Subtitled: This is why I’m not a betting man.
Another Subtitle: Never bet against our snowmaking crews.
Photo caption: Man that image of Beech Mountain’s summit cam this morning is golden.
It is Saturday, November 9th, 2019 and the fact that we are even experiencing cold enough air to make snow and even ‘breathing’ the subject of ski resorts being open this early is a testament to the advancements in snowmaking technologies and equipment – AND the huge committment that each of our Southeastern and mid-Atlantic ski resorts have made to investing millions of dollars to that effort.
I drove by the top of Appalachian Ski Mountain last night on my way back from dinner in Blowing Rock and witnessed, first hand, how Brad Moretz and his crew were creating the manmade blizzard that they can implement on the slopes at App. The roads and trees (and of course the slopes) were being blanketed with manmade powder.
That roar that is created by their snowmaking system is pretty impressive and music to our ears – at least those of us who are anxiously anticipating skiing and snowboarding in earnest.
I love this time of year when the seasons kind of overlap. The calendar says it is still Autumn, but the thermometer says otherwise. It was 26° last night at 8pm and as I write this update it is 18°.
Lots and lots of manmade, white gold was layed down overnight at Snowshoe Mountain, Canaan Valley, Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort and Cataloochee Ski Area and Sugar Mountain Resort – the latter two of which are racing to open. In the case of Cataloochee, they are attempting to open for their second day of slope offerings, while Sugar Mountain is attempting to provide their fans with their first taste of the sweet (and new) offerings of the new Easy Street lift system, etc.
It looks like even Sapphire Valley made snow overnite although they are not making snow as of 7am this morning even though it is 22° over there.
QUICK SIDEBAR – We know that the temperatures are not showing properly on ResortCams or HighCountryWeather.com. Those are being worked on as we speak.
Late on Friday, I shared that I did not think that Sugar or Cataloochee would get enough snow made to be able to open this morning. However, I received a lot of chatter that BOTH were going to make it happen. Hence the subtitles to this morning’s post.
I will say, that the decision to open – if either does get open – is one that is evidently a last minute one as neither resort has shared that they are to open this morning. Cataloochee shared on Saturday evening that they WILL open this morning however I have not heard from Tammy yet this morning. I buzzed them at 7:40am but they could not share the update just yet and would know more around 8am or so.
Sugar Mountain IS open today for day sessions and 6 slopes. They posted, “Sugar Mountain Ski Resort’s 50th season. The full-day session runs from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The half-day shift begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. The twilight and night sessions will be available soon.
Here are some nice shots from around the area this morning.
Until then…
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