Ski report for 11.23.08

Despite the best pre-Thanksgiving ski conditions in memory — conditions have been favorable for snowmaking nearly round-the-clock for over a week and some areas have received up to three feet of natural snowfall during that time — only five of the Southeast's 18 ski areas have opened. Why is that? For the more resort-type areas — Timberline and Canaan Valley in West Virginia, Wintergreen in Virginia — they have a larger workforce to pull together, a workforce that includes lodging and more expansive food service to accommodate skiers and riders who intend to stay overnight. Places such as Ski Beech, Sugar Mountain, Cataloochee and Appalachian, on the other hand, focus more on the day skier and can open with more of a skeleton crew, especially when they only need to man two or three lifts.

Snow, snow, everywhere at Winterplace, but not a trail to ski.

Still, it's hard not to look at photos of conditions at ski areas yet-to-open and think, "Dang, I'd love to be busting through that powder." (Yes, there's actually power aplenty at several areas.) When might that powder busting start occurring elsewhere? Here's some quick insight into two areas popular with Triangle skiers and riders.

Wintergreen, Virginia. The closest ski area to the Triangle is also one of the most rewarding. It's got the requisite minimum vertical drop for a Southeast ski area — 1,000 feet — has the most sophisticated snowmaking system and has a well-designed mountain segregating beginner, intermediate and advanced skiers. Initially, Wintergreen was planning a Dec. 12 opening. Then it started hinting that it might open Dec. 6. Today on its web site, Wintergreen reports that it expects to open The Plunge tubing park Thanksgiving weekend and possibly some skiing. Temperatures early in the week will climb out of snowmaking range, but will return, overnight at least, by midweek. Keep an eye on this one.

Winterplace, West Virginia. Another popular spot for Triangle skiers and riders — despite the fact it's in West Virginia, it's a relatively speedy four-hour drive, all on divided highway — they're still saying they won't open for another three weeks. They do, however, offer this hopeful out on their web site: "Anticipated Opening Date For The 2008 - 2009 Ski Season is December 12th, 2008 but, continue to check back for up -o-date information. Think Cold & Do Your Happy Snow Dance!" (Another good reason to snowboard: The Happy Snow Dance is so much easier in snowboarding boots.)

Meanwhile, Sugar drops the ropes on another trail today, bringing to 9 the number of slopes it has open. Ski Beech had some lift issues on opening day yesterday, but reports it spent the night under the hood and has lifts 1, 3 and 4 running swell for today. Runs open are Lower Shawneehaw, Powder Bowl, Freestyle and Play Yard. Cataloochee has three lifts serving eight trails and Appalachian is nearly completely open, with all lifts and seven of eight trails open. In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain, the only other ski area open in the region, still has six trails open.

Still waiting for the region's first terrain park to open, but with conditions remaining favorable for snowmaking this week (and for some additional natural snowfall), that's likely not far down the road.

For an in-depth report on ski conditions throughout the Southeast, visit skisoutheast.com.