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Snowmaking Underway as Resorts Eye Opening Dates
By M. Scott Smith, DCSki Editor

December 2, 2010 — Weather was a bit finicky in November, making a pre-Thanksgiving opening date just outside the grasp of most mid-Atlantic ski areas. In North Carolina, Sugar Mountain grabbed a temporary opening date on November 6, 2010 when it opened a slope. Warm temperatures forced Sugar Mountain to close on November 14, but the resort re-opened on November 27. Five slopes are now open at Sugar Mountain.

Other mid-Atlantic resorts are poised to join Sugar Mountain by launching their 2010-2011 winter season in the coming days.

In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain Resort had hoped to open some runs by Thanksgiving, but with limited opportunities for snowmaking, decided to hold off. Snowshoe is now planning on opening for the season on December 8. Timberline Resort is planning to begin its season on December 9, while Cannan Valley and Winterplace should begin running the lifts on December 11.

“Temperatures are starting to turn colder and that’s good news,” said Terry Pfeiffer, who serves as President of Winterplace Ski Resort as well as the West Virginia Ski Areas Association.

West Virginia ski areas have teamed together this winter to offer a “Mountain Pass.” The Mountain Pass is a booklet of tickets including 30 vouchers for skiing and snowboarding at Timberline, Snowshoe, Canaan Valley, and Winterplace, as well as 10 vouchers at the state’s nordic areas. 140 total vouchers are included; each voucher can be traded for a single lift ticket anytime during the 2010-2011 winter season. Priced at $2400, the Mountain Pass is geared towards families and companies looking to reward employees; for more information contact the West Virginia Ski Areas Association at 304-720-5471.

To the north of West Virginia ski areas, Maryland’s Wisp Resort is currently making snow on over one dozen trails and should be opening soon. Wisp has not yet announced an opening date.

On December 2, Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort reported that it had over 100 snowguns firing. Wintergreen plans to open on either December 10 or 11, depending on upcoming conditions. Massanutten Resort has also begun snowmaking operations, but it not prepared to announce an opening date yet.

In Pennsylvania, Whitetail, Liberty, and Roundtop Mountain Resorts celebrated the beginning of December (and the arrival of a welcome cold front) by firing up their snowmaking systems. The three resorts have not announced an opening date yet.

Seven Springs has been making snow aggressively and will begin its season on Saturday, December 4.

“Our team did an amazing job preparing the mountain for opening day,” said Dick Barron, Director of Skiing at the Pennsylvania resort. “Their tireless efforts will provide our guests with a great beginning to a wonderful season.”

Seven Springs plans to have 6-8 slopes and trails open on December 4 and 5, with three chairlifts and one surface lift running. The mountain will be open 9 am to 4 pm both days, with $32 ski/board adult tickets and $22 child tickets. Seven Springs is also inviting midweek season passholders to ski during the December 4-5 weekend.

After opening weekend, Seven Springs will close on Monday, December 6 to focus on extensive snowmaking. A re-opening date will be announced sometime next week.

Hidden Valley Resort plans to open two teaching areas on Sunday, December 5. On that day, the Pennsylvania ski area will offer free skiing and snowboarding lessons to first time skiers and snowboarders 5 years of age or older. Reservations are required; for more information and restrictions, call Hidden Valley at 814-443-8000. Hidden Valley expects that it will be able to open the slopes for general skiing and snowboarding during the December 11-12 weekend.

The long-term forecast shows continued cold temperatures, with nighttime temperatures comfortably below freezing and the potential for some natural snow at high-elevation resorts this weekend. Based on current weather trends, DCSki expects that most mid-Atlantic ski areas will be able to begin their season around December 10-11. Since early-season conditions can be variable and operating hours can be limited, be sure to contact resorts directly to verify operating status before making a trip.

Related DCSki Stories:

Firsthand Report: Snowy Luau at Timberline Resort (March 25)
Jim Kenney thought he was done writing trip reports for the 2012-2013 season, but after one last trip to Timberline Resort in West Virginia, he had to share. He describes the Snowy Luau festival and prime late season conditions at Timberline.
(1 reader comment)

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)

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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