Photo above was snapped by Dave Walls of WSET, ABC 13 News at Wintergreen Resort. College racers were preparing to compete at the Virginia resort this weekend.
I’m not going to burn a lot of time providing individual resort conditions and slope openings, because you guys can VIEW THE SNOW REPORT for all of those details.
Suffice to say that every resort is operating either AT or close to full capacity in terms of slopes open across the region. Everybody’s got plenty of base depth to insure an awesome experience.
This past week has been a STELLAR one for skiers and snowboarders who had the good fortune to time making a trip to the mountains. I spoke with a few friends this week who were able to make it out on the hill on a few occasions at various resorts and they all shared terms like “awesome”, “sweet”, “incredible”, and you could plug-in your own adjective and you’ve got the picture.
MORE OF THE SAME FOR TODAY???
Notice the “question mark”. We ARE seeing snow showers across the entire Southeast and mid-Atlantic ski resort communities this morning. SOME of those resorts could see as much as 8-14″ of snow – with the highest totals falling into Virginia and West Virginia.
On the surface anytime you hear SNOW, you’d think that conditions will be awesome across the board. UNFORTUNATELY as is the case with today’s forecast, resorts down in North Carolina may START with 1-2″ of snow, mixed with sleet – but the forecast is for that to turn into “under-developed” snow (rain) by later today. THAT could make things messy at some ski areas.
Our advice if you’re skiing or riding in the Tarheel state today? Get out early and often.
THE VIRGINIA SKI AREAS could see much more in the way of snow – at least for the most part. All four of the ski areas in Virginia could see 5-10″ of snow and sleet mix. Unfortunately, they too could see this event end as freezing rain towards the evening hours.
AS USUAL – WEST VIRGINIA IS SEEING MOSTLY A SNOW EVENT
The NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE is forecasting temps to stay just below freezing for high temps today in Canaan Valley, WV and that could insure that things stay mostly a snow and sleet event in the West Virginia mountains. The NWS is forecasting up to a FOOT of snow for Davis and Snowshoe in West Virginia. There’s no mention of freezing rain – but I would not be surprised if there is a bit at the finish of this storm system.
Regardless, the WV mountains should be the snowiest in the region today.
As of 8:30am this morning our entire coverage area is getting snow showers. I just spoke with Kenny Griffin who was at my office changing into his snow gear and heading up to Beech Mountain to enjoy the early SNOW and the 80s RETRO WEEKEND.
From one-half to one inch of snow had already fallen here so they should be in awesome shape for today’s RETRO 80s WEEKEND FUN.
Even if you guy don’t HAVE any neon or spandex clothing, you need to head up the Beech Mountain to at least take part in the fun and witness the ridiculousness of the 80s.
Saturday night brings the biggest party of the year with The Breakfast Club performing top 80’s hits. The totally retro 80’s Attire Contest is the main event of the weekend – you don’t want to miss it! First place winner receives $500! (COURTESY OF SKISOUTHEAST.COM by the way.)
Check out the Ghostbuster Car and get your picture taken with The Carolina Ghostbusters! Rossignol Demo in Beech Tree Village 9am-3pm. This is your chance to demo some of the industries best equipment for free!!
There will be a Banked Slalom Race – Registration from 9am-11am in The Beech Tree. Competition begins at 1pm.
The Breakfast Club performs in The Beech Tree Bar and Grille!! Cover charge $12 – 7:30pm
Retro 80’s Apparel Contest! $500 to first place – prizes for top 5 contestants! Registration takes place from 6:30-8:30pm in The Beech Tree. Judging begins at 9:00pm!!
HERE ARE SOME SPOT FORECASTS:
MASSANUTTEN – isn’t reporting any new, natural snow this morning, however they could be looking at a POWDER DAY today with a Winter Storm Warning in effect with 4-8″ snow forecasted. Pacesetter will be closed today and tomorrow for a USASA event. The Mega Zip and Kids Adventure Course will be closed today.
THE OMNI HOMESTEAD – is already seeing some snow this morning although they are reporting it as yet. They could see as much as TEN INCHES OF SNOW today at the Luxury, Virginia resort.
Ditto the heavy snow forecast for Wintergreen Resort.
SNOWSHOE MOUNTAIN – They are reporting .5″ of snow this morning and they an the other WV resort may see the biggest snows from this storm (as usual) with perhaps ANOTHER 8-14″ of snow today.
CANAAN VALLEY – is only reporting a TRACE of snow so far, but they too are looking at significant snow from this storm with perhaps another FOOT on top of 16″ that is laying on the ground already. Cross Country skiers?!?!?!
TIMBERLINE RESORT – I’m not sure we’ve seen conditions any better at the Davis, West Virginia resort than they are right now. More heavy snow is on the way.
WINTERPLACE RESORT – The same could be said about Winterplace. They are reporting 1″ of new snow and now 23″ of snow this week! The forecast (for some weird reason) is only for about 2-4″ of snow today…but that will take them over two feet this week!
SKISOUTHEAST / SNOWSHOE SUMMIT!??!?!?
We’re getting a LOT of emails from you guys telling us of issues in getting the SKISOUTHEAST SPECIAL when you call Snowshoe Reservationists. We’ve reached out to our contacts and unfortunately we have not heard back from them – yet. After no communication from anyone in Booking or Marketing, I have reached out to Snowshoe Mountain CEO, Frank DeBerry and I will try to get you guys some definitive answers as quickly as possible.
If you are planning on attending, just IMPRESS the reservationists to ask their supervisors and make it happen. You could also ask them to check with the Marketing Department and David Dekema.
After reaching out to all of our contacts numerous times in the last few days and after no contacts back – we’re not really certain where that leaves us. We’ll update you guys one way or the other on Sunday morning if not later today.
Stay tuned.