As I am typing this morning’s update it has been pouring snow here at Snowshoe Mountain. This is the second heavy snow that has fallen during our stay here this week. I was thinking to myself of how amazing the conditions have been while we have been here – and how they have been transformed from some thin coverage and mild conditions (and rain) last Friday when we arrived, to the amazing conditions (despite the rain) the following day (Saturday) to the return of snowmaking weather here in West Virginia on Sunday evening – to the 6" of snow on Wednesday afternoon – to this morning’s snowfall (which looks like it could be impressive as well!)
Snowshoe’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Bill Rock summed up my thoughts with his email this morning, "Mike, you’ve been here and seen the gamut from warm rain, sunshine, and frigid cold. I am continually amazed at our mountain crew and their ability to adjust to these wild swings in weather, and particularly impressed at the how quickly they can recover to provide great conditions. Our team is doing a great job this year and we are excited for a strong winter. All the best to you!"
All the best to you as well, Bill!
He’s dead on with his comments though! What a difference ONE DAY of snowmaking can make at our resorts of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic. However, give snowmaking crews a chance to make around-the-clock snow as they have here at Snowshoe since Sunday afternoon (that’s 108+ straight hours of snowmaking) and you simply won’t believe how good things can get! Add another 6-8" of natural snow to that and you have the ingredients for phenomenal conditions. In Snowshoe’s case, that means the most open terrain in the region and perhaps the best conditions in the region as well. We’ve monitored the snowmaking over the last few days and Snowshoe is the only resort to have made snow non-stop since Sunday evening!
Many other resorts in the region have been making snow consistently since Wednesday and that is making for VERY NICE conditions this morning and for this weekend.
Temps are all over the place this morning:
Snowshoe Mountain 22° Making Snow and Snowing Heavy at 8:30 (probably an inch has fallen this morning)!
Wisp Resort 21° Light snow falling
Canaan Valley 28° light snow falling
Winterplace Resort 32° Not making snow but they have a TRACE of Natural!
Wintergeen Resort 27° They made snow!
Bryce Resort 31° and sunny skies. They made snow last night!
Massanutten 25° and they made snow!
Beech Mountain 27° Making Snow and light natural snow falling
Sugar Mountain 28° Making Snow and light natural snow falling
Appalachian Ski Moungtain 28° Not making snow
Wolf Ridge Resort 32° Not making snow
Cataloochee Ski Area 29° Not making snow
Meteorologist Matthew East has posted his latest skier’s forecast and he is calling for a dry Saturday and wet Sunday, then cold and snow during the middle of next week! The weekend looks like a high of 40° or so today and low tonight around 27° which means more snowmaking for the ski areas around the state. It may be hit and miss for some, but there’s a good chance for some added base. Tonight may be the last of the snowmaking until Wednesday / Mid next week when things turn colder again and some snow reenters the forecast.
All of the ski areas look phenomenal via the live cams this morning! All added substantial numbers to their base depths and all will offer some great conditions for today and this weekend!
Check the slope conditions page for details on the numbers of slopes open, etc.
Here are some notables:
Wintergreen Resort’s Anne Marie Jones posted, "Tequila, Upper and Lower Sunrise open today! 10 million gallons of water pumped through our snow guns since mid day Wednesday, WE ARE MAKING LOTS OF SNOW!!! In addition to providing great conditions, we are working on getting additional terrain open quickly. We are making snow in our terrain Park and on The Highlands with plans to open these areas the middle of next week."
A TRACE of snow has fallen this morning and as of this report, it is still lightly snowing at Ski Beech at 7:30am. They look as good as we’ve seen them this season with 5 trails open and ice skating as well. They are making snow as long as temps allow and the snow REALLY, REALLY looks good this morning! They are open to the top today.
We liked this comment from Tammy Brown from over at Cataloochee, "Happy New Year! What a difference a day makes, 3 additional trails and 1 more lift for your holiday skiing and riding. We began snowmaking at 8am on Wednesday morning and will continue as long as temperatures allow. We will be open everyday for day, twilight and night skiing through January 3 and holiday rates are in effect through January 2. In additon to Tube World’s regular schedule we will be tubing everyday from 10am until 10pm through January 3 and 10am – 6pm on January 4. Be, happy and well for the New Year and all year long! Relieve stress – come get outdoors with us @ Cataloochee!"
Hawksnest Tubing Park looks GREAT this morning! Lenny Cottom posted, "What a difference a day makes. Start 2009 out with some family fun snow tubing. Today will be a great day for snow tubing! The weather today is forecast for partly sunny with highs in the 30’s. Today’s snow tubing sessions are 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8pm. Sessions are $30 per person. Hope to see you soon."
As we’re preparing to head back home from our ski trip, we’re receiving some heavy snow and planning a few first tracks before hitting the road.
As always, be sure to click over to www.SkiSoutheast.com for more news about ALL of the ski resorts of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic including more photos of the day, more snow news, more videos…and just MORE!
Send your comments, photos, videos, and trip reports to: [email protected]