Although the long-term forecast for this winter is still calling for lower temperatures than the past three seasons, the cold temperatures are taking their time arriving. That’s beginning to worry some local ski resorts, as tentative opening dates begin to approach.

In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain Resort is keeping its eye on a November 17 opening date, but the resort hasn’t yet found the necessary stretch of colder temperatures to fire up the snowguns.

“The snow guns are in place; the snowmakers just need the cold temperatures,” explained Snowshoe’s Joe Stevens. Stevens stressed that two solid snowmaking days should be enough to open one or two top to bottom runs on the eastern side of Snowshoe. The resort is also hoping to have the Mountaineer Terrain Park and a portion of the Ruckus Ridge Tubing Hill at the Silver Creek area ready to go on opening day. However, all of this is weather permitting.

The ten-day forecast for nearby Elkins, West Virginia may provide some last-minute relief for Snowshoe. By the middle of next week, low temperatures should begin to dip into the 20’s; some snow showers are also possible by the end of the week. This last-minute blast of cold air may allow Snowshoe to meet its November 17 projected opening date; Snowshoe will provide an update early next week.

Elsewhere in the country, skiers have reason to celebrate. Last week, a number of snow storms brought a healthy dump of snow throughout the mountains of Colorado. Winter Park received over two feet of snow last week, while Aspen received up to three feet.

To the north, some New England resorts are already beginning to open. Vermont’s Killington Resort has two trails open, offering 0.5 miles of skiing and boarding.

Stay tuned to DCSki for the latest updates on Mid-Atlantic resort openings.