Ski areas in Colorado and West Virginia reported recent major snowfalls had improved, or were poised to improve, conditions moving into the last big month of the 2012-13 ski season.
In Colorado, 20 resorts had seen fresh snow between roughly noon Sunday and noon Tuesday, according to Colorado Ski Country (CSC), which represents 21 ski areas in the state. More than half of those reported double-digit snowfall amounts. Data from the National Weather Service showed 82.9 percent of the Central Rockies covered by snow as of Tuesday, compared with 67.3 percent a year earlier.
The 48-hour snow report was lead by Silverton Mountain with 18 inches. Monarch and Crested Butte reported 16 inches and Loveland reported 14 ½ inches. Steamboat saw 13 inches and Aspen Highlands, Ski Cooper and Copper Mountain each saw 12 inches. Snowmass measured 11 inches and Winter Park and Eldora both amassed 10 inches. Powderhorn and Arapahoe Basin tallied 9 inches; Aspen Mountain registered 8 inches, and Telluride, Sunlight Mountain Resort, Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort and Wolf Creek each piled up 7 inches from the two-day storm. Buttermilk collected 6 inches and Ski Granby Ranch 3 inches.
CSC reported skier visits decreased 11.5 percent between opening day and Dec. 31, 2012.
Vail Resorts Inc. is expected to comment on skier visits to its four ski resorts in Colorado – as well as three in the Lake Tahoe region and two in the Midwest – Wednesday, March 6, when it is scheduled to release its results for the second fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31.
In West Virginia, Snowshoe Mountain reported in just the first 10 days on sale, sales of 2013/14 winter passes have already exceeded all of the season passes sold the previous two years combined. Conditions are great, the snow continues to fall, and the price is right, so people want to get their pass now, enjoy a great March of skiing and riding, and then be set for next year, says Frank DeBerry, president & COO of Snowshoe Mountain.
We received over three feet of new snow in February, says Frank DeBerry, President & COO of Snowshoe Mountain. And the weather and conditions just keep getting better just in time for late-season deals and specials to keep people.
NOAA data as of March 5, 2013 show much of the snow in Southern Appalachia melted in recent weeks, but that about twice as much of the area was covered by snow than a year ago.
Snowshoe announced it had extended its closing date to March 31 to accommodate most of the surrounding area Spring Break dates. Starting March 8th, Snowshoe will be hosting the first ever Ballhooter Spring Break Festival – a four-day music and college celebration destined to become an annual tradition. The event features live music nightly on a festival stage in the Snowshoe Village, plus The Ballhooter Beach Party presented by Bacardi, live comedy shows, on-snow games, video contests, race and terrain park competitions, and the first-ever Red Bull DJ Battle at Snowshoe. The resort is offering college students deeply discounted packages on lodging and lift tickets as well.
