Well, I’ll start off the this morning with some semi-big news. Sugar Mountain will be ending their season tomorrow at 4:30. Mike informed me of this as soon as I walked in the door this morning and said he heard it on the radio. Sure enough, their website is saying they will be having their usual end of season celebrations tomorrow afternoon consisting of snow burning and hot dogs. I’m kind of curious to see what snow burning is. I guess they just throw some snow over a fire and watch it melt?
I, along with a lot of people I know, have a love/hate relationship with Sugar. They are always the first resort around here to open up for the winter, have some of the best snowmaking, and most importantly, they really do have the best terrain in North Carolina. On the other hand, they have the SLOWEST lift in America and their prices can be kind of high. They can also get ridiculously crowded during peak weekends. Regardless, I am bummed to see them closing up shop for the season. I started my season there all the way back on November 6th, and I might just have to get up there tonight for one final session of the year. I really thought they would make it to Sunday, but I guess with the quickly deteriorating conditions an
d low customer turnout it’s not worth it to stay open any longer. It is nice to see them closing with pretty decent coverage. They have had a tendency in the past to stay open with numerous bare spots and mud patches showing through, so it’s good to see them calling it quits before it gets too bad.
<<<This is a pic I took from Sugar’s opening day back on November 6th.
I’m sure the upcoming weather had a hand in deciding their closing date as well. It looks like there will be some rain (yeah I said it) up into West Virginia and Virginia beginning today. Then tomorrow, North Carolina will see some of the same as Wednesday night has the likely probability for thunderstorms. You know, over the past month or so we have definitely seen our fair share of rain. It seems like we are in a storm cycle where once a week we see some significant precipitation, and not the good kind. Oh well, it is what it is and all good things must come to an end I guess. It is nearing April after all.
I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately, but definitely get out there on the slopes this week if you can. It may be all mashed potatoes and slush and what not, but it’s still a good time. There’s still a lot of terrain to be ridden. Heck, Snowshoe even has 41 trails still open. That’s the entire main mountain! App still has good coverage with some fun terrain park stuff up, and Sugar will still have all three blacks open through tomorrow. There’s still plenty of fun to be had.
Scanning across the region…
Appalachian Ski Mountain – 57°- Open on 9 of 12 trails today with a groomed surface. Hardcore and Thin Slice have been added to the list, albeit a short one, of closed trails. I was there late last week and it was getting a bit then through there. Their late season rates continue to be in effect this week, their final one of the season. This weekend they will be holding the Meltdown Games. It is a fun way to end the season and I myself will probably be out there for at least one of the days. You can click here for more info on it.
Sugar Mountain – 52.4°- Open today on 11 of 20 trails with a loose granular surface. As I already mentioned, they will be closing for the season tomorrow and having their annual Burning of the Snow.
Snowshoe Mountain – 40°- They are open on 41 of 60 trails today with a loose granular surface. Here’s what they have to say – “We thought we were getting lucky yesterday when what was predicted to be somewhat of a wash-out of the day actually turned out very nice. The sun made a few appearances, temperatures were comfortable and there wasn’t a raindrop in sight. Unfortunately, Mother Nature proved how fickle she can be, and just as the lifts stopped turning yesterday evening, the clouds rolled in with the rain and thunderstorms began. That weather continues this morning, and should for the better part of the day. We may see periodic thunderstorm activity which will cause a weather hold on all lifts on the mountain. Please pay attention to Snowshoe personnel and signage to ensure safety.
Due to the overnight weather conditions, our groomers were not able to get out last night. A select few beginner slopes, as well as the large terrain park are the only areas that were groomed overnight. Please be aware of possible variable conditions today. There may be areas of standing water, as well as thin and bare spots. But even with the rain overnight, we continue to ski and ride on more than 150 acres and 41 of 42 basin slopes. Hopefully Mother Nature plays nice for the remainder of the week and we’re able to hang on to all of that terrain right on through closing day on Sunday. The forecast does look MUCH better as we head into the later part of the week. In fact, it looks like we could get 1 TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW on Thursday. What a welcome gift that would be! That would provide some absolutely phenomenal conditions as we close out the season this weekend. Friday should be a sunny day, and rather chilly for this time of year, so don’t pack up your winter gear just yet!
With that great weather moving in, don’t forget that you can enjoy the region’s MOST open terrain and ski and ride TOTALLY FREE THIS WEEK! That’s right; purchase any lodging stay between today and the end of the season on March 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 this week 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. This Saturday, March 26th we’ll host our annual Last Hurrah celebration, complete with pond skimming contest, great tunes from DJ Judd, a survivor’s party at Moonshine pub and great prizes. So don’t put those skis or board away just yet, head up to the mountain and get in those last turns of the season FOR FREE!!!
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 – 47°- Open on 7 of 32 trails today with a groomed surface. Today is Student Day and they will also be having tubing tonight from 5-9pm. Wisp is still saying they are trying to make it until April 3rd, but we will see.
Wintergreen – 53° – They are closed this week and plan to re-open Saturday for one final day of skiing and riding.
Timberline – 43°- Open today on 30 of 39 trails with a loose granular surface. This coming weekend they will be having the Locals Cup and other closing weekend festivities as they will be ending their season on Sunday.