Just how far would you go to beat the crowds during the busy holiday rush? Would you run up the down escalator?
It’s humpday at the mountain, and there’s some fresh powder at Snowshoe, Canaan Valley Resort, and Timberline, just to name a few.
And for those of you headed elsewhere today, I have good news. Cataloochee, Beech, Wisp, and Wintergreen are just some of the ski areas pumping out some manmade snow today.
Like Joe Stevens and I have talked about earlier this week, this is the busiest time of year for the ski areas, with as much as 40% of the yearly revenue coming from the weeks that sandwich the holidays alone. It looks like a line started at Sugar this morning as early as 8:30 a.m., and one Discord user reported some hiccups in the lift lines at Cataloochee yesterday. Just be patient, and adjust those expectations going to the resort over the next couple weeks.
My best advice is something most of you probably already know. But just in case you don’t, here it is:
Don’t go in for lunch at noon. Either eat an early lunch or a late lunch (or no lunch at all), but if you stay outside at the midday point, you’ll have more of the lift line and slopes to yourself.
Ski Roundup
In case you mixed it, the roster for the 2024 Kings & Queens of Corbet’s Competition has dropped. Back for the seventh year, the competition will be between February 3 – 10 at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and is one of the gnarliest jumps in skiing and snowboarding. There have been a lot of legendary drops at this spot, but one of my favorites is sit-skier Trevor Kennison’s launch back in 2019.
There are some pretty big names in the competition this year. I’m personally excited to watch Portsmouth, New Hampshire native and Olympian Colby Stevenson, and freeskier Claire McPherson.. As for the snowboarders: Torgeir Bergrem stands out to me. I could explain why, or you could just spend your next eight minutes watching this edit from him and GimbalGod.
Bryce Mountain got some love from National Public Radio member station WMRA on Monday. Reporter Randi B. Hagi got some turns in at the Shenandoah County resort, and talked to marketing director Andrew Devier-Scott about the start of the season, and the challeneges that come with snowmaking. She left us with this wisdom: “To those shredding the slopes this winter, may your tips never cross and your edges never catch.” Give it a listen.
Here’s what else to know if you’re shredding in the southeast today:
Timberline
Plenty of pow to go around at Timberline. Here’s what the snow reporting team had to say today:
Timberline Mountain saw 8-12 inches of natural snowfall yesterday. Combined with an extremely productive few days of snowmaking and sunny skies, it’s going to be a spectacular day on the mountain. Snowmaking continue on both open and unopened terrain today, and our fleet of groomers will be pushing out snowmaking mounds on unopened terrain in hopes of opening a few more trails over the next few days.”
Canaan Resort
Since I started taking over the FirsTrax report last month, I’ve watched the snow slowly accumulate at Canaan Valley Resort, but the ResortCam at the Canaan Midstation has always showed a significant amount of grass poking through the snow, whether it be manmade or natural.
That seems like it’s coming to a close really soon. The camera this morning is showing a nice white blanket of coverage, and with temperatures around 12 degrees this morning, hopefully it continues to stay that way.
Cataloochee
We’ve got two new trails open at Cataloochee today. Rock Island Run and Wolf Creek Hollow will be among the trials up and running at Cataloochee. Meanwhile, all five lifts are spinning. The slopes are open today from 8:30 to 10.
Appalachian Ski Mountain
Absolutely wonderful news for the park rats today: App Ski’s terrain park is entirely open from top to bottom. Appaljack, Appal Jam, AppalTop, and The Highline are all open for business. Go slide some steel!
The mountain has also been firing the snowguns during this prime window.
Snowshoe
There’s another two inches of fresh, natural snow for the powder seekers out there, but today will be a bluebird day. Here’s what the team over there had to say:
There’s no better way to follow up a powder storm than with a gorgeous bluebird day. The forecast predicts clear skies, so put on your shades, take it easy, and enjoy the views today. Speaking of taking it easy, The Basin is the perfect place to take the weight off some tired legs and fuel up an empty belly. Conveniently located slope-side in lower Mountain Lodge, to the left as you get off the Ballhooter lift.”
Thanks to everyone that has already joined us on Discord.
Think snow!
Think cold!
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!
And as always, email me at [email protected] with your thoughts and photos. I want to see powder day pictures!
Keep skiing the southeast.