Dunno what you were doing this morning at 7:15, but Cataloochee Ski Area decided it was time to start the Southeast's ski season. The resort's Tammy Brown reports Cataloochee fired up its snow guns with the temperature at 27 degrees and plans to drop the rope on at least one slope tomorrow at 1 p.m. Yes, that's tomorrow, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. It's the first time Cataloochee has opened in October and the second year in a row that it has bested Sugar Mountain for first-to-open honors.
Brrr.
“We expect the temperatures to remain favorable the next few nights and we are expecting our snowmakers to be able to put over two feet of snow on the trails we will be skiing," Chris Bates, Cataloochee’s Vice President and General Manager said in a prepared statement. "Only beginner terrain will be available with no food or beverage service on site." The resort reports that "early season rates apply," though it wasn't clear what those rates might be. A half-day weekday adult lift ticket at Cataloochee is $24. I've got a call in for clarification; will report back when I hear something.
Temperatures are expected to remain favorable for snowmaking over the next few nights. Plus, a dusting of natural snow is also forecast for portions of the North Carolina mountains.
As for who might be next, skisoutheast.com reports this morning that Ski Beech, traditionally one of the last resorts to open, may be firing up its snowguns soon as well.
According to onthesnow.com, less than a dozen resorts have opened nationwide, none east of the Rockies.
