On Friday, November 2, 2007, West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort took advantage of sub-freezing temperatures to fire up its snowguns. Snowmaking began on the lower portions of the mountain around 4 a.m. on Friday, due to a temperature inversion that kept the peak of the mountain above freezing. Snowshoe has continued making snow since then as conditions have allowed.
Snowshoe plans to open for the season on November 21, and with continued cold temperatures, the resort anticipates having a good selection of slopes open for Thanksgiving.
To the south, North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Resort has also fired up the snowguns.
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Snowshoe began making snow on Friday, November 2, 2007. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
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In past years, Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Resort have teamed up to offer a “Ski the Valley” pass. Located near each other, the two West Virginia resorts are bringing back this joint lift pass for the 2007-2008 winter season.
The Ski the Valley Pass will be valid for two-days of unlimited skiing at either ski area. The pass will be priced at $40 per person between December 14-24, 2007, and will then rise to $65 for two midweek days or $95 for a weekend for the remainder of the season.
The two ski areas combined offer 75 slopes and trails, including two new intermediate runs at Canaan Valley Resort.
Speaking of Canaan Valley, the region received its first snow of the season on Tuesday, November 6, 2007. Canaan Realty’s Laura Reed shot the following photo on Tuesday morning, showing a dusting of snow.
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First dusting of the season. Photo provided by Laura Reed.
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Wisp’s new mountain coaster will be open year-round. Photo provided by Wisp Resort.
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This past summer, Wisp unveiled a new attraction that will provide thrills to visitors year-round. Wisp’s new Mountain Coaster is a cross between an Alpine Slide and a Rollercoaster. After rising to the top of Marsh Mountain, the coaster winds and twists its way down 3,500 feet of track that drop 350 vertical feet. Up to two guests can ride in each coaster. Riders can use a centrifugal braking system to control their descent. The coaster can reach up to 25 miles per hour on the stainless steel track.
Mountain Coasters are popular in Europe, but in the U.S., Wisp joins just three other resorts that have one. The coaster was designed by Wiegand of Germany, and includes extensive safety features. It is also lit for nighttime operation, and will be open during all four seasons of the year.
M. Scott Smith is the founder and Editor of DCSki. Scott loves outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, skiing, and mountain biking. He is an avid photographer and writer.
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