Updated 12-26-07 |
Another Christmas has come and gone at Snowshoe, but Mother Nature continues to provide the gift of cold weather to the resort. After a brief break in snowmaking last weekend, the guns have been back on around the clock for several days. While daytime temperatures for the end of the week are forecasted to be in the mid-30s, nighttime lows should allow snowmaking to take place across the resort.
While any snowmaking is big news in this business, we've got some truly headline-worthy info this week: The entire length of Cupp Run is now covered in a base of several inches of snow. Last Friday, the guns started layering the white stuff on our 1.5mile, 1,500' vertical signature, and opening day for the Western Territory is projected for just after the New Year. We know plenty of people plan their Snowshoe escapes for later in the season to ensure that Cupp and its sister slope, Shay's Revenge, are open, so we're pleased to let everyone know that we should only be a week or so away. Snowmaking hasn't yet begun on Shay's, but as soon we people are able to get that wobbly-leg feeling they love on Cupp, the guns will be moved over to Shays. The hope is to have both Western Territory slopes open by the end of January.
Friday was an exciting day on the mountain, as not only did we start to prepare Cupp Run, but we also opened the first of three new slopes in the South Mountain area. Sawmill run opened with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony by Snowshoe President and COO Bill Rock, Sawmill Village developer Tom Treathaway—Sawmill Village donated nearly $1million towards the trails' construction—and Snowshoe's VP of Mountain Operations, and the designer of the new trails, Ed Galford. With tunes jamming in the background, the three men cut the ribbon and Bill and Ed took off for the first official run down the slope. Quite a crowd had gathered for the 10am opening, and the first 100 skiers and riders to pass through the ribbon were lucky enough to score a free "First 100" t-shirt commemorating the day.
Sawmill became a crowd favorite over the weekend. Advanced skiers and riders are happy to have a true black diamond open, with the trail offering a steep, challenging pitch, up to 55% in some spots. Snowshoe regulars have expressed excitement over having new terrain to explore, and the South Mountain expansion has really brought that area of the mountain to life. Serviced by the year-old Soaring Eagle Express high-speed quad, guests are able to get plenty of runs on the new trail, without having to spend too much time on the lift. The mountain operations team hopes to have Sawmill Glades and Camp 99, the additional new slopes, open in the coming weeks.
With 2008 now just days away, Snowshoe is in great shape. Conditions are amazing, we've got the most open terrain in the region—37 slopes as of Wednesday—and with 11 lifts open, holiday lines have been kept to a minimum. There's also plenty to do should you need to give your legs a rest. Catch some speed (while sitting down) on one of our adrenaline-fueled snowmobile tours. Both snomo and snowcat tours are up and running for the season, and more popular than ever (aka book now!). Our tubing hill also offers a great thrill, and a break for those knees, and once you're ready to head inside, all of our restaurants and bars have great New Year's Eve parties planned. Next week also brings three incredible DJ acts to the mountain, as we kick back with our annual College Winter Break weekend, January 3-6 at the Connection.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
