Here's all you need to know about the state of skiing in the Southeast for at least the next week: According to Ray's Weather, the definitive source for mountain weather, the coldest weather of the winter will descend on the high country this week.
The scene at Ski Beech shortly before midnight: How much of this is falling naturallly and how much is being blown by man is hard to say. And does it matter, anyway?
Consider: Beginning tonight, the snowmakers at Ski Beech should be able to make snow 24/7 at least through Friday. The forecast highs for the week range from 32 tomorrow to 7 on Friday, the overnight lows range from 12 tomorrow to -5 Thursday. Brrr. That's more or less the story throughout the North Carolina high country.
At Virginia's Wintergreen, it won't be quite as cold, but after a high of 37 tomorrow it won't get above freezing for the rest of the week. With that mountain's sophisticated snowmaking expect considerable terrain to open throughout the week (especially since Wintergreen, like the Southeast's other ski areas, will be blowing as much as possible in preparation for next Monday's MLK holiday assault). Today, the ski area reports 12 slopes and four lifts running. Here's their plan for the rest of the week: Tyro and Lower Diamond Hill open on Wednesday, Devils Elbow and The Gap on Thursday, Progression Terrain Park on Friday, Terrain Park and Upper Wild Turkey on Saturday, Big Acorn on Sunday and Lower Cliff Hanger Monday.
At Winterplace in West Virginia 19 of 28 runs were open today and 5 of 9 lifts were operating. Snow and a high of 34 are forecast for tomorrow; the temperature doesn't get above freezing for the rest of the week.
And at Snowshoe Mountain, the main destination resort from the Triangle, snow is forecast throughout the week and temperatures aren't expected to rise above 27 for the remainder of the week. Conditions are favorable for the mountain to be completely open come MLK day, meaning it likely will be fully open well into next week. If you have three days of skiing in you, get your calendar out and start looking at next Tuesday and beyond.
