THE Ski Southeast website is the best place to find snow conditions at SE region resorts.
They no longer list two Tar Heel resorts, Hatley Pointe (formerly Wolf Ridge) in Mars Hill and Sapphire Valley, for which no information appeared this season. They were scheduled to open mid-December.
Mike Doble of skisoutheast.com told CSN Dec. 30, “They have very obviously ignored all of our outreach and won’t take our calls, and emails and texts are unanswered. So in our minds they no longer exist. Very odd…but it is what it is.” Both have a small amount of info on snow conditions on their own websites.
The first ski bus trip of the season (Jan. 16) from C&R Ski Hillsborough to Virginia resorts is nearly sold out. Trips are weekly (Thursday) through March 6, leaving at 5:30 a.m. and returning that night. Call 919-732-9712 for details and reservations.
JANUARY issue of Our State magazine explored old-fashioned winter with stories on Appalachian Ski Mountain and 9 perfect spots for sledding that include places in Cary and Raleigh as well as WNC.
SNOWSHOE Mountain in WVA, the region’s largest ski resort, and Wintergreen VA celebrated 50th anniversaries. Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley added a new quad chairlift.
OMNI Homestead Resort in VA reopened Jan. 9, tubing already was operating. All other resorts in the region were open before and after the holidays.
Haywood Ice Fest Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Maggie Valley, with live ice carving demos.
WISP in Maryland offered free lessons for the first time ever for skiers and boarders in late December. Years ago January was Learn to Ski Month with discounted lessons available, but since Covid the lesson idea disappeared.
J.B.
