We have so much to share with you guys today, so let’s get right to it.
The big news of the day is without question – THE WEATHER. All of the mountains of North Carolina picked up anywhere from 2"-4" of natural snow Monday-Tuesday. That was on top of some weekend snow that blanketed the area with another 2" or so across the higher elevations. That 6-7" of snow this early has really excited the masses and the conditions that await early season skiers and snowboarders are (and will be) some of the best opening day conditions on record!
Cold temps invaded the region last weekend and they have allowed around-the-clock snowmaking ops for all ski areas and they’ve all taken great advantage of it by blasting veritable blizzards across each ski area.
I glanced at the National Weather Service forecast for much of the North Carolina mountains and the temps look great for the next period. Check this out:
Wednesday: Sunny; High 35°, Low 25° (More snowmaking!)
Thursday: Variably cloudy with late snow; High 38°, Low 19° (More snowmaking!)
Friday: AM Snow then Partly Cloudy; High 25°, Low 13°! (More snowmaking!)
Saturday: Clear; High 34°, Low 17° (More snowmaking!)
Sunday: Clear; High 42°, Low 28° (Probably more snowmaking!)
This early, sustained cold and snow has created quite a stir amongst all of the ski area management and snow lovers everywhere. I was in and out of my office most of the day on Tuesday but still heard from almost every one of my ski contacts. I met with Brad Moretz, the General Manager of Appalachian Ski Mountain in Blowing Rock, on Tuesday and he was smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat! I have some AWESOME news to share with you guys (perhaps later today) about a special bit of synergy between them and another resort, but I’ll save that for later.
While on the subject of Appalachian, I have to take a moment and say a very special "Thank You" to Brad Moretz. I don’t want to toot our own horn here, but suffice to say that I am very appreciative of the extraordinarily nice comments and praise that was heaped on SkiNC and SkiSoutheast.com yesterday.
I also have to add that while touring around App on Tuesday I was amazed at the blur of activity that was going on! They had dozens of people busy readying for their Friday, Opening Day. A lot of construction was going on in the lodge area, rerouting cafeteria traffic flow. They also are adding a new snowboard rental area that is pretty impressive. App is one, well-oiled machine and they keep making tweaks that are all geared to making YOUR ski getaway the best that it can be. It is obvious that Appalachian subscribes to the theory of all successful businesses – if you’re in the business of entertaining people – stand pat and you’ll lose your advantage. App sure isn’t standing pat!
They should have an amazing opening day on Friday.
Sugar Mountain Resort remains the only ski area operating in the entire Southeast and Mid Atlantic! They opened Monday with 2 trails; increased to 4 on Tuesday and now offer 7 trails and 3 lifts for Wednesday – Day Skiing Only.
We received hundreds of emails asking about OPENING DAY DATES for other ski areas. Here you go.
Opening Day Info:
Appalachian Ski Mountain will be opening THIS FRIDAY, November 21st. Remember that the first 100 people to show up get a FREE LIFT PASS. You can pick those up at the ticket cashier window. Get their early as they will go fast!
Cataloochee Ski Area has been cranking out the snow and plans on reopening on Saturday, November 22nd.
Hawksnest’s Tubing Only Park will open Friday, November 21st. Check out the live camera that we’ve repositioned to show off the tubing fun!
Sapphire Valley Ski Area and their popular Frozen Falls Tubing Park will open for the season on December 21st this year.
Ski Beech – The new day at the Beech debuts this Saturday, November 22nd. Beech has added a second terrain park, two new piston bullies, new tubing run and a new quad lift. Expectations are high and the season begins at Beech this Saturday!
Sugar Mountain is already open (See Above)
Wolf Ridge Resort is making snow and plans to open the first weekend in December.
How much snow has fallen?
We’re still compiling some official data but so far, here’s some numbers for you natural snow lovers:
Spruce Pine: 1"
Beech Mountain: 3.5" – 5" since Saturday night and 7" on the season
Little Switzerland: 2"
Blowing Rock (Appalachian) – 2" – 3" since Saturday and 4" on the season
Sugar Mtn – 3" – 5" since Saturday and 7" on the season
We have a lot of final tweaks to put on the website(s) today and we’ll be debuting that information and all of the contests this week so be sure to check back. Also for more ski news from ALL of the ski areas of the Southeast and Mid Atlantic – be sure to visit www.SkiSoutheast.com (A LOT OF SNOW HAS BEEN FALLING UP THERE!!!)
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