Received some great info from this forum prior to our trip to the valley earlier this month...thought I'd try again!

Wife and I have Friday off, but need to be back in Roanoke area by 500pm. Any reports on conditions other than what the website says? I am no stranger to "optimistic" snow reports this time of year.

It appears that showshoe does not do 4 hr. tickets, is that correct? Estimate about 2:15 drive each way...looks like ticket would be $57. Is this a good investment?

Thanks in advance!

Brn4353

The skiing was very good yesterday, but definitely spring conditions. Morning started with frozen and loose (dry) granular, and transitioned to wet granular as the sun hit it. Groomed trails were fast and nice in the morning; ungroomed trails needed some time to soften up (they wisely delayed opening most ungroomed trails -- including lower Shay's -- until mid-morning after they softened up). Some sections of Cupp and Shays were defined by death cookies in the morning (actually, they were more like death pastries and cakes based on size) but skied fine. They softened right up by lunchtime.

Temps started out in the high 20s and got into the mid 40s yesterday. Through the whole day, sun/shade was the determining factor in the snow conditions. Sunny spots were getting quite soft and heavy by end of the day, whereas shady sides of the trails were sweet all day long.

Friday looks to be more of the same -- a bluebird day preceded by an overnight freeze, so I'd say to get out and enjoy it while you can, as long as you like spring conditions. Spring has definitely sprung up there, so the opportunities will be more scarce as time rolls on.

If you do go, get there early so that you can be geared up and on the slopes when they open at 9am. The place was deserted early on, and crowds didn't pick up until 11am. Actually, crowds were light all day, but the early morning snow conditions and complete lack of people on the hill from 9-11am made that the best part of the day for me.

There are marked bare spots on some of the black trails, but nothing out of the ordinary for this time of year. Kind of adds to the challenge.

Thank you for the awesome report! Doesn't appear to be in the cards for tomorrow as something else has come up...but look forward to getting there next year.

Enjoy the spring snow everyone!