Mid-Atlantic/Southeast skiing (PA, NJ, DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, TN) for 2023-24

[HikenSki]

I tore the ACL in Jan 22 and had surgery in March. I had hamstring graft done. Did PT 2 times a week for 9 months and then once a week for another two. I had lots of strength but the fear and trepidation was too much and it was like I had never skied before. I dialed the training way back due to sciatic nerve issues and just feeling burned out. Turns out that was what I needed to reduce inflammation and fluid in the knee. I just took it easy, walked, jogged a little, did hiking and camping. I’ve picked running back up and am upping the strength training now in anticipation for a trip in January. Knee still feels funky like I need to pop it like a knuckle. Guess thats not uncommon.

 

[HikenSki]

Hmm, maybe there should be a Timberline MOTH thread. I'll be there midweek in early January. Thinking of going back with my friend's teen later in the season too. She learned at Massanutten starting as a young tween and hasn't skied anywhere else yet.

I have no doubt you'll get comfortable on skis again.

Let me know via PM if you want suggestions for an instructor at Timberline.

Thanks. I have no doubt I’ll get comfortable over time. I ski just fine in my dreams and when I visualize myself going down the runs.

 

[marzNC]

Anyone ski Blue Mountain as a home mountain? Sounds like a lot of work to upgrade snowmaking infrastructure went on over the summer. Now that Blue is on Ikon, I would guess that there will be people curious to check it out this season who have never been there before.

August 2023

"We are giving you a behind the scenes look at the upgrades we're making to our snowmaking system for the 2023/24 winter season. This project includes adding 76 Techno Alpin Stick Guns and 26 Techno Alpin Fan Guns, all fully automated. You can look forward to having more slopes open with better snow conditions earlier than ever!"

 

[marzNC]

Massanutten and Bryce have started snowmaking! Looks like more than just testing snow guns. The forecast temps at night in the next week look good for making good progress on building up a base for the core trails.

SkiSoutheast is ramping up their reports. Almost all the webcams around the southeast resorts were put up by SkiSE in the last decade.

 

[marzNC]

Massanutten has a new webcam at the peak. Also hooked up with WeatherSTEM. The live data includes Wet Bulb, which is key for snowmaking. Snowguns are on tonight. Should more good snowmaking conditions later next week for a few nights. For building a base, having wetter snow is okay. Laying down even a thin layer will help cool the ground in preparation for colder temps coming soon.



Wet bulb table

 

[marzNC]

Snowmaking has started in earnest in NC, VA, and WV. Timberline has snowguns blasting all over the mountain as of 1:30pm on Nov. 27. I think every resort has at least tested their snowguns. The forecast temps the next few nights are well below 30, so there could be snowguns on into mid-morning. Makes it worth while to check webcams after the sun comes up.

 

[HikenSki]

We were giddy like kids to see Timberline blasting snow big time yesterday and heard they will do so through the week so long as the temps cooperate. They have a top-notch snowmaking team so they will get a base built quick. We are looking at a visit the first week in January. Time to really dive into the strength training and workouts to prep the legs and core!

 

[marzNC]

Fair to say that all the resorts covered in this MidA/SE conditions thread from NC to PA will have great snowmaking weather tonight and for a few more nights this week. For the resorts with webcams, it's easy to see that as of 11pm they are firing every snowgun they can have on simultaneously.

BradP has done his first video forecast for SkiSE. It's a great one for snowmaking this week. The season has started!

November 28, 2023

 

[marzNC]

Timberline has made enough snow in the last couple days that snow whales are obvious in the webcams.

Timberline base webcam at 11am, Nov. 29

 

[Ski Sine Fine]

Massanutten is open for passholders only this Friday, 12/1, from 12pm - 4pm. It opens this Saturday, 12/2. Woohoo! I’ll be there Friday and Sunday.

 

[marzNC]

Massanutten is open for passholders only this Friday, 12/1, from 12pm - 4pm. It opens this Saturday, 12/2. Woohoo! I’ll be there Friday and Sunday.

Just got the official email. The idea is to open this weekend, Dec. 2-3. Then preserve the snow Mon-Thu for sure. If it gets cold enough for more snowmaking late next week, I would expect the lifts to be running Fri-Mon, Dec. 8-10. The goal as always is to have as much terrain open as possible for the holiday period when students of all ages are off from school. It's a lot easier to continue to build base and groom on slopes that are closed.

Hope you take a picture or two.

 

[marzNC]

Snowshoe put together a video answering questions about snowmaking. The investment in automating snowmaking over the last few years is on the order of $5 million. That was on top of ongoing snowmaking infrastructure improvements in the last last decade or two.

November 29, 2023

 

[marzNC]

Timberline is opening for a Preview Weekend Dec. 2-3. Sounds like they aren't sure when the slopes will be ready for 7-day operations.

 

[HikenSki]

They did something similar last year closing during the week to preserve the base during warmer weather. They are calling for rain through the weekend and warmer temps before the cold returns next week. We are super excited to see how much they were able to do in the short span of time, of course helped with a little natural snow.

 

[Tennessee]

Sugar is open. I think they opened two days ago. They always have to scramble to beat the other resorts so they can claim some fame by being first to open. Sort of gives you a hint into their resort personality, lol!

 

[marzNC]

Sugar is open. I think they opened two days ago. They always have to scramble to beat the other resorts so they can claim some fame by being first to open. Sort of gives you a hint into their resort personality, lol!

Yep. App announced on Nov. 27 they would open on Nov. 30. Per usual, Sugar said nothing publicly in advance and simply opened on Nov. 29. Both started blowing snow as soon as practical when the cold temps arrived in the NC mountains. Beech will open this weekend. With all the webcams installed by the SkiSoutheast folks, it's a lot easier to know what is likely to happen.

The local TV news in the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) had a short segment about skiing in NC on the evening news when Sugar opened on Nov. 28. I bet the Charlotte TV news had a spot about the NC slopes opening too. Essentially all the NC ski resorts benefit by what Sugar does to grad the headlines when they open.

The early season buzz on the SkiSoutheast Discord channel has been good fun. I missed that when the SkiSE forum was essentially inactive for almost ten years for assorted reasons.

 

[marzNC]

They did something similar last year closing during the week to preserve the base during warmer weather. They are calling for rain through the weekend and warmer temps before the cold returns next week. We are super excited to see how much they were able to do in the short span of time, of course helped with a little natural snow.

The Perfect family know all about what it takes during early season. The snowmaking at Perfect North in eastern Indiana is amazing.

Closing during the week is old hat for ski resorts in the southeast. Most of them that have survived as viable businesses are mostly over 50 years old at this point.

 

[Tennessee]

I just got this email message from “Hatley Pointe” which confirms my skepticism about that whole operation. Hatley Pointe (with an e, lol) is the new name of the old Wolf Ridge ski area above Asheville. Make of it what you may:

We have to let you know​

As you all know, we have been working extremely hard to get the mountain ready for this winter season. Due to unexpected project delays, we want to inform you that we will be unable to meet our projected opening date this December. We are still committed to opening this winter season and we will keep everyone updated as we near project completion.



For anyone who has purchased passes, you will be given the option for a full refund, or to transfer your pass for a future date.

For any questions or concerns please reach out to [email protected].

 

[marzNC]

I just got this email message from “Hatley Pointe” which confirms my skepticism about that whole operation. Hatley Pointe (with an e, lol) is the new name of the old Wolf Ridge ski area above Asheville. Make of it what you may:

We have to let you know​

As you all know, we have been working extremely hard to get the mountain ready for this winter season. Due to unexpected project delays, we want to inform you that we will be unable to meet our projected opening date this December. We are still committed to opening this winter season and we will keep everyone updated as we near project completion.



For anyone who has purchased passes, you will be given the option for a full refund, or to transfer your pass for a future date.

For any questions or concerns please reach out to [email protected].

Too soon to say. I paid close attention when Tenney was in the midst of picking up the pieces from a ski area that had a long history that resulted in multiple issues. In that case, the new owners had no experience in the ski industry but they were experienced engineers. Eventually Tenney re-opened but it took a lot longer than expected.

The people who bought Wolf Ridge and want to completely change it's character were committed to spending a boatload of money on snowmaking and new buildings. But new construction rarely stays on schedule.

Massanutten has been a large resort for decades. The managers for snowsports have worked there for decades. But the plan to build a new building for the ski school didn't go as expected. It opened a full year later than planned . . . all due to unexpected issues that cropped up during construction.

 

[Tennessee]

I WANT to give them the benefit of the doubt but that ski area has never been very viable or well managed. So I’m doubtful. But I have been through the Wolf Laurel neighborhood (gated access only) on the way to Big Bald off the AT when I was interviewing for the USFS — and that Big Bald area is stunning. Gorgeous views on the crest of the mountains between NC and TN. I wish them all the best. I would ski there for sure if they could make a go of it. So sorry for my skepticism — I truly hope they can make something great.