Yesterday was kind of cool in the sense that it snowed all day. Actually we’ve had snow around the Western North Carolina Mountains for the last two days. However, for the most part it was one of those snows that you kind of wonder WHERE does it all end up!?! Cataloochee and Beech recorded 2” of snow from the last two days and according to local weather guru, Ray Russell our more favored elevations received 1-3” of snow, and even though we don’t doubt the officially measured, “fall from the sky” amounts…it REALLY looks more like a good dusting all across the region. Brisk breezes limited the “stacked” look to this 2” or so!
Wisp Resort in Maryland actually reported the most accumulations from this system with 3” of snow in the last 48 hours or so. Wisp has some fun planned today with their “1st Next Snow Event”. They will showcase some Extreme skier/riders ages 9-13, and give them a chance to win a trip to the finals in Killington, VT!!! They also have a FREE Concert at 5:30pm in Lodge every Sat. ’til March 18!
Snowshoe gets more snow – Another 1" of snow fell overnight, bringing the total since Friday up to 2" – that’s 65" of natural snow for the season! The cold temps this morning are allowing our snowmakers to get out in full force making snow on 29 trails at the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas. Please be aware that the Spruce Glades Terrain Park will be closed to the public today until 3pm due to a competition. Also, Slaymaker and Spur at the Silver Creek area will also be closed to the public due to a race.
Also, we HAVE to mention this even though a handful of people are going to think that this is a negative reference – We are PROUD of Sugar Mountain’s reporting of natural snows from the last two snowfalls. They didn’t even report any depth from these last two snow-teasers! Don’t tell ME we don’t influence people in high places! The fact is, however Sugar received just as much snow (according to the NWS) as Cataloochee, Beech, Snowshoe and Hawksnest reported, which was somewhere in the 1-2” range. I want to just say that it is VERY COOL of them to “come around”.
Cloudmont in Alabama is back open today with 3/4th of ONE slope open. That’s ALWAYS fun to report! They make snow every chance they get and they are open with 4"-20" of base!
So – the cold temps and light snows will make for VERY nice – mostly groomed and/or Frozen Granular – conditions across the region. It should be a GREAT weekend of skiing no matter where you ski this weekend. There should be lots of sunshine so get us some great pics!
The talk around the region (emails) is that we’re looking at another bout of non-snowmaking weather for the next seven days AFTER today. Resorts should be making a ton of snow today – wear your goggles! – and they will be making snow tonight and then as long as temps allow on Sunday. Sunday will mild up to near 50° and then it will be about 4-5 degrees milder than normal for the next week as far as HIGH temps go and more than 10-12 degrees milder than normal for lows. Don’t fret though because there is plenty of snow base down and conditions should be EXCELLENT today and Sunday, a little loose the rest of the week, but nice through the period and then COLD air looks to be coming back in seven days or so.
One person asked when was the most snow for this period we are moving into. Coincidentally, TODAY, January 7th, back in 1996 we received 12” of snow in one 24 hour period. January 8th, 1988 we received 8” of snow, January 9th of 1978 we received 6” and January 10th of 1977 we received a foot of snow. So we are in a snowy period, traditionally and the snows and cold will return.
Enjoy your day and maybe we’ll see you on the slopes!
Until Next Time!
Be sure to email photos, snow reports and comments to: [email protected]