After a false start, Snowshoe Mountain Resort has resumed on-slope operations, following the return of colder temperatures. The West Virginia resort was able to open several slopes for Thanksgiving, but succumbed to unseasonably mild temperatures, closing slopes a few days later. Snowshoe was able to fire up the snowguns late last week, opening seven trails for top-to-bottom skiing at both the Snowshoe and Silver Creek areas. Snowmaking operations are continuing as temperatures permit, but cover is still thin in areas.

Meanwhile, other D.C. area resorts are taking a “wait and see” attitude towards snowmaking. Although temperatures are much lower than the record-breaking temperatures set week ago, they are still too high for productive snowmaking. Most area resorts have dusted off their snowguns and are ready to start firing them as soon as a string of sub-freezing days arrives. Temperatures will rise slightly into midweek, reaching the low 50’s, but should start to lower towards the end of the week. Highs by Friday should fall to the mid-30’s, with lows dipping into the upper 20’s at D.C. area resorts.

If temperatures stay cold next week, local resorts will initiate snowmaking operations in an effort to open as much terrain as possible before the Christmas holiday. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is traditionally a busy time for ski resorts.