---

Search DCSki:

---

Jump To:

Choose...DCSki HomeAbout DCSkiAdvertiseBargain TrackerColumnistsConditionsDemo DaysEvent ScheduleLodging FinderLost Ski AreasMessage ForumNews VaultQ & ARecent CommentsResort MapResort ProfilesSearch DCSkiSki ClubsSki SwapsSupport DCSkiWeatherWebcamsWhat's New

---

Follow DCSki on Twitter!

---

---

---

Flood of Resorts to Open This Weekend
By M. Scott Smith, DCSki Editor

December 17, 2004 — The 2004-2005 winter season has officially begun as resorts throughout the region open their slopes to skiers and boarders. A balmy November and early December prevented snowguns from firing at all but the highest-elevation resorts. That changed last weekend, as a cold front settled over the mid-Atlantic region and brought chilly temperatures. Most resorts in the mid-Atlantic had snowguns going 24/7 for most of this week, and some natural snow fell on many resorts in western Pennsylvania, western Maryland, and West Virginia.

North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Resort and West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort were the first two resorts to open for the season. Sugar Mountain opened briefly on November 26, while Snowshoe opened on December 3. Sugar Mountain now has 8 trails open, while Snowshoe has 19 trails open.

Several other resorts clocked in with season openings this week, and by the end of this weekend, nearly every resort in the region plans to be open.

North Carolina’s Ski Beech has five trails open. In Virginia, Bryce Resort and the Homestead plan to open on December 18, 2004. Massanutten and Wintergreen both plan to open on Friday, December 17.

West Virginia’s Canaan Valley Resort opened on Thursday, December 16.

“We’ve received more than a foot of natural snow over the past two days and more snow is in the forecast,” said Chuck Trader, Managing Director of Canaan Valley Resort, on Wednesday. “We’ve also been making snow since Saturday,” he added.

Timberline Resort opened two trails on Thursday and plans to open additional trails this weekend.

The White Grass Touring Center is open for cross country skiing with a 2-19 inch base.

The Winterplace Resort, also in West Virginia, plans to open December 17.

Maryland’s Wisp Resort will be opening on December 17 with 6 trails. More trails are expected to open over the next several days.

In Pennsylvania, Blue Knob has two trails open. Snow tubing is expected to open on Saturday, December 18, 2004.

Blue Mountain, Hidden Valley Resort, Montage, and Shawnee Mountain plan to open December 17. Seven Springs will be opening on December 17 with 8-10 trails available.

Ski Roundtop is opening December 17 and expects to have Minuteman, Fife & Drum, Fanny Hill, the Discovery Area and the Incubator Park open.

Liberty Mountain Resort plans to open on December 18 with its largest opening day trail count yet, thanks to snowmaking improvements over the summer that allow snow to be made simultaneously on the front and back sides of the mountain.

Whitetail Resort will also be opening on December 18. On opening day, skiing and snowboarding should be available on Almost Home, Velvet, Northern Lights, Snowpark, Stalker, Upper and Lower Angel Drop, and the Jib Junction Terrain Park.

Big Boulder, Camelback, and Jack Frost also plan to open on December 18.

Mystic Mountain plans to be open on Saturday and Sunday.

Laurel Mountain, now known as the Springs at Laurel Mountain and operated by Seven Springs Resort, will re-open this season after being closed last season. December 21 is the targeted opening date for Laurel Mountain.

Many resorts will be offering discounted lift tickets during the beginning of the season; contact a resort directly to find out what specials may be available. DCSki also recommends contacting a resort before planning a trip; opening date information can change, and some resorts offer limited hours early in the season.

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: 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.

 

 

---

---

There are no reader comments on this article yet, but that just means you can be the first to add one! To add a comment, scroll below or click here.

Your Comments Share your comments on this article with other DCSki readers by filling out the form below. Please note that DCSki reserves the right to edit or remove comments. By sharing your comments, you agree that they can be published throughout DCSki. Also note that embedded HTML is not allowed in comments. Your Name: Subject: Your Comments:

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.

Copyright © 1994-2013 DCSki, LLC. All rights reserved. You may not reproduce any portion of DCSki, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of DCSki's Editor. Comments posted on these pages do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of DCSki, LLC or its Editor. Although DCSki, LLC attempts to verify the accuracy of the information it publishes, DCSki, LLC cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Verify current conditions, operating schedule, and events directly with a resort prior to making a visit. You may view DCSki's Privacy Policy here.