We’ve made it to February 1, and these deer were caught on the Winterplace ResortCam doing some hiking before the lifts were spinning this morning.
It’s a beautiful day out there throughout most of the southeast this morning. There’s not much fresh snowfall out there right now, and that is going to be the theme of the weekend.
Timberline and Canaan Valley Resort both got less than an inch of snowfall, to take us into the weekend. As meteorologist Brad Panovich points, out, that will likely be the theme taking us into the weekend. There will be another burst of “blowtorch” temperatures coming our way next Thursday, but this weekend and the start of next week will provide a good chance to get some snowmaking going.
“All and all, not a bad weekend to be skiing, honestly,” Panovich says. “Even though you’re not looking at widespread snow.”
Making the Mountain
By now, you probably know that North Carolina’s newest ski resort, Hatley Pointe, will not be opening for the 2023-24 season. Due to some complications with the resort’s snowmaking infrastructure, the Hatley’s decided to hold off on opening the resort until the springtime.
“Overall, these have been challenges and roadblocks, but we’re persevering through them and we just know it’s going to make Hatley Pointe a lot stronger,” Deborah Hatley said in the YouTube video Making the Mountain.
The group is still trying to finish the renovation of the lodge, in addition to buffing out its snowmaking system and pumphouse.
“Being that we’re not going to be open for the winter, this is giving us a new plethora of ideas to really expand on,” Hatley said. “We are taking the same urgency that we had on completing the lodge, and still going 120% to make everything perfect and to be fully operational and still open our doors for late spring and early summer.”
Mountain biking is 100% in the resort’s future.
Mike Doble Talks White Gold
As most readers know, my other year-round job when I’m not writing the FirsTrax report is working for WUNC – North Carolina Public Radio. A big smile crept across my face when I saw that SkiSoutheast’s own, editor and founder Mike Doble, went on our weekly radio show Due South to talk about that “white gold” – skiing, snowboarding, snowmaking, and the economic impact that it has on the south.
“Despite the warmish winter weather here in the central part of the state – snow remains a big business in North Carolina…Collectively those ski, snowboarding, and tubing centers have an economic impact of about a quarter billion dollars annually,” host Jeff Tiberii says.
You can listen to that interview here.
Burton x Girls Go Shred Collaboration
I’ve seen a lot of marketing campaigns hit my inbox from various snowboarding and skiing companies. But never did I think that Burton would be texting me to let me know that they’re teaming up with Girls Go Shred for an event at Beech Mountain.
The two powerhouses are teaming up to offer a 100% female demo session on February 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Participants can test ride all of Burton’s women’s boards and bindings, including Step Ons. All of that is included with the purchase of a lift ticket that day.
There will be a short product clinic, and those who RSVP will be automatically entered to win a 2024 Burton Feelgood. There’s an afterparty and raffle at Edge Of The World boardshop starting at 5 p.m.
Let’s get into what you need to know around the southeast today:
Omni Homestead
It’s Thursday, so the Omni Homestead slopes are back open! Here’s what Lynn Swann had to say this morning:
We took advantage of Monday night’s short window of snow making conditions and made some more snow, so today we have a base of 18” on four trails. We have Upper Main, Lower Main, Lower Glades and Briar Patch available today. Both lifts are open and we have two lanes of tubing.
Snow making conditions return soon and our team is ready! We’re also hoping that the groundhog sees 6 more weeks of winter tomorrow!
Snowshoe
We’ve got an inch of fresh snow at ‘The Shoe.
Thursday is gearing up to be another enchanting snow globe day! Fresh snowfall graced us last night, and light flurries are dancing in the air this morning, eventually giving way to clear blue skies and sunshine. It’s the ideal recipe for a good times! Elevate your mountain adventure with the official Snowshoe mobile app! Enhance the fun with the official Snowshoe mobile app. Track your stats your stats, navigate the mountain with ease, collect awesome badges, and more.
Timberline
Temperatures will hit a high of 41 degrees today. Timberline yet again, 100% open.
“Another half inch of snow has coated the mountain this morning,” the marketing team said. “This fresh layer of snow has groomed in nicely, creating a soft and granular machine groomed surface on all of our open terrain. The snowmaking mounds on both Off the Wall and The Drop have been pushed out and groomed.”
Beech
There are 15 open runs today at Beech.
Tonight is ladies night: tickets are just $15.
There’s a minipark clinic tonight. Today’s focus: Buttering basics and flat ground tricks.
Winterplace
The team at Winterplace is bold enough to ask: What if The Snowdrift Lounge was a retro night club?
On February 10, there will be an APRÉS-SKI party for those ages 21 and older.
“Dress up in your favorite vintage attire and come correct,” the marketing team said. “Show up to ski and ride or just to vibe, either way is fine! Costume contests, local craft beer, and music from DJ JLS. You won’t want to miss this.”
And the West Virginia Craft Beer Showcase will be Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Video Of The Day
And in honor of that retro Aprés ski night, I leave you with Warren Miller’s 1983 film “Snowonder.” It’s as retro as it gets, folks.
The Rest
Don’t forget: Clear your calendar from February 9-11. That’s when Massanutten and SkiSoutheast will host team up to host our summit. It’s a great way to meet like-minded, snow-loving people, and possibly make some lifelong friends in the process.
Thanks to everyone that has already joined us on Discord.
Think snow!
Think cold!
Click here to join us on our new SkiSoutheast Discord channel. It is a great way to meet new snow loving friends and shares experiences, ask questions, and more!
And as always, email me at [email protected] with your thoughts and photos.