The weather will be on the "iffy" side today as the region will include some light, misty mixed precip that should change over to snow later in the day although no accumulation is expected. There’s a chance for some dusting of snow on Saturday and this weekend looks fabulous with highs in the low to mid 30s and lows in the teens. That will make for great snowmaking temps and we expect most resorts will make snow but perhaps not on terrain that is open for skiing and snowboarding.
We’re working on some cameras today, so I’m going to hop into then important news and then we’ll update you on some additional news later in the day.
TIMBERLINE RESORT OPENS TODAY!
Timberline is reporting "variable base depth" with "variable" conditions on six trails for today. Trails that are expected to be open on Thursday are: Crossroads, Timberline, Whiteout, Woods hole, Upper White Lightning, Upper Silver Streak. More trails will be opening as the days go on. The best news is that the only thing better than skiing and snowboarding is nearly FREE skiing and snowboarding and Timberline is doing that with $1 lift tickets for today!
This weekend has been designated Military Appreciation weekend in recognition of those who are serving in our armed forces. However, military discounts will be extended throughout the entire 2008 to 2009 ski season. Timberline is kicking this opening weekend off with live entertainment from Bud Carroll & the Southern Souls.
Cataloochee Ski Area is conducting their annual "Can-U-Ski Food and Coat Drive" this Sunday. Tammy Brown writes, "Don’t forget that Sunday, December 7 will be our 7th Annual Can- U-Ski Food and Coat Drive. In conjunction with Haywood Christian Ministries, Cataloochee Ski Area seeks to help with this year’s increased need for food and warm winter coats for special families throughout our region. We ask all Cataloochee skiers and snowboarders to bring at least 10 cans of food or a winter jacket of any size that is in good condition to the ski area on Sunday, December 7th and you will receive your lift ticket on that Sunday for FREE! Skiing on that day will be from 8:30am – until 4:30pm and rentals and lessons are not included. It’s a $51 value!"
…not to mention you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy knowing that you’re helping people that need it!
SKI BEECH IMPRESSING EARLY VISITORS…
We’ve already reported about how Ski Beech has rededicated itself to vastly improving their product this season and from the "early returns" they are winning people over with what many have emailed us as "the best conditions in years". We posted a photo posted by "thekenDog" from the messageboard after his visit to Beech Mountain on Wednesday.
He writes, "Beech provided some SICK corduroy and with hardly anybody there it was a bluebird day on the slopes!"
"DavidSki" also posted, "I was out all day with my sons; just got back home and am to tired to post it now but I have some pictures that I’ll throw in a seperate thread (on the messageboard).
Anyway, fully concur with everything KENDOG said –it was a great day on the top to bottom they had open, and nearly empty, and like you say, no guns blowing during the day even in the early cold. Also no, I mean NO bare spots in the terrain they had open, not so much as a pebble to avoid all day! Beech has absolutely stepped it up."
Darlene A emailed, "I’ve kept up with all of the negative that went on over the last couple of years up at Ski Beech and I wanted to report that I was at Beech on Wednesday with my two sisters and I have not seen conditions like we rode today at Beech in a decade. My heart started pumping from the moment I walked up the hill and saw what was waiting for us to play on – perfectly groomed slopes from top to bottom! Beech has won me back!"
That is the sentiment from several other emailers including "Mellow Yellow" who is one of our messageboard mods. He added, "…Beech has won back my money! I’ll be there on Saturday I think…"
That is great news to all fans of Ski Beech. (Check out the front page photo of the day on SkiNC.com for a GREAT shot from the bottom of Beech.)
WINTERGREEN RESORT REPORTS IN…
"Great snowmaking conditions the last couple of days! Eagles Swoop and both cross trails are coming along, right on schedule. We will be skiing and riding these 3 trails along with Upper and Lower Dobie on Saturday and Sunday."
WINTERPLACE MOVES UP OPENING DAY SCHEDULE…
They will be opening this Saturday, December 6th at 9am with Special Early Season Rates & Hours! Snowtubing will NOT be open at this time, but continue to check back.
SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN LOOKS FORWARD TO A GREAT WEEKEND FOR DEMO DAYS, BIG AIR COMPS, MEDIA WEEKEND AND MORE…
Laura Parquette writes, "It looks like winter weather is back in the forecast. Temperatures will continue to drop today, and any wintry mix will change over to all snow by 10am this morning. It looks like the chance for snow will continue through the weekend with temperatures cold enough for around the clock snowmaking. This extra surge of winter weather should make for an excellent opening for this weekend’s new terrain…including CUPP RUN! Other slopes opening this weekend will be: Camp 99, Camp 4 and Knot Bumper. All of the terrain we’ve previously had open will reopen as well. Our terrain park crew has been busy overnight and has added another jump to the Spruce Glades Terrain Park bringing the total number of features to 2 jumps and 3 rails. More features should be added daily in preparation for this weekend’s King of the Mountain Competition. This weekend is also our annual Demo Days event, so take advantage of the excellent conditions and try out top of the line equipment for this season. Call 1-877-441-4FUN to make your reservations TODAY!"
We have more news to share about Winterplace and Ober Gatlinburg…but we’ve got to bug out for a bit. Check back for more information later in the day!
Check the slope report for all of the conditions and slope openings for all ski areas. We’ll be posting some more news a little later today so be sure to check back.
Send your photos, videos, trip reports and comments to: [email protected]