Hello Everyone –
I am one who really doesn’t like when the obvious is stated, but what a season so far for every skier, snowboarder and snow tuber in the region!
Along with the huge amount of natural snowfall this year from Tennessee to Maryland, the consistent sub-freezing temperatures have allowed the on-ground snow to not go anywhere for the most part. That means anyone planning to hit the slopes will not have to worry about thin areas anytime soon.
This is also the time of year that visitors from further south will start seeing the color green popping up everywhere giving them the false impression that the snow conditions aren’t very good. This year that couldn’t be any further from the truth. I truly believe that there is going to be snow somewhere in the mountains come June. I have actually seen piles of snow on Snowshoe Mountain’s Cupp Run through Memorial Day. Can you imagine mountain biking later this spring through some of the snow that is going to still be around?
I would be amiss not to recommend to everyone to check their favorite resort websites because the deals are going to start rolling in, as March is known as the industry’s discount season. Now let me see, lower prices for the most snow of the year, 100 percent open and milder temperatures, I call that a pretty good deal. If you don’t take advantage of the situation, you only have yourself to blame.
Now let’s get to the main point of this week’s column, if you start giving up on the season and the numbers don’t justify resorts staying open, the plug will be pulled. For some unknown reason there are a lot you who don’t realize that this is a for profit industry. The moral, if you keep skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing, the snow (open resorts) will be there for you to enjoy.
Finally this week, congratulations to Austin Beeghly and Candice (Mike, didn’t mention a last name on the site) for their touching moment on Snowshoe’s slopes Saturday when he proposed and she accepted. His proposal (very cool by the way) reminds me that 10-years ago this May, I got married to my best friend and the mother of my best buddy not far away at the top of Ballhooter lift.
Austin and Candice – here is hoping that the Snowshoe Mountain luck rubs off on you two also. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.
That’s it for this week, just remember whether it be cold or whether it be hot, we’ll weather the weather, whatever the weather will be. Think about it! See you on the slopes.
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Joe Stevens, a member of the southeast ski industry since 1990 is a regular columnist for skisoutheast.com and serves as the Communications Director for the West Virginia Ski Areas
Association.