Mid Atlantic Resorts Open For Business Thanks To Sustained Cold

10th December 2009 | Mary Jo Tarallo, Associate Editor

Resorts in this article: Appalachian Ski Mountain, Beech Mountain Resort, Big Boulder, Blue Knob, Blue Mountain Ski Area, Camelback Mountain Resort, Canaan Valley Resort, Cataloochee Ski Area, Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort, Jack Frost, Seven Springs, Ski Denton, Sno Mountain, Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Sugar Mountain Resort, Timberline Four Seasons, Wisp, Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Resorts in the Mid Atlantic finally caught a break in the form of sustained cold weather, and are taking advantage of the drop in temps to make snow. Some natural snow also fell in last weekend's storm, putting skiers and riders in the mood for winter.

North Carolina led the way in the Mid Atlantic when Sugar Mountain and Cataloochee opened Thanksgiving weekend on machine snow. Cataloochee closed again when the weather warmed. They were joined by Appalachian Ski Mtn. where three trails opened on Dec. 6 and expanded to seven the next day. Beech and Wolf Ridge open Dec. 11. Average base depths are 12 to 28 inches.

Wisp Resort in Maryland opened Thursday, Dec. 10 just in time for its 54^th birthday celebration Dec. 13 and 14 when the resort is offering $7 lift tickets among other incentives. Five inches of natural snow fell on the slopes last week.

West Virginia's Canaan Valley will open Saturday, Dec. 12 for its 38^th anniversary with four trails and a base of 12 to 48 inches. Timberline just down the road received a foot of snow in the latest storm and will open Saturday as well. Snowshoe opened on Dec. 5, first area in West Virginia. It also was the first time in 30 years that the resort opened both its Basin and Silver Creek area. A total of 38 acres are open, with a base that averages 14 to 24 inches.

Pennsylvania resorts are following suit with Big Boulder taking first-to-open honors on Dec. 6. This is a big weekend for the state. Seven Springs opened on Dec. 10 with 16 to 20 inches of mostly machine-made snow although the resort is benefitting from the Midwest storm moving across the country. Five trails are open. Lift tickets are discounted $10 on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12-13, for anyone who brings a Toys for Tots donation. Neighbor Hidden Valley is offering free skiing on Dec. 13 to anyone who brings two canned goods for charity.

Blue Knob, Blue Mountain, Elk and Hidden Valley open Friday, Dec. 11. Camelback, Jack Frost, Bear Creek, Denton and Sno Mountain follow the next day on Dec. 12