Gripped by arctic air

The storm that came through DID deliver to some areas of the region. Specifically Beech saw 4″, Snowshoe saw 3″ (and is reporting Powder surface conditions, to boot!), along with Wolf and Ober. The rest of the NC’s and WV’s did get a couple of inches, respectively.

The larger story though is the gripping arctic air. A quick look at the snow report shows that almost every resort was under 20° this morning. That’s cold, BUT ideal snowmaking weather. Many resorts are treating this cold seriously with ‘Hats and Gloves’ a requirement to access all lifts. But hey, many of these same resorts are offering deals on facemasks/toe/and handwarmers as well . . . might be good timing for a purchase!

NC saw a couple (up to 4) inches of snowfall

• Beech Mountain: 4″ new snowfall (also 4″ at Sugar . . . thanks Angie!). Currently 8 degrees.
  • Let’s take a look at the arctic forecast today atop 5506′ . . . “Mostly Sunny. High near 14, with temperatures falling to around 7 in the afternoon. Wind chill values as low as -16.”

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• Cataloochee: 
  • “It’s 14 degrees on top of the mountain and the colder temperatures have moved in for today and tonight so come prepared for winter conditions today.  Hats and gloves are required to access all lifts.”
  • Awaiting snowfall total . . . “We did receive a bit of natural snow yesterday”.
  • COULD be 2″ because base grew from 69-103″ to 71-105″.

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• Wolf: 3″ of new snow . . . base grows to 51″
  • “Ladies today’s your day to come and Ride the Wolf… 1/2 off lift tickets! It’s also another Snow Day for a few lucky Teachers and Students..$15 lift tickets (Day Session 9am – 4:30pm), $7 ski and $15 snowboard rental and $10 beginner group lesson (ages 8 and up). We have 10 slopes open and 3 lifts running today!”
  • No snowmaking today.
• App: awaiting snow total
  • Students and Teachers . . . “Applies to ALL SCHOOL SYSTEMS IN North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina and Virginia
    $10 8-hr Flex Ticket
    Any time any school system in NC, TN, SC or VA is out of school due to winter weather, students, teachers and school staff from that school system can purchase an 8-hour Flex ticket for only $10! Simply present a report card, school ID or paystub for teachers & staff to take advantage of this great offer. Our Flex ticket is an 8-hour ticket, and your time starts when you purchase your ticket. This includes Colleges that are out for winter weather as well. (Individual class cancellations do not qualify.) Regular rental rates apply.”
  • Some closed runs . . . “Hard Core, Thin Slice, AppalTop, Candied Appal, and Appaljack will close Tuesday afternoon January 29 for concentrated snowmaking until Friday morning, Feb 1. There will be no snowmaking on open slopes during skiing & riding hours.”
  • App cup series tonight

Ober saw 3″

• Ober: “Our 3″ of powder has blended nicely into a super fun surface to slide on!  We are making snow on most of our slopes and will continue to make snow as temperatures allow.  GRIZZLY is also being covered in snow- please hang tight and check back to hear about when we open The Griz!”
  • Making snow on all slopes EXCEPT Alpine Way

WV . . . snow on the ground and gripped by cold air

• Snowshoe: 3″ of new snow in 24hrs . . . 4.5″ in 48hrs . . . 7″ in 7 days
  • Snowmaking on 6 runs at ‘Shoe, 8 runs at Silvercreek . . . “Be sure to bundle up, as the temperature will be in the SINGLE DIGITS all day. Our snowmakers are taking full advantage of the cold, and the trail count will likely go all the way up this week.”
  • Powder! and Groomed snow conditions
• Canaan Valley: 1.7″ of new snow . . . “A fresh coat of snow and cold polar temps have made our mountain a true winter wonderland”.
  • Notable trails . . . “Gravity is open with nice, smooth groom. Ramble closed today for snowmaking and race prep this weekend. Valley Vista is nice and soft with fresh snow.”
  • Snow in the forecast . . . 3-5″ for Friday
• Winterplace: 1″ of new snow.
  • Forecast: Partly sunny with some snow flurries.
  • Conditions and closures . . . “Machine groomed. Overeasy, Last Chance and Last Run will be closed for snowmaking.”
  • Know before you go . . . “Snowtubing will be closed Tuesday, January 29th through Thursday, January 31st for snowmaking and reshaping.  The snowtubing park will reopen on Friday, February 1st.”
• Timberline is closed today (reopens tomorrow) and Oglebay is open! . . . Noon – 8pm (due to school closures)

Snowing at Wisp this morning 

• Wisp: Forecast . . . “Snow likely, mainly before 10am. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny and cold, with a temperature falling to around -3 by 5pm. Wind chill values as low as -25. Breezy, with a west wind 16 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.”
  • Wisp pays tribute to their patrollers . . . “Our Ski Patrol won a variety of awards in November including: Larry Pease’s induction to the National Ski Patrol “Hall of Fame” and Stephen Cabe’s “National Appointment Award” #12062.”

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VA sees some of the coldest temps this winter

• Massanutten: “Mostly sunny with the breeze picking up this afternoon, highs in the lower 20s. .5″ new snow  and snowmaking is in progress! Schools Out Special today if your school is closed for inclement weather.”
  •  Snowmaking on 9 (of 14) trails today
• Wintergreen: “It is chilly this morning, but that means our snowguns have been blasting out perfect snow all night.”
  • Snowmaking on all 24 runs

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• Bryce: 100% terrain open until 8:30pm on Wednesdays.

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  That’s all for today.

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