I realize that maybe I should be placing more urgency on planning skiing excursions now.

Do you all think that as of right now (Feb. 7) we have a few more weeks ahead of us, maybe into March for some of the more removed resorts? Or do you think it's less than that?

(This is assuming we continue to get no snowfall in the urban areas.)

I remember lean years when I was a kid and the talk about how 'we wont be skiing in April'

Last year, HiddenValley people were saying that they were talking about shutting down the 2nd week in March, obviously they stayed open due to some late snows. Springs and Holiday Valley were open even longer, with Holiday Valley in NY fully dumped on....twice after the first week of April.

So you just never know.

I can tell you that if we kept going on the pace we were going, with NO snowmaking going on, I doubt we would see much more open for another 3 weeks. The slopes were receding horribly, the ice was terrible, but the crowds were still there. Strangely though, they've done a fantastic job of pushing snow around Hidden Valley to open up their jump park after making piles of it the week prior during a few instances of snowmaking.

The potential is there this week to make snow possibly, and with more cold temps than not, and probably about 4" total new snowfall in the works, that basically extended us another week.

It may not be pretty but I think they will remain open well into March; however, they may have to push snow all over the mountain to make that happen.

Hopefully the weather has shifted though, I posted in another thread about this. This week is different, this week resembles a balmy winter week. A week without rain and 50 degree temps in the PA hills. Amazing actually.

Good question. A lot depends on when a resort will decide to "throw in the towel" and cut their losses. Most areas have a contract on electric where they pay a flat rate through the end of February for snowmaking. Once that window elapses, most areas may make in spots, but the all out onslaught of snowmaking is over. Most areas saved big dollars the past several years with the copious natural pow, but this season is very different. A lot of places didn't get open for the big dollar Christmas/New Years holiday week and have been struggling to keep afloat.

How long into March? If they have a product folks want and they are selling lift tickets, they will make anticipated closing. Otherwise, get the golf clubs out in a few weeks.

You would be foolish to put off skiing waiting for better, or hoping for an extended season.

Look at Vic's daily photos of Timberline; go now. And if somehow we get heavy snow later in Feb, or Mar, or even Apr...go again then.

You're like that kid on the diving board who won't commit......

Tried to tell him that 2 weeks ago. He who hesitates is LOST!!! (:^O)>>>

A lot of the resorts in the area close mid March during good ski seasons where there is still plenty of snow on the ground. I doubt many, if any, will try to extend the season past the beginning of March.

In this part of the ski world you have to be an opportunist. When conditions are good, when it snows, pounce on it. Develop a relationship with your employer that is tolerant of a few mental health days. Make a promise to yourself that you will JUST DO IT!

Your premise is "without snowfall". Now if this includes a general lack of snowmaking temps, with above normal temps in the major cities in the east, then I am afraid that most areas will give it up as the skiers and snow disappear.
BUT...
If we do get a colder than normal late Feb and March, coupled with cool temps in East and snow to excite the masses, then all bets are off as many frustrated snow sports lovers will begin to take to the slopes again to make up for lost time, and remember that Easter is relatively early this year.
Lets all keep our snow dances going, and our fingers crossed.
The Colonel

To the OP. I wouldn't book any trip in advance for this March, with the possible exception of the Snowy Luau weekend at T-Line. You don't risk anything, and if the season does rebound, there should be some great bargains around late season.

I should be clear that I don't have any major ski trips planned and am talking about mostly day trips to Whitetail. (Sadly, that's just what my finances/logistics dictate right now.)

I have tomorrow off, for example. For a number of reasons it doesn't make sense for me to head up to Whitetail, but I feel like I should spit on all of those reasons and just go for it, acknowledging this season is going to be over within a couple weeks.

I was also hoping to try Timberline/Canaan in early March but I know I gotta be realistic about what conditions will be like then, and possibly push up the date of that trip.

this season is going to be a bust for snofall...having said that I can't imagine that if you are talking early March to be the first week of March that conditions will be different than they are now in the valley....probably be more open w/ some more bumps infact...but I agree to just get out there and ski...maybe I'll take a break from the CAD and cruz over to the slime right now and make a lap or 2...

Survival of the snowiest...as the weak drop out the strong get the buis.
This will add to WV alpps longevity...at least it will look postcard pretty!

http://wxcaster.com/gis-snow-overlays2-10to1.php3?STATIONID=RLX

..Does Canaan have any intention of opening up one of the meadows?..They are always blowing towards the bottom..any blowing up higher?

Whitetail will shut down before anywhere else purely thanks to the fact that face SW. At the moment, even their major trails are brown with ~6-12 inches of real base. One rainstorm with temps in the 50's and they could be whipped out.

That said... we could also have the chance for a bumper 2 weeks starting this weekend with a few chances for coastal storms. So if the stars align and resorts make a major snowmaking push, we still have the chance for a decent close to the season.

If you are making any early march plans, I recommend 7 Springs, Hidden Valley, Snowshoe, or Wisp... all have great snowmaking and will be able to live through another warmup with some rain.

This bites.

Whitetail by the end of this month unless there is a dramatic turn around. All snowtime areas are in full money saving mode now and doing the bare minimum they can to salvage this weekend then they will throw in the towel. Not saying they will close but you will see a major change in attitude after monday of 'just get us through the next few weeks'. during that time they will be hyping how great they did in such adverse conditions to try to stem the inevitable outcry for refunds on season passes (this is already occurring at roundtop by quite a few passholders).

I always thought of season passes as insurance for ski areas and the pass holders are the insurers. I've never bought a season pass for any of the local areas, because if felt like too much of a gamble.

pretty much Blue....passholders give the mt their money in its a gamble BUT there is an unwritten expectation that the mountain will do all it can to have a good season. with snowtime this is the break down and where the outcry comes in. the effort jsut wasnt there this season. people aren't stupid, when the mt says they are going all out then the customer sees spotty snowmaking when temps are low, they know the mt is not living up to its end of the bargain.

i'm hoping that Snowshoe can at least make it through the first weekend in March, as I have just booked a trip there. (I've already scrapped the idea of a late March trip to VT because of the paucity of snow up there this winter.)

I've never been to Snowshoe before. Can anybody who's been recently report on the conditions there?

Thanks.

I haven't been to Snowshoe either, but I am contemplating a trip out there the weekend of 10 March with my wife and parents in-law. I am going to hold off booking for a few more weeks to see which way the weather goes. I am not too hopeful as the winter has been less snowy and warmer than average and the month long outlook is for warmer than average temps. http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/

Snowshoe having a pretty good year with pretty high attendance. 55 out of 60 trails open for the last couple of weeks. I really believe they will got to mid-late or late March.
The Colonel