The first weekend of the new year is shaping up to be a great one for skiing and boarding. After cold temperatures arrived a couple weeks ago - and stayed - area resorts have been able to make plenty of snow, and the cold temperatures show no sign of abating.
This article contains a complete roundup of conditions at local ski resorts.
Be sure to check with any resort you plan to visit for the latest information, as well as information on holiday rates and hours. Ticket prices will be higher at most resorts this weekend due to the holiday, and conditions could be crowded.
A winter storm is forecast for the area beginning Saturday. Snow, sleet, rain, and ice are all possibilities. Be aware of adverse road conditions and drive safely.
Blue Knob
Light snow has been falling at Blue Knob on and off today, and Blue Knob is bracing for more significant snowfall on Saturday. Three trails are open, with a base depth from 6-25 inches. Conditions are granular, machine made.
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain has 16 trails open, and is running 5 of 8 lifts. Open trails include a variety from beginner to extremely difficult. Base depth is 18-36 inches, with machine groomed, packed powder conditions. The tubing park is also open.
Bryce Four Seasons Resort
Bryce received 2 inches of natural snow today, boosting base depth to 10-40 inches. Six slope are open, including Redeye, Bootlegger, Revenuers, Locher Bowl, Little Nipp, and Bunny.
Canaan Valley
Over 8 inches of natural snow have fallen on Canaan Valley in the past 24 hours, and 16 trails are now open with a base depth from 14-40 inches. Conditions are powder, packed powder. 3 lifts are in operation. The ice rink, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are open, but the tube and terrain parks have not opened yet.
A DCSki reader checked in and reports that the skiing at Canaan Valley was great Wednesday, although slopes were icier earlier in the week. Temperatures were cold - 13 degrees plus wind, but lift lines were short midweek.
Doe Mountain
Doe Mountain has 5 trails open, with a base depth from 48-74 inches. 2 lifts are running, and conditions are machine made. Doe has receive some natural snow.
Hidden Valley
A foot of natural snow fell on Hidden Valley during the past 24 hours, and snowmaking continues. 19 slopes are open and 6-8 lifts. Base depth ranges from 24-42 inches, with packed powder conditions. 20 kilometers of cross-country skiing are also open, with great powder conditions.
Ski Liberty
Snowmaking continues at Ski Liberty, and 9 trails are now open. All lifts, except the Children’s Handle, are operating. Base depth ranges from 20-30 inches, and conditions are packed snow.
Massanutten
6 trails are open at Massanutten, including beginners Geronimo, Southern Comfort, and Crosstrail; intermediate Rebel Yell; and advanced trails Diamond Jim and the Snowboard Park. Base depth ranges from 18-30 inches, with powder and packed powder conditions. 2 inches of natural snow have fallen at Massanutten.
Ski Roundtop
A base depth of 18-22 inches can be found on Roundtop’s eight open trails. 7 lifts are in operation, and surface conditions are packed powder. The Vans Ultimate Rider Series Halfpipe competition will be held on Sunday, January 3.
Seven Springs
Seven Springs has 18 trails open with a base depth of 12-24 inches. Conditions are groomed packed powder. 9 lifts are in operation. The tubing park is also open.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
6 inches of snow have fallen on Snowshoe, and snowmaking continues around the clock. 39 trails are now open, with a base depth from 28-50 inches. Conditions are packed powder. The tubing hill is open, and the top half of the new Shay’s Revenge expert trail will open tomorrow. Cupp Run and the new Western Express high-speed quad are in operation.
Timberline
Timberline has 9 trails open, with a base depth from 26-48 inches. Conditions are machine made, packed powder. 2 out of 3 lifts are in operation.
Whitetail
Whitetail continues to make snow around the clock, and will start running its high-speed quad tomorrow as two new intermediate trails are opened, Upper Angel Drop to Home Run. Snow Dancer should open later in the weekend. Tomorrow, 8 trails will be open with a base depth from 20-36 inches. Surface conditions are packed powder, and 5 lifts will be in operation.
Wintergreen
Wintergreen has 8 trails open with a base depth from 20-40 inches. 4 of 5 lifts are in operation, and conditions are machine made, packed powder. Upper Cliffhanger is slated to open Friday or Saturday.
Winterplace
15 trails are open at Winterplace, with machine made, packed powder conditions. Base depth ranges from 20-36 inches. 8 out of 9 lifts are in operation.
Wisp
Wisp has expanded open terrain to 12 trails, and new trails should open by Friday. Base depth is 14-28 inches with packed powder conditions. Over 5 inches of natural snow have fallen over the past 24 hours. 5 lifts are in operation, and snowmaking continues around the clock.
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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