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Mother Nature Delivers Early Holiday Gift to Mid-Atlantic Skiers: Some of the Best Pre-January Conditions on Record
By M. Scott Smith, DCSki Editor

December 24, 2009 — Mother Nature delivered an early holiday gift to mid-Atlantic ski areas, dumping up to three feet of fresh snow the weekend before Christmas and keeping temperatures low enough to fire snowguns around the clock. As a result, many ski areas should have close to 100% of their terrain open in the coming days.

“If the forecast and our snowmaking equipment cooperate, we should have almost perfect skiing for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays,” said Hank Thiess, general manager of Wintergreen Resort. The Virginia ski area currently has a base depth of 24 to 36 inches, and plans to have 100% of its terrain open by the weekend.

West Virginia ski areas are also digging out of ample snow, and plan to head into the holidays strong.

“The snow storm was exactly what we needed with the busy Christmas season beginning this week,” said Terry Pfeiffer, President of the West Virginia Ski Areas Association.

“The Department of Highway crews have done a great job in clearing the roads, allowing skiers and snowboarders to safely arrive at the resorts across the state.”

West Virginia ski areas are expecting over 200,000 skier visits during the next three weeks.

On Christmas Eve, Canaan Valley Resort had 30 of 39 trails open, including the Darkside of the Moon. The West Virginia resort plans to open the Gravity and Timber Run trails in time for Christmas, as well as the tube park.

Snowshoe Mountain Resort has nearly 200 acres of terrain open, and just opened Cupp Run, its 1.5-mile long expert slope that has a 1,500-foot vertical. Adventure activities at Snowshoe, including snowmobiling, are also open.

Pennsylvania ski areas benefitted from the recent snowstorm and have been making snow aggressively over the past week. Liberty Mountain Resort is now 100% open just in time for Christmas, with an average base of 28-36 inches and groomed packed powder conditions. Sister area Ski Roundtop is 98% open.

On Christmas Eve, Whitetail Resort opened the expert Far Side trail and also opened its brand new Half Pipe. Every trail at Whitetail is now open except for Fanciful, which should open soon.

Seven Springs Resort had 33 trails open on Christmas Eve, with a base depth of 18-30 inches and packed powder conditions. Hidden Valley Resort had 12 runs open with a base depth of 16-40 inches.

In western Maryland, Wisp has opened over 70% of its trails and plans to open more soon with continued aggressive snowmaking.

The combination of snow and cold has brought some of the best December skiing conditions in many years to the mid-Atlantic region. The natural snow has also allowed cross country skiers to get in on the fun. For example, the White Grass Touring Center, located in Canaan Valley, West Virginia, has 31 miles of cross country trails open.

The forecast calls for continued cold temperatures. Friday may bring some mixed precipitation to the region, so check weather forecasts before venturing out. Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the forecast calls for continued cold temperatures, allowing snowmaking to continue. DCSki recommends bringing goggles in case resorts are making snow on your favorite trails.

Related DCSki Stories:

Firsthand Report: Liberty Mountain Resort (March 25)
Connie Lawn provides a late-season Firsthand Report from Liberty Mountain Resort, which recently held a “bring your pets to the slope” event. Liberty plans to stay open through March 30, 2013, conditions permitting.

“Hope on the Slopes” Event Comes to Canaan Valley Resort March 1-2, 2013 (February 20)
The 2nd annual “Hope on the Slopes” event is returning to West Virginia’s Canaan Valley Resort March 1-2, 2013, to help raise funds on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

Firsthand Report: Whitetail Resort (February 20)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman visited Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Resort over the Presidents Day holiday weekend, discovering prime conditions. They provide this Firsthand Report, describing Whitetail’s Adaptive program and sharing plans for future enhancements by Whitetail General Manager Don MacAskill.

Firsthand Report: Wintergreen Wahoo (February 14)
Jim Kenney has been skiing at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort for the past 25 years. That tradition continued with a visit this past weekend, where Jim found Wintergreen’s 25 trails dressed in wonderful snow. Jim provides this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: Snö Mountain (February 12)
DCSki Columnist Lou Botta recently returned to Snö Mountain, where he discovered great skiing, but dining options that left a bit to be desired. He provides this Firsthand Report.

Firsthand Report: Roundtop Mountain Resort (February 9)
Ed Fowler describes a recent trip to Roundtop Mountain Resort, finding good snow conditions, less crowded slopes, and hardly any lift lines.

Firsthand Report: Ninth Annual Warriors Conference at Wintergreen (January 27)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman spent the past weekend at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort, attending activities for Wounded Warriors. They filed this Firsthand Report.
(5 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe in the Rain (January 22)
Can skiing in the pelting rain at Snowshoe be fun? If you’re DCSki Columnist Matthew Graham, it sure can be. He describes his recent rainy adventure in this Firsthand Report.
(1 reader comment)

Firsthand Report: Snowshoe Mountain Resort (January 13)
Connie Lawn and Charles Sneiderman spent the weekend at West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort. They filed this Firsthand Report.
(7 reader comments)

Firsthand Report: Whitetail Resort (January 4)
A midweek escape to Pennsylvania’s Whitetail Resort on Thursday revealed the perfect skiing trifecta: plenty of sun, plenty of snow, and no crowds. DCSki’s Editor provides this Firsthand Report from his first turns of the season.
(3 reader comments)

About the Author

M. Scott Smith is the founder and Editor of DCSki. Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer. To read other articles by Scott, click here.

 

 

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Canaan Valley Resort: Canaan Valley Resort, located outside Davis, West Virginia features 39 slopes for beginner, intermediate, and advanced West Virginia skiing. With a vertical drop of 850 feet and the longest run at 6,000 feet, the experience is as challenging as you want it to be. Night skiing is also offered during holiday and prime ski weekends. The resort features a 150 room lodge and 23 cabins/cottages for your convenience. Additional winter sports include XC skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, airboarding and ice skating. An indoor swimming pool, fitness center, whirlpool and saunas are also available after a day on the slopes. Liberty Mountain Resort: Located about an hour from both the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. areas, Liberty Mountain Resort is the perfect place for a mountain getaway! Whether you are searching for adventure or relaxation, our mountainside amenities are sure to treat you. Our mountain boasts over 100 acres of skiable terrain, including 16 trails, 3 terrain parks, and a large tubing hill. Our Ski and Snowboard Schools offer a wide variety of lessons for both beginners and advanced. Boulder Ridge Snow Tubing features 15 tubing lanes, party rooms, and food and beverage, creating a fun atmosphere for everyone. Take a "snowcation" by lodging in the slopeside Liberty Hotel and dining in one of many eateries, including the popular McKee's Tavern. Seven Springs Resort: Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the perfect place to escape with your family this winter and reconnect! At Seven Springs, you'll find a mountain of fun - skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoe tours, a luxurious spa, sporting clays, delicious dining, nightlife and more. Enjoy a mountain of fun on 285 acres of slopes and trails including beginner trails, black diamond slopes, mogul runs and five terrain parks. Come up to Seven Springs this winter and make a new memory. What are you waiting for? You really should be here! Whitetail Resort: Head to Whitetail for some of the best skiing and riding in the mid Atlantic Region! Enjoy nearly 1,000 feet of vertical and the Region's only High Speed Quad Chairlift. Spend less time on the road and more time carving down some expert terrain like Bold Decision or intermediate favorites Limelight and Snow Dancer! Don't worry, there is plenty of fun to be had for all ability levels, and for freestylers be sure to check out Jib Junction Terrain Park (not for the faint of heart)! We even have Park Place 101 for the beginner freestyler! Don't forget about Whitetail Adventure Tubing, fun for all ages! Wintergreen Resort: Wintergreen Resort is an 11,000-acre, four-season resort located in the Blue Ridge Mountains three hours from Washington, D.C. With accommodations ranging in size from studio condominiums to 9-bedroom homes, your winter escape has all the comforts of home. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding on 26 slopes and snowtubing in Virginia's largest park; Ridgely's Fun Park for young children; ice skating, a zipline; indoor tennis; a spa with indoor pool and hot tubs; and a variety of enticing dining options. Overnight packages offer great value and savings, call 800-266-2444 or book online - www.wintergreenresort.com. For more information, call (434) 325-2200.

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