If you’re reading this, I hope you’re on snow.
Snowshoe, Timberline, Bryce, Massanutten, Appalachian, Beech, Cataloochee, and Sugar Mountain are all open for skiing and riding today.
It’s a little warm and wet this weekend, but as meteorologist Brad Panovich points out in his weekend forecast, that is going to be the norm this December in the southeast.
A push of cold air currently sitting over Montana is headed our way. The bad news is that it won’t be here until the middle of the week. The good news is that will give ski areas a good window to make some more snow, and have it groomed and ready for us by the weekend.
It looks like the threat of rain is easing up a bit across the southeastern resorts, but just to be safe, I’m going to be packing a few essentials, in case I do get a little bit too wet. Here’s what will be in my bag:
- Extra socks
- Extra mittens
- Poncho – I have a fancy, waterproof surfing poncho that works great, but the dollar-store variety will come in handy too, I promise.
- Rain jacket – In the early and late season, sometimes this works better than a ski jacket.
- Clear safety glasses – Not every situation calls for goggles. These are $2 at your local hardware store, and there’s no risk of ruining the antifogging coating on your expensive Oakleys.
I am a huge supporter of skiing and riding in jeans, but today is probably not the day to give that a try.
The bottom line is this: don’t let a few raindrops ruin your stoke. Some of my most memorable days on the mountain have come during the rain.
Beech Mountain
There are four open lifts and five open trails today for Beech’s opening day. Two quad chairs, a double chair and the carpet conveyor are all running. Upper and Lower Shawneehaw, Crossover, Freestyle, and Play Yard are all open.
If you find yourself by the First Chair Coffee shop, drop in for some hot cocoa, coffee, and stickers on the house. The person who claims the first chair will receive a prize pack and gift card.
Snowshoe
It’s go-time in West Virginia.
The Ballhooter, Skidder, and Powderidge lifts are all running this morning. Open trails include Cross Cut, Gandy Dancer, Heisler Way, Mid Whistlepunk, and Whiffletree. The progression park is open as well.
Just a reminder that Silver Creek is not open yet. That projected opening day is December 15.
Massanutten
Yesterday was a good day to be a passholder, according to Discord user Ozmium. There was some rain, but plenty of snow on the ground.
There are three lifts open today: the Creekside Quad Chair, Ridge Triple, and Sunkid Conveyor. Paul’s Way, Southern Comfort, Upper and Lower Showtime are all open for skiers and riders today. There are six lanes of snow tubing open.
Bryce
There will be one lift and three trails open at Bryce today. Bootlegger, Little Nip, Bunny Slope are open.
The resort will close from December 4 through 7, and then open up daily for business starting December 8. Looking to save a few dollars? Discounted early season rates are in effect through December 22. That means adults pay $40 for weekdays, and $55 for the weekend. A full day of early season rentals costs $60.
Timberline
Preview weekend is on.
The snowmaking team at Timberline started up the snow guns Monday morning for 68 hours of uninterrupted snowmaking. It then groomed for 30 hours.
“All open terrain has been machine groomed for a granular surface texture. You’ll find nearly full-width snow coverage on the majority of our terrain, with some trails having coast-to-coast snow coverage,” the snow report says.
Nine of 20 trails are open today, including the black diamond White Lightning. Upper and Lower Dew Drop, First Flurries, and Upper and Lower Salamander are all open as well. The six-person chair, quad chair, and both carpet lifts are running today.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Don’t forget, $10 lift tickets!
App is celebrating its anniversary weekend with prices reminiscent of the 1980s. Both today and tomorrow will cost just $10 a person to get on the mountain. Advanced reservation is required.
We’re Jamming
Beech has yet again teamed up with the Lees-McRae Ski & Snowboard team to host the Southern Rails Ski and Snowboard Rail Jam. The contest will be held December 9, and feature a showing of Teton Gravity Research’s latest film “Flying High Again” immediately after the award ceremony.
Competitors must register online by December 8, and the contest will run from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be $3,000 in cash prizes given away.
- Here are the categories:
- Beginner freeski and snowboard
- Intermediate freeski and snowboard
- Advanced freeski and snowboard
- Women’s open freeski
- Women’s open snowboard
All of the proceeds will help fund the Lees-McRae team’s travels for the upcoming season. The team had four national championship winners last year in Mammoth Mountain, California. Snowboarder Lilly Kamp won in alpine combined and boarder-cross, and the women’s team took home alpine team combined and team boarder-cross honors.
While on the subject of rail jams, the James Madison University Ski and Snowboard Team is holding a rail jam at Massanutten on December 3. That will start at 9 a.m. Competitors can get a discounted lift ticket for $25, plus the $10 entry fee, and there will be awards for the top three finishers.
Be sure to check out the chatter about resort openings happening over on our new SkiSoutheast Discord channel.
THINK SNOW!
THINK COLD!
Also 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!