Fellow DCSkiers,

I'm scheduled to be on the Kojo Nnamdi radio show today (Thu 2-11) from 1:30-2pm to talk abut local skiing. Call in with a question--1-800-433-8850.

http://thekojonnamdishow.org

WAMU 88.5 FM

Matthew Graham

Matt, at the risk of stating the obvious, you can tell listeners the timing of the recent mid-Atlantic snows could make this President's Weekend the best skiing of their lifetimes at local ski areas throughout VA, WV, MD, and Southern PA.
I snuck out to ski Blue Knob on Monday, Feb 8. They reported receiving 27-28" on Feb 6 and it was the best conditions I've seen there in memory. I've skied there on and off since 1967.
BK is closed today due to high winds, but reported 10-12" new snow yesterday.
Liberty is open and reports 15-20" new snow yesterday on top of the big dump on Feb 6.
The hard part now is just getting out of our own neighborhoods to get to the good stuff. I found I70 to Breezewood in good shape on Monday, but that may have changed after yesterday's snows up that way.
Other tidbits/observations:
-The terrain parks at Seven Springs are truly impressive. The Spot Park and Pipe rates with anything I've seen in recent years in New England or Colorado.
-Liftopia.com sells discount tickets for Canaan Valley and other ski areas around the US. You can pick up a ticket there for Canaan Valley for President's Day, Feb 15 for $17.99. Fine deal during this winter when CV has been bombed with snow.
-you can see the DCSki bargain tracker for other discounts, many local resorts offer nice discounts to active duty military and dependents.
-with this great snow folks should not quit on skiing after Pres Weekend (like they usually do). The nice spring weather starts to kick-in, the crowds die, while conditions will likely remain in excellent shape well into March.
-one of the best spring ski festivals in the region is Snowy Luau weekend at Timberline, WV, this year on weekend of March 20, Pig Roast, island music, costumes and crazy contests, magnificent torch light parade on Sat night with 1000 partiers observing.
Jim Kenney
DCSki Columnist

Good job Matt! I wonder if Kojo is a skier? He asked some intelligent questions. Some good questions from callers too. Great plug for Chip Chase and his Whitegrass Nordic Ski Center.

Hi Jim,

Thanks. Kojo is not a skier-- I tried to talk him into coming out this season-- but he doesn't like the cold. I did a pre-interview with the producer yesterday and she set up the agenda for questions.

Matthew

You mean those things are rehearsed? Not spontaneous? I like Kojo but I've lost a lot of respect with this information.

Denis, I'd think some "talking points" would make the interview much more coherent and informative than off the cuff chit-chat with a non-skier.
Believe you can hear an audio of this segment here:
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2010-02-11/ski-washington

Thanks Jim. I just listened and it is very nicely done. It is a good point that a non skiing interviewer might want to work out some talking points in advance.

Kojo has a lot of listeners and this should help the local areas bring in customers during the Presidents weekend.

Well done, Matt! I heard DCSki contributor Connie Lawn on the Kojo Nnambi Show while driving home from Whitetail one night several years ago. Kojo may not ski but he's a friend of our sport!

I just listened. It was a very nice discussion. DCski got a shout out as well. I've never listened to kojo before but enjoyed it.