I am thinking about a trip to Snowshoe Dec. 18 to 20.  The long term weather forecast is looking favorable for snow making and good conditions.  However, I have never been to Snowshoe this early in the season.    Given the forecast, what are your opinions for open terrain/trails? 

Could I expect the Western Territory, Widowmaker, Camp99, or the Silver Creek area to be open?

Obviously, I will watch the snow report and weather, but I am tying to plan ahead and wanted to get some opinions on what I might expect this early in the season.

Thanks.

Forgot to mention - what should I expect in the form of crowds this early in the season?  Dec. 18 to 20 is Wednesday to Friday.  I expect it will be busy Dec. 21 to Jan. 4th, but was hoping to avoid crowds and get my season started.

I had a beer with a mountain ops guy on Friday night.  He told me they were planning to move agressively on Cupp and Shays this week. I did not ask about Silver Creek + Soaring Eagle.   He said they are pushing hard to get a ton of trails open since their "Christmas season" really begins Friday, Dec 20.

When I left on Sat, they were blowing hard at the top of Cupp as well as a bunch of trails in the basin area that were not open yet.

Regarding crowds ..... You'll love being there Wed - Fri.  Usually not crowded at all. 

Today's forecast calls for 3 - 7".

I agree with Blue Don, minimum crowd those dates.  Last minute reservations probably easy to come by   Suggest staying in village.  Likely that what ever is open on Monday-Tues of that week will be open on Wed-Fri.  As  Blue Don said, they are aggressively  pushing snowmaking for Christmas-New Years period which may mean trails with active snowmaking might not yet be open mid-week.  They had Widowmaker trail and connection to Ballhooter trails open fairly early last year.  Perhaps a bit of a trade off:  minimum crowds with a bit more limited terrain than you would prefer.  Good trade in my opinion!

The Colonel

They posted on their FB page that Widomaker and Silver Creek may open this weekend.  Of course, they covered their arse and said to check back for updates.

I know many folks do not use Facebook but it appears many of the ski resorts use it as a portal for sending out info.  I check Snowshoe's everyday as it seems to be more "up to date".  They also do a decent job of answering questions there. 

Thanks for the insight Blue Don and Colonel!  Appreciate it.  If you get the inside track on any more information, please share it.  I will try to track down the FB page.  I assume there is a link on the there main webpage.  I will be watching that too.   I need to commit one way or the other by Friday (or maybe Thursday), so I need to get that "crystal ball" (or snow globe) working!

I need to commit one way or the other by Friday (or maybe Thursday), so I need to get that “crystal ball” (or snow globe) working!

This is as good a December for skiing as you are going to get in the Mid Atlantic.

I would be surprised if they open those trails before the 20th, but you should have slopes pretty much to yourself on the 18th and 19th. I would guess they would keep trying to build the base up before the crowds show up.

+1 on the FB page, they keep that thing updated, and seem honest about what they expect to happen in the future. You might pose the same question on the FB page, they do answer questions sometimes.