MOTHER NATURE, ARE YOU LISTENING?

Hello Everyone –

First off and just in case you didn’t know, winter will arrive this Wednesday, December 21 at 5:44 am, EST.  Instead of asking Santa for an early present this year I have switched my requests towards the one who truly controls the weather, Mother Nature herself.  Other than the smile on my son’s face, knowing that winter is almost here, makes this old snowman smile.

It may be a tad bit behind schedule but I thought I should come up with a Mother Nature “Wish List” for the ski resorts in southeast region.  If you ever wonder why I stick to the southeast region (I have gotten that question), please check out the web address of this site that hosts my weekly thoughts.

1. Subfreezing temperatures – This is where the grand lady of weather works hand and hand with ski resort operators.  When she drops the temperatures below 32-degrees it’s time to get the snow guns going.  If she really is nice, she drops the temps into the 20’s or even the teens and that’s when the snowmakers really rock.  Plus, if she can keep the winds at a moderate level, the snowmakers can drop the perfectly formed manmade snow wherever on the slopes, making things very nice for every skier, snowboarder and snowtuber to enjoy their time at the resorts.
2. Supporting meteorologists – Mother Nature please look over every weatherman’s shoulder while they are coming up with a forecast, to make sure that weather forecasters understand that folks that play outside during the winter months, listen carefully to every single word they say.  Please have them understand, whatever the high number they say for snow accumulation is the number that sticks in the memory of every viewer, listener or reader.  So, if there is only a SLIGHT chance of eight inches, just give the one to three inch span and leave the guessing for the snow gooses.  Please provide us more weather folks like Brad Panovich, Herb Stevens, Spencer Adkins and Jacqui Jeras, as they get it and understand not to scare the living daylights out of flatlanders that don’t experience snow very often in their lives.
3. Understanding Parents – Mother Nature, as you know the Southeast region is perfect for learning to ski and snowboard.  This is where a lot of folks learn for the first time that gravity can be their friend when going downhill. All of the resorts have excellent teaching staffs.  So, when that young person asks their mom and dad to allow them to learn to ski or snowboard, may they respond with a big smile and make the opportunity available for their children.  They just need to realize that January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and every resort is gearing up to teach young people how to have fun on the slopes the correct way. But then again, any month can be a learn to ski month, epically in the southeast.
4. Safe travels for snowplow drivers – Winter mom, I think you know how I feel about snowmakers and that they are the unsung heroes of the industry and you have already taken care of them with number one on this list.  However, coming in a close second are the folks who I think don’t get enough credit for what they do for the industry – the guys and gals that are behind the wheels of the snowplow trucks making sure the roads are clear for everyone visiting their favorite ski resort, while you are providing your white blanket of fun.  These guys and gals don’t have the opportunity like most of us and don’t travel when we don’t want to, they must get behind the wheel and get the job done, no matter what the conditions are. Those clear roads help all of the visitors arrive safely to their destinations at the various ski resorts throughout the southeast region. So please have positive thoughts for all of the Department of Highway workers that drive the plow trucks during everyone’s travels this year to the mountains, so they remain safe while making sure everyone else is safe on the roads.
5. Mother Nature, finally and probably the most important wish of all, please sprinkle some of that winter magic on all of the skiers, snowboarders and snowtubers that visit all of the resorts everywhere, not only in the southeast but every winter play area in the world.  I realize that is going to take a large amount of that winter magic but I really hope you can handle this request.  Skiing and snowboarding is a fun outdoor sport but sometimes it can a little dangerous when someone pushes their limits. Also, please provide those newbies with the correct instruction when they are starting out, because it’s so important to learn the correct way to ski and snowboard from the beginning so that the sport is not only fun but also safe for everyone.  At the end of the day that’s the most important thing isn’t it?

I know you are very busy right now, preparing to help everyone enjoy a white Christmas, for everyone traveling to their favorite resort for the holidays and have a lot of things on your plate or should I say ice tray, so please look over the list and do the best you can.  It’s not a very big list, but for the thousands of folks that depend on winter, it is an important list. But as you look over the list if put a special emphasis on number four and five would be greatly appreciated. It’s an important time of the year and while everyone wants to have fun, doing it safely, at the end of the day, is the most important thing.

That’s it for this week, more to come as the season continues. Just remember whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be.  Think about it! See you on the slopes and Merry Christmas to everyone in Skisoutheast.com land.