Updated: 1-28-08 |
Snow, snow, snow…it seems every time you glance outside, more of that beautiful white stuff is falling from the sky this month. Last week we had a total of just about 8”, and the last two weeks have provided about 31” of fresh powder, bringing our total for the month of January to over 40”. Our base depths keep improving, which means Feb and March skiing should be absolutely great, and we’ve had powder day after powder day, something we don’t usually experience here on the “Ice [East, for those of you not familiar with our not-so-flattering nickname] Coast”.
As I wrote last week, January has also provided lots of consistent cold weather, which has been great for our snowmakers. They’ve literally been stockpiling the stuff in places out there, giving themselves some large piles to push around during the warm (and possibly wet) weather we’re expecting mid-week. It’s funny, I’ve been asked several times by guests, “where do you keep the extra snow?” People seem to think that we make more snow than we need out on the slopes and can keep it in some kind of huge refrigerator for a rainy day.
Trust me when I tell you, if we could make more snow, we would. But we wouldn’t have it sitting in a warehouse somewhere, we’d put it where it counts, out on the slopes for our guests to enjoy. We have the snow guns going as much as we possibly can in order to get those base depths up and have the best conditions possible. Unfortunately, when conditions demand it, that means having guns on around the clock, including during the time the slopes are open. If we didn’t have to do this, we wouldn’t. No one likes skiing or riding with snow blasting in their face, including those of us lucky enough to work on the mountain. If we could, we’d make “extra” snow, that would allow us to only run snowmaking overnight, but this just isn’t possible.
In fact, a couple weeks ago, we had the closest thing to “perfect” snowmaking weather that you can get—nice cold, dry air. We had almost 250 guns working overnight, and we were using so much air and water, we almost tapped ourselves out. Snowmaking is a complicated process that involves a lot of variables, and so when the stars align themselves and Mother Nature smiles down on us, we take full advantage. That brings me back to where I started this little tangent; the recent conditions have been so amazing, we’ve taken the opportunity to make snow and keep it in large piles, “snow whales”, so that when weather patterns change and we get a few days when we’re not able to make snow, we still have some fresh stuff to push around out there. This is especially important in the sections of the mountain that can get thinned out pretty quickly; the areas around lift lines, trail merges, our teaching area, etc.
With a base as deep as we have now, and trust me when I tell you it is DEEP in some spots, we are afforded these kinds of luxuries. But as I said earlier, the most important thing for us is to have the best conditions possible, every single day. So you won’t see piles of snow on the trails that haven’t been open as long (aka haven’t built up the same depth we have on something like Skidder Slope). For these trails, when we’re able to make snow, its hitting the slopes, being groomed out, and then enjoyed by you!
Ok, enough on that. The bottom line is that January has been absolutely fantastic. We opened a handful of new slopes last week and we’re now just one slope away from being 100% open. Lower Shay’s Revenge, our double-black diamond steep in the Western Territory, is the only trail not opened. That means we have plenty of terrain for every ability skier and rider. There’s 234 acres of skiable terrain available out there, including all three new slopes in the South Mountain Area. So even Snowshoe regulars have some new territory to explore and enjoy. We also have spent lots of time (meaning many late nights for the Terrain Park Crew) revamping existing features and adding new ones in our Terrain Park Areas. All four areas have a great collection of features, and we’ve been able to diversify our offerings so as to offer features for a variety of skill levels, too.
We want everyone who is fearless enough to catch some air and try some tricks to be able to, but it’s very important that skiers and boarders remember their skill level and not try to outdo themselves. This only leads to injuries, and often they occur in the Parks, when someone gets extra confident and goes for something they just aren’t ready for. Now of course improving and learning new skills will inevitably lead to a few bumps and bruises; just remember that if it’s you first time trying the park out, you probably shouldn’t be soaring off the largest jumps or hitting the highest rails.
Well, this weekend is the infamous Cuervo Games of Winter, which I’ve been hearing about since I arrived at Snowshoe in June. As is traditionally the case, the weekend will be packed full of great party events and amusing on-the-snow competition, and will wrap up with the best hangover cure I can think of; The Cupp Run Challenge, a race down our 1.5 mile, 1,500’ signature slope. Good Times!
If you can get the time off, or come down with a very convenient cold, get up here. Conditions can’t be beat and snow is once again in the forecast of the end of the week. Think Snow!
