Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone! As I just typed that, I realized I am not wearing any green at all. Woops. In past years I have celebrated the usual way, by going out and having a few drinks with friends. This year, I think I will go snowboarding. Is there any better way to celebrate than that? I think not. App is looking mighty fine this morning and I’m thinking I will be going there after work. .jpg)
<<<App is looking pretty great this morning. I think I will have to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by making some turns out there tonight!
It’s going to be absolutely gorgeous just about everywhere today. It’s a little foggy this morning in some spots, but other locations are seeing a beautiful start to the day. The Hawksnest and Wintergreen cams both showed some awesome looking sunrises this morning. Head on over to the High Country Web Cams site and check out all of our cameras for yourself, as the beautiful weather will make for some great views. I got a chance to work on the site over the past few days, and just about every single camera is up and running now, so there are plenty of unique views of the High Country to distract you while at work. We’re also in the process of adding some new cameras to the mix, so keep checking back. If the warm weather has got you wanting to look at beach cams, we have that too. Low Country Web Cams offers some great views of Charleston, Wrightsville Beach, and Myrtle Beach among other locations. We’re continuing to add cameras to that site as well. 
It was a beautiful sunrise up in Seven Devils this morning. You can check out this view and others over at High Country Web Cams>>>
I mentioned this yesterday and I’ll mention it again today. One morning in the next few weeks, I want to do a season recap talking about the snow events and conditions throughout the season. I need you guys to send me some pictures and comments talking about how things were at the time you went. I think it would be cool to have a little summary of the winter with first hand accounts of how it was. So send me some stuff at [email protected]!
Here’s a look around the region…
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 35°- Open on 11 of 12 trails today. Their late season rates are now in effect and will remain so until they close next weekend. This weekend they will be hosting the final Ladies Park Night and Shred for the Cup events of the season. Ice skating is open and will conclude for the season on Sunday. App is in great shape right now!
Sugar Mountain – 33.5°- Open today on 18 of 20 trails with a loose granular surface. Little Neil and the Ski School Play Yard are the only areas not open. March madness rates continue to be in effect, saving you 25% on lift tickets and rentals. They still have night skiing and riding going on as well. Tubing and skating have closed. Sugar hasn’t announced a closing date yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they remain open until next weekend. Just a reminder that they will be having an Easter Egg hunt on the slopes this Sunday, March 20th.
Snowshoe Mountain – 27°- They are open on 41 of 60 trails today with a groomed surface. Here’s what they have to say – “Happy St. Patrick’s Day to our friends and fans! It’s going to be a gorgeous day on the mountain with sunny skies and mild temperatures. The official start of Spring is still days away, but today is certainly going to feel like a new season at Snowshoe. We’ll start off the morning with a frozen granular surface that’s been perfectly groomed by our expert team. All 41 of our opened slopes were given the corduroy treatment overnight and there should be some nice fast groomers to start the day. With skier traffic, mild temps and sun, we should see that snow soften as the day goes on and it could get a little choppy, with thin spots developing as the day goes on. But those thin spots are just due to moving snow and our grooming team should be able to easily patch them as we head into the weekend. We still have plenty of snow and we continue to ski and ride on 41 of 42 basin slopes and 100% of the Western Territory.
As we head into the weekend the forecast has changed just a bit, but our forecast for great spring skiing is remaining the same. The snow should be soft and the sun should make an appearance or two. We foresee remaining nearly 100% open in the basin through at least the weekend, and we may be able to hold on to all 41 of those slopes through the end of the season, as long as Mother Nature doesn’t throw too many curveballs our way. With value season pricing, it’s more than worth it to head to the mountain for those last turns of the season on our more than 150 acres of open terrain.
And don’t forget, beginning Monday, everyone can SKI FREE! That’s right, purchase any lodging stay between March 21st and 27th and your lift tickets are absolutely FREE! Can’t get away for an overnight stay? No worries! We want you to help us celebrate the great season we’ve had at Snowshoe, so we’re offering $26 lift tickets for anyone who just wants to come up and ski or ride for the day. Additional resort discounts will include lodging starting at just $125 a night (that’s $32 a person for lodging and lift tickets for you and three friends), up to 50% off at our retail outlets, great savings on rental equipment and Last Hurrah deals for our exciting adventure activities. For complete details check out snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386. Saturday, March 26th we’ll host our annual Last Hurrah celebration, complete with pond skimming contest, great tunes from DJ Judd, a survivors party at Moonshine pub and great prizes. So make plans now to celebrate another great season with us!
Finally, we can’t forget to mention that 2011.2012 season passes are now on sale. As the season winds down it’s time to think ahead. If you purchase your 2011.2012 season pass by April 30th you’ll save up to 28%. Visit snowshoemtn.com or call 877-441-4386 to purchase your passport to Snow Country!”
Wisp Resort – 34°- Open on 28 of 32 trails today with a groomed surface. Today is Season Pass Day, where you can receive a discounted lift ticket with a valid 2010/2011 season pass to any other resort. They will have night skiing and ice skating and tubing will both be open from 5-9pm tonight.
Massanutten – 40°- They will reopen tomorrow for skiing and riding for one final weekend. The ski area portion of the resort will close for the season on Sunday. Their Z-Tour Zip Line will be open today.
Wintergreen – 40.5° – Open today on 19 of 28 trails with a groomed surface. They are offering discounted skiing and riding this weekend as lift ticket prices are 30% off regular season rates. Tubing will reopen Saturday. Wintergreen plans on staying open for skiing and riding until next weekend.
Timberline – 34°- Open today on 31 of 39 trails with a granular surface. Just a reminder that the finals of their Rail Jam event series will be taking place on Saturday.
Winterplace – 30°- Open today on 100% of the mountain with a groomed and granular surface. They still have one terrain park open and tubing is going on today as well from 1-5pm. On Sunday they will be having their pond skimming championships at 2pm. Winterplace will close for the season on Sunday.