here to join us on our new SkiSoutheast Discord channel. It is a great way to meet new snow loving friends and shares experiences, ask questions, and more!
And as always, email me at [email protected] with your thoughts and photos.