Updated: 2-18-08 |
Mother Nature really can’t seem to make up her mind when it comes to weather conditions this winter. After another brief mild spell, temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day today, with drizzle turning over to snow and a winter storm expected to drop up to half a foot of snow on the mountain in the next several days. We didn’t make snow overnight last night, and much of the mountain is ungroomed this morning, but with the freezing temperatures on the way, snowmaking should occur for the next several days, and conditions should get better and better as the week goes on. It’s hard to believe that last night temperatures hovered around 40 degrees, and tonight windchills should plunge below zero.
While the changing weather may be frustrating to some, it has conditions in great shape as we start looking towards March. Our snow totals for the season are a little off pace for our seasonal average, but we’ve had some of the highest snow totals in the region, and long stretches of cold weather have allowed our expert snowmaking crews to do what they do best. With the natural snow in the forecast and a return to cold temperatures, more than a foot of new snow could be added to the slopes this week, ensuring our amazing base will get an extra boost as we head into the home stretch of the season. With more than a month of skiing and riding left, we should see base totals of more than 50”, which means there will be plenty of snow left, even when we close the doors on the season at the end of March.
I’ve had some questions about whether we’ll reach the 100% open benchmark this season. Unfortunately, I don’t really have a concrete answer. Lower Shay’s Revenge is the only slope we have yet to open this season, but with some luck and help from Mother Nature, we may be able to get it open for March. While we always aim to open every trail on the mountain, our most important goal is to have the terrain that is open in the best shape possible. Our snowmakers and groomers have a structured plan of attack each season that has us systematically open terrain beginning in the middle basin area and moving out to the South Mountain and Northern Track neighborhoods. It’s important that we have sustainable snow in each area before we move onto the next. In the next few days our snowmakers will make sure we have amazing base totals in all other areas, and then will they move across the street and start hitting Lower Shay’s, if the forecast implies that they’ll have enough cold weather to get the slope covered and in great shape for skiing and riding. The good news is that is looks like temperatures will be nice and cold around the clock. With smaller mid-week crowds, we’ll probably have the guns going as much of possible, including day shots. This 24-hour cycle obviously allows us to produce more snow in the areas where we need it, and gives us the best chance of being able to get Lower Shay’s open before we start to cut back on snowmaking efforts as the end of the season nears.
It is really hard to believe that we’re already talking about March and the end of the season. For me, this season has absolutely flown by. I still refer to myself as a newbie, but in fact I’ve been on the mountain for almost 9 months now. Even in that amount of time, I have yet to take advantage of all the activities offered on the mountain. I can’t wait to finally take one of our guided snowmobile tours, and hopefully with some natural snowfall I can get in a day or two of snowshoeing before the season is over. The next month has so much in store; I’m sure its going to go by just as fast as the rest of the season has. I’m really looking forward to our new “Fifth Season” events. The Homegrown Music Festival is bringing some of the best bands in the region to the mountain for a rocking weekend. Most Snowshoe regulars are familiar with the Davisson Brothers Band, who play frequently during both the summer and winter season. They’ve quickly become a favorite of mine, and they’ll be joined by several other great acts March 14-15. That weekend will also feature some hilarious “Homegrown Games”. I know I’ll have the camera ready for the bobbin’ for pigs’ feet and spam eating contents, and I’m sure we’ll have some very “artistic” creations in the beer can sculpting contest. Overall, I think this is going to become one of my favorite event weekends…although it might be outdone just a week later with the Champagne and Chocolate Weekend…so much to look forward too!
If you haven’t visited us yet this season, you’re about to miss out, so be sure to check out our Hot Deals section and book your March escape today. Don’t let the winter pass you by without getting outside and having some fun at the region’s biggest and best winter destination!
