4" of Snow has fallen at Wisp, a dusting has fallen at Ski Beech and nothing so far most everywhere else.
(We have staff out looking for Ma’ Nature, cause we "got a little sumpin’ – sumpin’ for her!)
While the North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia resorts praise the incoming cold temps that are STILL not quite into some of the resort areas, those resorts into WV and Maryland may STILL see some decent snow today. The National Weather Service is still forecasting up to 7" of snow for Snowshoe and portions of West Virginia.
Wisp Resort in McHenry, Maryland is enjoying 26° and 4" of new snow! They have 19 trails operating today and I for one, am damned jealous. THERE, I said it! Too cool for them. Ummm, Lori, sweetie, get me some photos and more giggling videos! Those of us who are starved for snow would love to see some!
Winterplace – Terry and crew are not reporting any snow OR snowmaking as of this morning. That should be kicking in as we speak and they plan to re-open for skiing and snowboarding on Monday.
Timberline Resort – They are reporting 34° and no snow is being reported yet. They are open with 4 trails today. Did I just hear the snowguns crank up?
Snowshoe Mountain – They are hovering around 33° this morning. No snow is being reported as yet. The MADE SNOW yesterday for a bit and had to turn them off last night around 9:30pm. They are seeing some iciing. They are expecting snow to kick in and snowmaking as well later today. Laura Parquette writes, "Ballhooter and Soaring Eagle Express lifts will open late today due to icy weather. Please call 304-572-1000 for updates** Despite a promised winter storm failing to develop as predicted, Snowshoe expands its terrain again today, reopening Upper Flume and Lower Hootanenny, as well as Soaring Eagle lift. Snowshoe will be open today with its most open terrain of the season–28 trails, almost 50 percent of the mountain! Snowmaking did occur throughout the day yesterday and was stopped just before 9pm last night. Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing before noon, allowing snowmaking to restart. Silver Creek remains open, including night skiing and the tubing hill! Be sure to check out Snowshoemtn.com for all of our last minute holiday deals. The holidays are truly a great time to visit Snowshoe–don’t miss out!"
Wintergreen Resort reports 34° and snowmaking happening! They should see some snow today…we’ll see how much. They have 2 slopes open today.
Massanutten Resort is making snow this morning as well.
Ober Gatlinburg – The Smoky Mountain ski area was hovering around 40° last night and they are READY to make some snow and get open. Snowmaking should kick in on Sunday sometime.
THE NORTH CAROLINA NEWS…
IT’S TIME TO CRANK UP THE SNOW GUNS BOYS AND GIRLS!
We’re seeing some natural snow falling at 7:22am up on Beech Mountain! (No snow guns just yet, but that HAS to crank up pretty soon as Beech is showing 30°. The moisture stayed in place, but the cold temps came much more slowly than expected and therefore it appears that the North Carolina mountains are going to miss out on heavy snow and maybe pick up 1-3" of snow. We’ll take it right?!?!
OF COURSE Sugar is already making snow this morning. Give the man his credit, Gunther is FIRST nearly every single time the temp drops.
Thankfully the temps are dropping and we should see some PROLONGED snowmaking for the next few days and nights (at places other than Sugar!) Winter here we FINALLY come!
Here’s some notables. I’ll be traveling today…so you guys get me some pics of the snow and snowmaking and we’ll get the post Sunday evening and Monday.
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 33° – 5 trails / 3 lifts – No Snowmaking Yet
Cataloochee Ski Area – Chris, Tammy, Tony and crew don’t usually make snow during ski sessions, but these are "desparate times" and Tammy Brown informs guests, "The colder weather did not arrive as quickly as we anticipated but should be moving into our area during the day tomorrow. In an effort to capture the colder weather and maximize snowmaking to improve conditions and open more terrain, Cataloochee guests should expect snowmaking to be in progress during skiing hours if temperatures permit for the next week. Please be prepared for winter conditions with hats and goggles and please dress accordingly. We will be making snow at each opportunity the temperatures will allow in order to add to our current base depth and add additional terrain for your upcoming holiday skiing and riding. Snowmaking could begin as early as midday on Sunday and there is a possibility of some natural snowfall occurring on Sunday as well.
On Sunday, we will be skiing on four slopes with 2 aerial lifts and 1 surface lift operating on a base of 10-20 inches and a loose granular surface.
On Sunday, we will offer one session of skiing only, day skiing from 8:30am – 4:30pm with a morning or afternoon half day rate also available."
(Way to go Tammy…)
Hawksnest Ski Resort – It’s 7am and 32° and the guns are not on just yet. Justin Grimes writes, "Good news, not only is a snowstorm predicted for this weekend, the long-term forecast for Christmas through New Years is the coldest and best we’ve seen in a few years. Plan to come celebrate the Holidays with us; conditions should be great. We anticipate opening Wednesday, December 19, for skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing with normal operating hours for day and night. Stay tuned to our website and livecam to watch the snowstorm and snowmaking in progress. See you on the snow very soon!"
(I hope he’s right.)
Ski Beech – It’s 30° and snowing at Beech. No snowguns yet but I would HOPE they are scrambling to get those new machines blasting away!
Sugar Mountain – They show the same 30° and they are OF COURSE already making snow. Things look p-r-e-t-t-y bad on Sugar but that will now change very quickly.
Wolf Ridge – The temps are not QUITE there yet for Wolf but they should be cranking up in a bit and announced that they will be looking to open mid week.
NOT FINISHED WITH GLOBAL WARMING COMMENTS JUST YET!
It has been great to receive so MANY emails from you guys about the global warming comments that we (I) made the other day. Yesterday several more hit my inbox and it’s great to see that all but MAYBE four emails were in agreement with our stance. That has me planning to post a new POLL later today that will ask our readers where they stand. Look for that this evening and be sure to vote. From what I have heard and read, it is obvious that the vast majority of people think that the Global Warming "craze" is just that. Most people seem to thing that we are simply on a cycle and that it will get COLD again. Most write that it is simply a MONORITY of people clamoring that they are smarter than ALL OF THE REST of us. I have tons of comments and responses that I will share with you guys later this evening or Monday.
Keep them coming!
Send your comments, pics and vids to: [email protected]
Until Next time…