Conditions are about as good as they get in the Southeast's high country, with cold temperatures and natural snowfall making this the perfect time for an extended escape.
Snowshoe's 180 inches of natural snowfall make it a leading candidate for powder in the Southeast.
Generally, that means either a bigger mountain, a resort that's a bit farther afield, or both. But we're going to start with the closest resort to the Triangle which may not be a big mountain, can feel like one: Virginia's Wintergreen. Wintergreen reports all 23 trails open today on a base of 40 to 60 inches. What we like about Wintergreen: The mountain is neatly divided into beginner, intermediate and advanced sections. So if you're just getting started, you and the other novices can have the wide-open middle of the mountain to yourselves. And while it may be the most popular part of the mountain, a detachable six-pack lift gets lots of skiers up the mountain quick. More accomplished skiers can hang on the right side of the mountain, where five intermediate runs are srved by the Big Acorn lift. Wintergreen is probably best suited for advanced skiers. This is where you'll find the mountain's full 1,003 feet of vertical drop on seven main advanced trails. And while there's only one lift, it's fast and efficient. Rare is the lift line on Wintergreen's advanced terrain. Weekend packages start at $133 a night, mid-week packages at $87.
When most skiers and boarders in these parts think of taking a Southeast ski vacation, they think about going to Snowshoe in West Virginia. Snowshoe is the Southeast's biggest mountain with 60 trails, it's snowiest with 180 inches of natural snowfall annually, it's most vertically challenging with a 1,500-foot vertical drop and if for some inexplicable reason you tire of skiing or riding, there's a bunch of other stuff to do from cross-country skiing to snowshoeing to snowmobiling. Snowshoe is reporting a healthy 56-inch base with all trails open as well as its two terrain parks and half pipes. The mountain has a variety of lift and lodging packages available, starting at $109 a night (for a minimum of two nights at the base lodge, midweek, based on double occupancy. See what works for you here.
And since you're going to be in the car a bit anyway, why not put in a little more time behind the wheel (7 to 8 hours) and check out West Virginia's Canaan Valley region. The area has two downhill ski areas. Canaan Valley Resort is one of the West Virginia State Parks system's super resorts. The area has 39 slopes and because it is a state park, is generally more family-friendly to the budget. Midweek packages start at $54.50 night. Also in the area is Timberline Resort, which has 36 trails. Perhaps the area's claim to winter fame, though, is its cross-country skiing. You'll find it offered throughout the valley, but your best bet for a beginner-friendly experience is White Grass, which offers instruction and 50 kilometers of maintained trail. And it's significantly less expensive than it's downhill cousin, with a pass just $12 (and another $12 to $15 to rent equipment). Whitegrass is reporting good conditions for the first week of February.
For a detailed report on what's happening in the high country, visit skisoutheast.com.
