This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/washington-area-ski-resorts-brace-for-powdery-days-after-early-winter-slump/2016/01/20/7b363a40-bf96-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Washington area ski resorts brace for powdery days after early winter slump | Washington area ski resorts brace for powdery days after early winter slump |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Winter’s balmy weather in the Washington area has disappointed skiers with a thirst for powder. But not for long. | Winter’s balmy weather in the Washington area has disappointed skiers with a thirst for powder. But not for long. |
| Resorts in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are forecasting anywhere from 12 to 50 inches of fresh, natural flakes to layer the ski slopes, meaning that knee-deep turns usually reserved for steeps west of the Continental Divide could come to the Blue Ridge Mountains this weekend. | Resorts in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are forecasting anywhere from 12 to 50 inches of fresh, natural flakes to layer the ski slopes, meaning that knee-deep turns usually reserved for steeps west of the Continental Divide could come to the Blue Ridge Mountains this weekend. |
| “Of course, everyone is extremely excited for the impending snow,” said Lori Epp, marketing director for Wisp Resort in western Maryland, about180 miles from Washington. | “Of course, everyone is extremely excited for the impending snow,” said Lori Epp, marketing director for Wisp Resort in western Maryland, about180 miles from Washington. |
| The winter storm hurtling up the East Coast — dubbed “Jonas” — also could be a boon for ski resorts that have faced financial struggles with a particularly warm December and January, when some weekends saw temperatures climb into the 60s. Wisp has had just 16 inches of natural snow since December, Epp said, with the rest of the resort’s base coming from snow-making machines that line the mountain. | The winter storm hurtling up the East Coast — dubbed “Jonas” — also could be a boon for ski resorts that have faced financial struggles with a particularly warm December and January, when some weekends saw temperatures climb into the 60s. Wisp has had just 16 inches of natural snow since December, Epp said, with the rest of the resort’s base coming from snow-making machines that line the mountain. |
| [Blizzard watch: Severe snowstorm probable Friday through Sunday] | [Blizzard watch: Severe snowstorm probable Friday through Sunday] |
| As a result of the warmer weather, many ski resorts have not been able to open up all downhill runs because of the lack of sufficient cover. But that probably will change in the next 48 hours, with many resorts planning to expand offerings once the snow arrives this weekend. | As a result of the warmer weather, many ski resorts have not been able to open up all downhill runs because of the lack of sufficient cover. But that probably will change in the next 48 hours, with many resorts planning to expand offerings once the snow arrives this weekend. |
| “The stars have aligned with the type of nor’easter where you’re getting cold from the north and moisture from the south, and we seem to be right around the bull’s-eye,” said Shawn Cassell, marketing director at Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. “It should be some of the best powder days we’ve had in a couple of years.” | |
| [Northeast ski resorts battle Mother Nature in exceptionally snowless winter — with photos] | [Northeast ski resorts battle Mother Nature in exceptionally snowless winter — with photos] |
| Katrina Gayman, director of marketing and sales at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Pa., said that the slopes opened Jan. 7 in one of the latest starts for a mountain more accustomed to welcoming customers the day after Thanksgiving. | Katrina Gayman, director of marketing and sales at Whitetail Resort in Mercersburg, Pa., said that the slopes opened Jan. 7 in one of the latest starts for a mountain more accustomed to welcoming customers the day after Thanksgiving. |
| Until now, Whitetail, which is one of the closest ski resorts to the District, at less than 90 miles away, had received barely a “dusting,” Gayman said. But forecasts call for up to a foot this weekend. | Until now, Whitetail, which is one of the closest ski resorts to the District, at less than 90 miles away, had received barely a “dusting,” Gayman said. But forecasts call for up to a foot this weekend. |
| “Once it starts coming down, it’s going to powder it all up,” Gayman said, noting that Whitetail expects to see more skiers next week if schools stay closed for days. | “Once it starts coming down, it’s going to powder it all up,” Gayman said, noting that Whitetail expects to see more skiers next week if schools stay closed for days. |
| Peter Moog, a skier from Ashburn, Va., said he is looking forward to heading to the slopes on a rare East Coast powder day. | Peter Moog, a skier from Ashburn, Va., said he is looking forward to heading to the slopes on a rare East Coast powder day. |
| “It will be a delight or a treat to have that kind of snow here,” said Moog, 49, who will be heading to Wisp for the varied terrain. | “It will be a delight or a treat to have that kind of snow here,” said Moog, 49, who will be heading to Wisp for the varied terrain. |
| Moog said the incoming storm will require a different style of skiing than East Coasters are used to. | Moog said the incoming storm will require a different style of skiing than East Coasters are used to. |
| In the powder, Moog said, skiers should enjoy the light feel of the skis over the fluffy snow and resist leaning hard into their edges. | In the powder, Moog said, skiers should enjoy the light feel of the skis over the fluffy snow and resist leaning hard into their edges. |
| “You get more of a floating sensation,” Moog said. “For somebody that hasn’t felt it, it’s hard to describe it.” | “You get more of a floating sensation,” Moog said. “For somebody that hasn’t felt it, it’s hard to describe it.” |
| Although the snowfall has the potential to fill resort lodges and pack chair lifts, there is also the possibility that the inclement weather could wreak havoc on roadways and electrical grids, making it difficult for skiers and boarders to get to the resorts — and for the resorts to operate. | Although the snowfall has the potential to fill resort lodges and pack chair lifts, there is also the possibility that the inclement weather could wreak havoc on roadways and electrical grids, making it difficult for skiers and boarders to get to the resorts — and for the resorts to operate. |
| With meteorologists predicting blizzard conditions for most of the Mid-Atlantic, keeping highways clear remains the greatest concern for ski resorts near the District. | With meteorologists predicting blizzard conditions for most of the Mid-Atlantic, keeping highways clear remains the greatest concern for ski resorts near the District. |
| “Those plows will be standing by,” said Epp, noting that early projections call for 20 to 30 inches of new snow at Wisp. “The state highway team definitely has our back when it comes to plowing our roads.” | “Those plows will be standing by,” said Epp, noting that early projections call for 20 to 30 inches of new snow at Wisp. “The state highway team definitely has our back when it comes to plowing our roads.” |
| Many resorts are offering lodging discounts and encouraging area skiers to arrive Thursday evening, with two-for-one deals and online booking discounts. | Many resorts are offering lodging discounts and encouraging area skiers to arrive Thursday evening, with two-for-one deals and online booking discounts. |
| “If you wait until Friday evening to come up, it’s going to be really hairy out there,” Cassell said. | “If you wait until Friday evening to come up, it’s going to be really hairy out there,” Cassell said. |
| The key for Snowshoe, he said, will be clearing roads on top of the mountain, elevation 4,848 feet. The twisty roads to the top can be treacherous even without an icy layer on top. But plow trucks will be running throughout the weekend, Cassell said. | The key for Snowshoe, he said, will be clearing roads on top of the mountain, elevation 4,848 feet. The twisty roads to the top can be treacherous even without an icy layer on top. But plow trucks will be running throughout the weekend, Cassell said. |
| At Seven Springs Mountain Resort in southwestern Pennsylvania, officials have created a special promotion for the snowfall called the “My name is snowstorm Jonas” lodging and lift-ticket package, at $121.50 per person per night. (The apt name comes from the hit 1994 Weezer song: “A lot of kids that grew up in the ’90s work in our office,” said spokesman Katie Buchan.) | |
| Buchan said the resort will allow employees to stay the night on the property to ensure that the facilities are up and running as usual in the big storm, which could bring up to a foot of snow at Seven Springs. | Buchan said the resort will allow employees to stay the night on the property to ensure that the facilities are up and running as usual in the big storm, which could bring up to a foot of snow at Seven Springs. |
| “We’re hoping this is the storm of the season,” Buchan said. “We’re really looking forward to a little help from Mother Nature.” | “We’re hoping this is the storm of the season,” Buchan said. “We’re really looking forward to a little help from Mother Nature.” |