Season Over in Mid Atlantic?
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snowsmith - DCSki Supporter 
7 months ago
Member since 03/15/2004 🔗
1,528 posts

Folks - it is looking bleak for an extended local ski season. I can't image the former Snowtime resorts will last much longer. The southern resorts in VA can't be doing too well. The Laurels resorts, 7S, HV and LM have a surface that does not ski well and there is a very limited window to make snow for the upcoming Presidents Day weekend. After that, the weather looks bleak. The only MA resorts hanging on to some descent terrain are the higher elevation resorts - Snowshoe and Timberline. That said I am guessing that the snow surface is deteriorating quicky into April like conditions.

In my 48 years of skiing at our little mole hills, I cannot remember a worse ski season. The current La Nina weather pattern which we've had for the last 3 years is supposed to be ending. Will that bring us better weather for the 2023/2024 ski season? Or is this becoming a permanent weather pattern signaling, perhaps, and end to MA skiing. I sure hope not. 

I am currently trying to schedule a trip to Utah or Colorado so I can ski on real snow.

This situation is depressing. JimK has the right idea.

Shotmaker
7 months ago
Member since 02/18/2014 🔗
159 posts
It feels like we are running out of time but 5 years ago at the end of February Snowshoe had very thin cover. There were rumors that unless significant snow fell or enough machine made could be generated March would be a disaster. 

Well March came in like a lion and Cheat Mountain magic worked. We had roughly 8’ of snow in the first 10 days.  Here is a pic of the snow pile at Top of the World parking lot the last weekend in March. 

There is always hope don’t throw in the towel yet for the Mid-Atlantic!1676592590_aghjkdcpvbdg.jpg
wgo
7 months ago (edited 7 months ago)
Member since 02/10/2004 🔗
1,588 posts
I remember March 2018 well. I extended a weekend trip for a powder day after 10 inches of snow overnight, and I think Snowshoe got 40 or 50 inches of snow that week. I doubt that will happen this year but I will be skiing TL and Snowshoe regardless for as long as they have decent terrain open.
mdr227
7 months ago
Member since 01/11/2016 🔗
175 posts
Many of us remember the days of skiing into April at Timberline and Snowshoe with some great conditions and even in recent years we've had more local resorts like Liberty and Bryce stay open until mid to late March with pretty good conditions.    This year though even if we get a cold March with some good snow it will be too late to make much of a difference at the closer in resorts with such limited terrain open and terrain that is open incredibly thin in depth and width (the last two days have probably undone weeks of snowmaking with the high temps, humidity, rain, etc.).    The other big issue for ski resorts staying open in a Winter like this is skier interest as many are already hanging up their skis/boards for the Winter and moving on to Spring.    How many people are going to want to continue to ski at a place like Whitetail that will be lucky to have two to three top to bottom trails open this weekend for the full prices being charged for such limited terrain?    I can only imagine how much money many of the local resorts are losing this Winter.
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jimw
7 months ago (edited 7 months ago)
Member since 02/2/2015 🔗
113 posts

No the pattern is changing back to El Nino so I'm hoping to see a rebound again in March.  Artic Air will be pushing south.  

Yes 2018 March weekend trip turned into a week trip.  Truck broke down so I had to get a rental from Staunton (last 4wd they had) to get to Snowshoe.  Stayed in a least 4 different places that week.   One of the best if not the best time of east coast riding.  

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
7 months ago (edited 7 months ago)
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

Meanwhile it's 22 degrees at Cataloochee in NC as of 6pm on Feb. 17 and snowmaking is going full blast.

Snowmaking in progress at Massanutten, Timberline, and Canaan Valley too.

Going to look different by morning in a number of places.

chuck_wow
7 months ago
Member since 01/14/2023 🔗
54 posts

Somebody say what's up at liberty whitetop please. Hope as manynof yall as possible y'all are shredding it somewhere.

Shotmaker
7 months ago
Member since 02/18/2014 🔗
159 posts

marzNC wrote:

Meanwhile it's 22 degrees at Cataloochee in NC as of 6pm on Feb. 17 and snowmaking is going full blast.

Snowmaking in progress at Massanutten, Timberline, and Canaan Valley too.

Going to look different by morning in a number of places.

Snowshoe received 3" natural and lots of machine made. This brings the total season to a whopping 34.5" which is roughly 30"+ more than all resorts east of Snowshoe! Conditions here on Saturday were exceptional and really good through mid day Sunday.

Grumpy dad
7 months ago (edited 7 months ago)
Member since 11/7/2021 🔗
113 posts

7Springs had some bare spots this weekend. Sunday was mashed potatoes on top of some really hard stuff that would catch you off guard easily.  Lots of muddy/wet butts this weekend.  The resort was PACKED, but the lift lines were long for periods of time but not as bad as previous.  By 3p on Sunday, it was pretty dead.  By 5pm we didnt wait for more than a minute to get on the lift.  Everyone must have gone inside.

I fear for 7S.  They made enough snow when needed but I think they were banking on some natural, and that didnt materialize but what did was very warm temps/rain, with little opportunity to make snow...

and here we are again.  2 week forecast shows MAYBE two nights that they can make snow with many days being quite warm w/ rain.  That's a bad combination for what they have already which is barely holding onto a few inches of base in MANY areas.

Im hoping they are wrong about the forecast....but they are always wrong when it comes to snow and snow totals, never the bad news.  

If I can get the kids out 3 more times I wont feel like I lost out on passes this year.  

ShredDMV
7 months ago
Member since 09/23/2022 🔗
24 posts

The season is what you make of it honestly, and agreeing it has definitely been poor conditions, but I've still been having a blast going around and skiing the Mid-Atlantic.  I suppose that's what a significant hiatus away from the sport will do to someone haha.  Enjoy the video from Mnut!  footage from 2/21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrgOWB3s21g

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
6 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts
Bryce is holding Winterfest on March 11.  Should be able to do a bit more snowmaking this weekend.
marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
6 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts
For this weekend, Feb 25-26, Massanutten is down to the core trails. That means Southern Comfort (green), Upper and Lower Showtime (blue), and Diamond Jim (black). Mueller's Mile (blue) from the top is closed. There are a couple sections of Mueller's that get a lot of sun exposure. It's possible to ski Upper Paradice to Ridgecrest (blue) but Upper Mass Transit and Yee Ha are closed so can't go that way and lap the Peak lift.

Wintergreen is open with core trails only. While the Acorn lift is running, only Eagle Swoop (blue) is open and the cross trails are closed. Dobie (green) and the terrain park are open off the Blue Ridge Express. There is essentially one way down off the Highlands lift (black).  Wintergreen will be closed after Feb. 26.
snapdragon
6 months ago
Member since 01/27/2015 🔗
267 posts
the mass should have cut their tix in half for the hard cores i see on the cams...i bet the plug gets pulled tomorrow looking at next week's forecast
marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
6 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

snapdragon wrote:

the mass should have cut their tix in half for the hard cores i see on the cams...i bet the plug gets pulled tomorrow looking at next week's forecast

 Massanutten has Snow Moon Fest scheduled for March 3-5.  One way or another, there will be a few slopes open next weekend.

The width and depth of the snow on Southern Comfort is more than in the past decade after similar heat waves.  Same for Diamond Jim and Showtime.  The old stick guns on Upper Showtime were replaced with TT10 fan guns.  Can't tell that from the webcams.

When was the last time you skied at Massanutten?

Massanutten fan guns on Showtime, mid-January 2023

1677366424_wavttyfzlddo.jpg

ShredDMV
6 months ago
Member since 09/23/2022 🔗
24 posts

Conditions over at Whitetail on closing weekend, their shortest season ever apparently.  Made the most of it, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBgcjY0IqVM

marzNC - DCSki Supporter 
6 months ago
Member since 12/10/2008 🔗
3,077 posts

Massanutten decided today to suspend operations Wed-Fri in order to have slopes open March 4-5.  They have hopes for another chance for snowmaking by the end of the week.

chuck_wow
6 months ago
Member since 01/14/2023 🔗
54 posts


 Hey why didn't you drive to 7S? Also wanna say I'm a huge fan of your how to survive fed prison YouTube vids. Keep up the good work. I'm rooting for you.

ShredDMV wrote:

Conditions over at Whitetail on closing weekend, their shortest season ever apparently.  Made the most of it, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBgcjY0IqVM

snapdragon
6 months ago
Member since 01/27/2015 🔗
267 posts
it doesn't matter when the last time i was at the mass...i can look at a web cam...read a trail report...analyze a 10 day weather forecast...arrive at the conclusion that muddy corn on 3 trails isn't worth $90...no matter how much lipstick is on the pig
SeniorSki
6 months ago
Member since 01/31/2022 🔗
77 posts
The haves and have nots, wow Mammoth mountain has received 280 inches of snow this season. They are expecting another 3 to 4 feet. I believe we will be seeing videos of skiers on July 4th. I think Alta is the big winner this season, need to look that one up. While the middle Atlantic basically has zero, bummer. 
Shotmaker
6 months ago (edited 6 months ago)
Member since 02/18/2014 🔗
159 posts
Actually they have reported 500” at the Main Lodge and 650” at the Summit. 
Grumpy dad
6 months ago
Member since 11/7/2021 🔗
113 posts

There was SOME excitement a few days ago that the laurels would get a decent snowfall.

Well that's been cancelled.  Instead we will get rain again.  

I feel like a lactose intolerant person who works for a cheesecake factory.

Grumpy dad
6 months ago
Member since 11/7/2021 🔗
113 posts


Wow I just looked at their webcam. How do they think they are going to reopen this weekend? 

snapdragon wrote:

it doesn't matter when the last time i was at the mass...i can look at a web cam...read a trail report...analyze a 10 day weather forecast...arrive at the conclusion that muddy corn on 3 trails isn't worth $90...no matter how much lipstick is on the pig
bob
6 months ago (edited 6 months ago)
Member since 04/15/2008 🔗
717 posts
Conditions in the mid Atlantic might look grim, but the Poconos are looking alright. Actually, Blue, Montage and Elk   look pretty good
Timothy.grasso
6 months ago
Member since 11/20/2018 🔗
52 posts

bob wrote:

Conditions in the mid Atlantic might look grim, but the Poconos are looking alright. Actually, Blue, Montage and Elk   look pretty good

I skied Jack Frost (AM) and Big Boulder (PM) this Monday (prior to the 7 inches on Monday night). The conditions were pretty solid and not a soul around. It was nice to try somewhere new and my 6 year old enjoyed the "trails in the trees" at Jack Frost.

jimw
6 months ago
Member since 02/2/2015 🔗
113 posts
A little snow is in the forecast for this weekend for Snowshoe then more next weekend.  We will see.  
chuck_wow
6 months ago
Member since 01/14/2023 🔗
54 posts
Liberty has announced that today was their last day of the season.
Laurel Hill Crazie - DCSki Supporter 
6 months ago
Member since 08/16/2004 🔗
2,012 posts

Seven Springs posted this picture this morning at about 7:15.

1677937694_npztqquhnpwp.jpg

This is from Seven Springs 2 days ago. "And we do see opportunities for snowmaking the second half of the weekend – and beyond – which we fully intend to take advantage of once the temps drop!"

dclivejazz
6 months ago
Member since 03/5/2017 🔗
48 posts
Bummer about Liberty. I was going to try to go tomorrow.
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