Looking Back: The Top 20 Most Popular Stories of 2006 1

1. Almost Heaven Mountain Resort Update

In 2003, John Sherwood published an article on DCSki describing tentative plans for Almost Heaven, a ski resort that, if built, would offer over 2,000 feet of vertical in Randolph County, West Virginia. John’s article in 2003 touched off a firestorm of commentary by DCSki readers, garnering over 120 comments. In January, 2006, John provided an update on Almost Heaven. Published on January 21, 2006 by John Sherwood.

2. Quick, Quirky and Quaint at Timberline, WV

Revisiting Timberline Resort for the first time in many years, Jim Kenney discovered a lot of character in the ski area and ski town. Jim provided this Firsthand Report describing a midweek visit to Timberline, which included sampling skis at demo days, taking in the ambiance of the White Grass cafe, and staying in an historic B&B, to the delight of his accompanying daughters. Published on January 11, 2006 by Jim Kenney.

3. What’s New for 2006: Seven Springs Resort

This past summer, Seven Springs Resort continued capital improvement projects, documented in this news article. These projects included continued real estate development, hotel and lodge renovations, and the unveiling of a new terrain park and superpipe. Published on November 4, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

4. A Very Special Trip to Canaan Valley - with “Special Love”

Over President’s Day weekend, 2006, Connie Lawn visited Canaan Valley Resort, where she interacted with children battling cancer as part of the “Special Love” program. Connie detailed this experience, along with her own hands-on attempt at airboarding, a new sledding adventure offered by Canaan Valley Resort. Published on February 26, 2006 by Connie Lawn.

5. Agony and Ecstasy at Wintergreen: A Firsthand Report

Jim Kenney witnessed an amazing transformation at Virginia’s Wintergreen Resort over one weekend in February, 2006, as heavy rain turned into blue skies and aggressive snowmaking. Returning to Wintergreen after an 8-year hiatus, Jim discovered impressive changes. He details the trip and takes a look behind Wintergreen’s impressive snowmaking system in this Firsthand Report. Published on February 9, 2006 by Jim Kenney.

6. Firsthand Report: Engelberg, Switzerland

Iwan Fuchs, formerly hailing from Pennsylvania where he served as Ski School Director at Hidden Valley Resort, is back in his native Switzerland as a ski instructor. He provides this Firsthand Report from a trip to Engelberg, which provides year-round glacial skiing. Published on July 2, 2006 by Iwan Fuchs.

7. Snapshots of Snow from the Mid-Atlantic Region

In late January, 2006, winter returned, dumping up to 15” of snow at higher elevations and enabling snowmaking at lower elevations. January, 2006 wasn’t the coldest month on record (and it doesn’t look like 2007 will fare any better), but the blast of cold weather at the end of the month - brief as it may have been - provided a shot in the arm to ski resorts. This story gathered together photos from around the region. Published on January 29, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

8. Seven Springs to Change Hands

In late June, 2006, Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs Resort announced that it would be changing ownership from the Dupre family to the Nutting family, marking the first time in 74 years that the family-run resort will have changed hands. Published on July 2, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

9. Going Further Afield: The Canyons, February 4-8, 2006

John Sherwood returned from a trip to The Canyons in early February, 2006. The Canyons is an up-and-coming ski resort in Utah that offers over 3,500 acres of skiable terrain, and John filed this Firsthand Report describing the pros and cons of the ski area. Published on February 9, 2006 by John Sherwood.

10. The End is Approaching

Providing an Eastern Pennsylvania perspective, Brenton Archut provided this March, 2006 update on local ski resorts that had closed, were closing soon, or were pushing into April. He also provided reflections on the 2005-2006 ski season. Published on March 25, 2006 by Brenton Archut.

11. Spot Report: Timberline on New Year’s Day

John Sherwood rang in 2006 at West Virginia’s Timberline Resort. He provided this second spot report describing the conditions. Published on January 2, 2006 by John Sherwood.

12. DCSki Exclusive Interview: Jim Kettler, Owner of Hidden Valley Resort

In the fall of 2006, DCSki interviewed Jim Kettler, owner of Pennsylvania’s Hidden Valley Resort. In this exclusive interview, Mr. Kettler described trends in the Mid-Atlantic ski region and addressed rumors affecting future plans for Hidden Valley Resort. Published on November 7, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

13. News Briefs

In this News Briefs article, DCSki described the kickoff of Snowshoe’s summer season, a partnership between Wisp Resort and the Orvis Company, and Ski Roundtop’s plans to sell Fife & Drum chairs, which were being replaced by a new lift. Published on June 4, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

14. Attiva Outdoors Begins Ski Shuttle Service

Brad and Lori Kenemuth, co-founders of Attiva Outdoors, describe their company’s efforts to start a ski shuttle from the D.C. area to local ski slopes. Attiva Outdoors provided a valuable service for many during the 2005-2006 winter season, but due to time constraints the shuttle is not running for the 2006-2007 season. Brad and Lori hope to resume the shuttle in future ski seasons. Published on January 1, 2006 by Brad and Lori Kenemuth.

15. Firsthand Report: Ski Roundtop

Connie Lawn swung by Ski Roundtop on Saturday, March 18, 2006, the day before Roundtop closed for the 2005-2006 winter season. She filed this Firsthand Report. Published on March 19, 2006 by Connie Lawn.

16. Wonderful Weekend - Winter Wonderland at Whitetail, Wintergreen, and Wisp

Over the weekend of February 11, 2006, Connie Lawn and her two sons, Daniel and David Rappaport, split up and headed to three “W” resorts in the region: Whitetail, Wintergreen, and Wisp. They provided a “three for one” special in this Firsthand Report. Published on February 23, 2006 by Connie Lawn (and sons).

17. A Little Bit of Vermont in Pennsylvania: A Firsthand Report from Elk Mountain

Single-digit temperatures and gusting winds did not deter Matthew Graham from enjoying a trip to his favorite Pennsylvania resort in late February, 2006. Matthew provided a detailed trip report from Elk Mountain. Published on March 4, 2006 by Matthew Graham.

18. Winter Highs, Lows, and Highs Again: A Wisp Firsthand Report

DCSki Columnist Jim Chen spent a February, 2006 weekend skiing at Maryland’s Wisp Resort with his family and friends. He provided this Firsthand Report. Published on February 23, 2006 by Jim Chen.

19. Construction of New High-Speed Lift Underway at Snowshoe

In June, 2006, industrial-strength helicopters dropped new towers into place, completing the first installation phase of Snowshoe’s third high-speed chairlift. Published on July 2, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.

20. Montage Mountain Sold, Renamed Sno Mountain

On November 6, 2006, Pennsylvania’s Montage Mountain was sold to a private Philadelphia-based firm and renamed Sno Mountain. The Poconos ski area had been owned by Lackawanna County. Published on November 8, 2006 by M. Scott Smith.