Happy Hump Day folks! We’re halfway through another work week and only 2 days away from the Ski Southeast Summit at Snowshoe! If you can’t tell, I’m pretty pumped. This will only be my second trip to the Shoe and last time I was there it was pretty late in the season and conditions weren’t near as good as they are now. We’ve gotten some pictures emailed from up there over the past day or so and things still look pretty dang good up there. They have 59 of 60 trails still open, made snow the past few nights, and are planning on doing so over the course of the next couple of nights. Conditions are going to be pretty darn good up there.
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<<<This photo from Snowshoe YESTERDAY shows some great coverage and snow conditions still.
Some people are a little worried about the weather but it is going to be a good time regardless. Besides, we all know those weather guys are wrong half the time anyways, or so my friends say. We’re gonna make another quick little video later today just to update you on the plans and what not so look out for that on the front page. You can also click here for more info.
It appears that we are going to have our second resort closure of the season already. Well, I say second because everyone is thinking Wolf Ridge won’t open back up. Cataloochee yesterday announced that this Sunday, March 6th will be their last day of operations of the season. It’s kind of unusual to see the first resort in the region to be open for the season to also be the first one to close, but it is what it is. Here’s a press release from them.
Cataloochee Will Close for Season at 4:30pm, Sunday, March 6
Due to the continued unseasonably warm temperatures, Cataloochee Ski Area will close for the 2010/2011 season after 100 days of skiing and riding at the end of the skiing day on Sunday, March 6. Chris Bates, Cataloochee General Manager states, "Today the decision has been made to close for our 50th season after the day skiing session on Sunday March 6, 2011. This is four months to the day from when we opened on November 6, 2010, and after 100 days of operation. While this decision has been difficult, we have had a successful season and prefer to finish with good conditions. We will be having our annual one day season pass sale on March 6, and season passes will be at their best price of the year. Because we will be closing on Sunday we will offer a mid-week single day ticket for next season to anyone who purchases a pass on Sunday. Thank you for your business this season, we look forward to seeing you in November."
So…from our Cataloochee family to each of you…THANK YOU for making it a great season for all of us and remember….the 2011/12 season is just around the corner!
By all accounts, it has been a great season at the Cat this year. Their snowmaking upgrades last summer seem to have payed off this year as many people had nothing but good things to say about both snow quality and coverage throughout the season. It is nice to see a ski area end their season on a good note with good conditions, making sure the customers get their money’s worth. I applaud them for that.
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Conditions yesterday>>>> morning at Wisp looked more like mid January!
While some ski areas are ending their season, others are still holding on pretty strong. Like Snowshoe, Massanutten once again made snow last night. Wintergreen plans on doing so tonight, and I’d imagine Wisp is in the same boat. I was emailed some pictures yesterday showing the current conditions at Wisp. Man, it still looks like a winter wonderland up there! They were making snow on a few trails and the coverage and base look more like mid January than March.
Also this morning, Mike just got off the phone with Ryan Costin, manager of Ski Beech, who told him that they will be open until AT LEAST March 13th. There has been much recent speculation about their closing date, but he told us that they have plenty of snow to push around will remain open past this weekend. Kudos to all of these places for continuing to work hard and produce a quality product for the customers!
These aren’t the only ski areas to remain open. The majority of resorts across the region remain open with plenty of terrain to ski and ride. The grooming jobs look magnificent at all of the areas and the weather over the course of the next couple days looks to be beautiful. So get out there and get some turns in if you can! It will be 8 long months before you will get to again!
Resort roundup time…
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 38°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a frozen granular surface. Ice skating is also open today. They have a promotion right now where you can buy next year’s season pass and ski and ride for free for the rest of this season. That’s a pretty cool deal.
Beech Mountain Resort – 34°- They are open today on 14 of 15 trails with a frozen granular surface. Oz Run is closed today and probably for the season. Regardless, it will still be a fun day to ride out there are the grooming job looks very good this morning on their cams. They will have night skiing as well.
Cataloochee – 37.7°- They are open on 8 of 16 trails with a groomed surface today. There will be night skiing tonight. Tubing reopens tomorrow. As I already mentioned, they will be closing up shop for the season on Sunday so make sure to get out there while you can! Just a reminder that they are going to be having their BIGBIGBIG One Day Season Pass Sale on Sunday, March 6th. Pass prices will be the lowest of this year and next and if you are a new pass holder you can ski and ride for free for the rest of this year!
Sapphire Valley – 28°- They are closed for the season.
Sugar Mountain – 37.5°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a loose and frozen granular surface. Tubing and skating are also open. Sugar is still going strong. Their Spyder Sample Sale is still going on and will continue through the end of the season. Boss Hawg will be playing some bluegrass music on Saturday in the base lodge from 4pm to 6pm, and their March Madness rates being on Monday.
Wolf Ridge – Wolf is closed for the week and will re-open on Saturday, weather permitting.
Snowshoe Mountain – 27°- They are open on 59 of 60 trails today with a groomed and frozen granular surface. That is practically the whole mountain! Here’s what they have to say – "Yesterday was a beautiful day and we’ll see more of the same today. We were able to take advantage of cold overnight temperatures and had select snowguns working, concentrating on the areas of Skidder Slope and the steeps of Widowmaker. Our grooming team was also out working their magic last night and all 59 of our open slopes today were groomed overnight. Once again today we should start off with a firm, beautiful corduroy surface that should soften up as the day goes on. Some sun and a little skier traffic will have the snow softened to perfect spring conditions by mid-afternoon. We’re looking at another cold overnight period tonight, which should allow us to once again have those snowguns blasting. And tomorrow’s forecast is calling for more of the same sun and mild daytime temperatures.
We know many of you out there are still questioning our snow conditions, and whether they’re really as good as we’re saying. So again today we’re going to let your fellow guests do the talking. All of these comments were made on our Facebook fan page yesterday:
Kim says: Was up there this weekend. Just left there about noon today. This morning was fantastic. Great job Snowshoe crew after Monday heavy rain. I didn’t want to leave….
Heidi says: Snowshoe, you guys did a FANTASTIC job overnight to erase the supremely ulgy day we had yesterday. The slopes are groomed, the snow is great, and it’s a beautiful bluebird day. Give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back. I was nervous after yesterday, but you guys came through big time. You guys deserve a gold medal! THANK YOU!!!
Once again we can’t say enough about the work done by our snowmaking and grooming team. These guys have stepped it up in a big way this year and it shows everyday. Sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, but it hasn’t prevented us from putting out a product that we’re proud of almost every day this season! And there are still several weeks to enjoy those great conditions!
March is filled with great events and they start this weekend. The INFAMOUS Jose Cuervo Games of Winter return to Snowshoe beginning tomorrow night. This legendary event has been rocking the mountain for almost 30 years. If you haven’t joined the party, you’re missing out! From snow volleyball to boxcar racing, nightclub games to great live entertainment, it’s a weekend filled with over-the-top fun! This weekend is also our annual Skisoutheast.com Summit. If you haven’t checked out skisoutheast.com you’re missing out on a great resource for skiing and riding in the region, as well as an active, enthusiastic message board. Hop over to the site and check out daily snow reports, plenty of chat topics and pictures from regional resorts. Plus, if you join the message board and join us for this weekend, you’ll receive great discounts on lodging and FREE lift tickets. Check out the skisoutheast.com message board for fun details and maybe even meet some new friends! Other upcoming events include our Burton Women’s Snowboard Camp. This ladies-only event will have you learning new skills from expert female riders and hanging with other girls that share your passion for ripping it up! The camp will also allow ladies to test the latest and greatest gear from industry favorite Burton, and you’ll walk away with some sweet prizes! Call 877-441-4386 for full details!
Even if you can’t make it to the mountain this month, it’s time to start thinking ahead; 2011.2012 season passes are now available at their lowest rate through April 30th. You’ll save up to 28%, and if you do have time to get in another trip to Snowshoe this season, you’ll SKI FREE! That’s right, purchase next year’s season pass now and SKI FREE for the remainder of this season! There’s still great snow out there and plenty of time to enjoy it. So head over to snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386 today!”
Wisp Resort – 29°- Open on 29 of 32 trails today with a frozen granular surface. There will be tubing sessions today and night skiing tonight. Ice skating is also open tonight. Today is also Locals Day, where everyone is considered a local and will receive discounted prices on lift tickets, rentals, tubing, and even ice skating. That is pretty cool!
Massanutten – 29°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a groomed and granular surface. They did make snow again last night! They are still going strong! Both terrain parks are also still open with a number of features set up. Tubing is also open today.
Wintergreen – 34.9° – Open today on 24 of 26 trails with a groomed surface. They did not make snow last night but are planning on doing so tonight. They will be night skiing tonight and tubing will reopen tomorrow.
Ober Gatlinburg – 45° – Open on 6 of 9 trails today with spring conditions. The day session begin will begin at noon today and they will be skiing and riding until 10 pm tonight. Tubing and skating are also open today.
Canaan Resort – 32°- Open today on 24 of 39 slopes with a frozen granular surface. Tubing and ice skating are open. Today is BOGO Wednesday, where you can buy one lift ticket, and receive one of equal or lesser value for free! They also have specials going on right now where between now and next weekend you can stay and ski for free for just $49 per person/per night! That is a great deal. Just so you guys know, Canaan will close on March 13th (next Sunday), so get out there and enjoy it while you can!
Timberline – 32°- Open today on 33 of 39 trails with a groomed surface. The Governor’s Cup Race is this weekend so make sure to get up there and check that out.
Winterplace – 32°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a groomed and frozen granular surface. Both of their terrain parks remain open and tubing is also open today. They are still holding on pretty well!
Bryce Resort – 34°- Open today on 7 of 8 trails with a groomed surface and will only be having a day session. It does not appear that tubing is open either.
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