It’s bitterly cold across all of the southeastern ski areas, but that’s not to say you can’t get out there and still have a fantastic time. It’s all about how you dress for the weather and making sure you’re prepared…
The first layer you need is your "long underwear" — Old "long-johns" made out of cotton, wool, or flannel will not keep you warm. Instead, breathable under-layers that wick perspiration away from your body and eliminate that cold, clammy feeling are excellent.
The next layer is your mid-layer, an insulating layer. For this layer, you can wear anything from a sweater, a turtleneck, or an insulating shirt designed to keep you warm or comfortable without adding extra weight.
Some skiers and boarders choose to wear a fleece layer under their jacket. This layer doesn’t have to be fleece. In fact, a soft-shell jacket can keep you incredibly warm on days that are especially cold. This layer isn’t necessary, as you might find yourself a little too warm during moderate winter temperatures. However, a fleece jacket or a soft shell layer will keep you warm on days that are especially cold or windy.
A ski jacket will protect you from the elements, and you have many jacket styles to choose from. The two main jacket styles are insulated jackets and shell jackets. Insulated jackets will not only shield you from wind, snow, and rain, but they are will keep you warm and comfortable. Shell jackets will shield you from harsh elements, but they are not insulated so they will not keep you as warm as insulated jackets. Ski pants are also available in insulated or shell styles, and are essential for keeping you completely warm and comfortable.
Last but not least, are accessories. Goggles will keep the sun and snow out of your eyes. Your hands will need mittens or gloves, and your head will need a hat or a helmet. A warm hat or helmet is essential, because the most heat is lost through your head.
If you’re prepared and practical when it comes to how you dress, you can have fun in most any weather scenario.
North Carolina…
Appalachian Ski Mountain -3°- Full mountain open, ice skating, 7.3 inches of new snow-12.3 on the storm. Wind chills still below zero, great conditions but dress warm!
Cataloochee -9°- Regular season hours have finally arrived, open daily with three sessions, day, twilight, and night. Halfday ticket also available. About 90% of the mountain is open, with 14 of 16 trails and 3 lifts. Snowmaking continues on last two trails with those opening asap…9 new inches of freshies.
Ski Beech -3°- Seven new inches of snow! 15+ inches from the current storm. Snowmaking ops still fired up and Beech is operating with 12 of 14 trails open, including two terrain parks packed with fun features!
Sugar Mountain – 0°- Open today! Frostbite warning in effect, hat and gloves required! Skiing and riding on 16 of 20 slopes. Conditions couldn’t be better as Sugar has recieved well over 15 inches on this last storm!!
Wolf Ridge Resort -11°- After closing on Monday due to high winds and blizzard conditions, the Wolf is back open today and open on 11 runs with the "most incredible slope conditions ever." They will be open for day and night skiing as well as for tubing! Snowmaking on closed slopes with hopes of having the entire mountain open by December 20th!
More winter weather is in the forecast for the weekend. Check out www.highcountryweather.com for updated daily forecasts and for quick access to current ski resort weather across the region!
THINK COLD! THINK SNOW!
We urge you to visit:
www.HighCountryWebCams.com
www.HighCountryWeather.com
Send your comments, photos, videos and trip reports to: [email protected] or [email protected]!