On November 7, North Carolina’s Sugar Mountain Resort became the first ski area in the Mid-Atlantic to open, followed on November 8 by the Cataloochee Ski Area. West Virginia’s Snowshoe Mountain Resort followed suit on November 21, and Pennsylvania’s Seven Springs opened several trails on November 25.

The trickle of openings is quickly growing into a steady stream. Initial openings were tentative -; a blast of cold air and snowmaking allowed resorts to open a small handful of slopes, sometimes for just a few days. But December will bring colder temperatures, additional openings, and expanded terrain. Seven Springs plans to re-open on Saturday, December 1, and Maryland’s Wisp Resort will also open three trails on December 1. Pennsylvania’s Big Boulder Resort is currently reporting six trails open.

Cross country skiers have also been able to make first tracks. Five inches of natural snow in the Potomac Highlands of West Virginia in mid-November allowed cross-country skiers and snowshoers to test the trails of the White Grass Touring Center.

Wisp’s Belly Flop slope is groomed in preparation for a December 1, 2007 opening. Photo provided by Wisp Resort.

Snowmaking has been underway at Snowshoe, which opened for the season on November 21, 2007. Photo provided by Snowshoe Mountain Resort.