Snowmaking has commenced on Snowshoe Mountain in the mountains of eastern West Virginia, and officials at the resort complex have announced its 2019-2020 calendar of winter events.
"We were able to start making snow overnight in preparation for the upcoming ski season, which we hope to kick-off Friday, Nov. 22," resort spokesman Shawn Cassell said Saturday morning.
Overnight temperatures on the mountain at more than 4,000 feet above sea level are now reliably below freezing, which means the resort will be able to open on schedule, barring unseasonable weather.
Last year the resort employed a new $4 million snowmaking system, and despite a low natural snowfall, it was able to provide more snow terrain than ever before.
Going into year-two, Cassel says “our snowmaking team has an even better handle on the new equipment,” and that should produce even better results.
Scheduled to open the weekend before Thanksgiving Week, the resort will operate in its winter mode through March 29.
Snowshoe Events Calendar | Winter 2019/20
NOVEMBER 22 | Opening Day (weather permitting)
NOVEMBER 28 - 30 | Thanksgiving Weekend Celebration
DECEMBER 13 | Opening Day for Silver Creek & Coca-Cola Tubing Park
DECEMBER 14 | Park Jam presented by Smith
DECEMBER 14| Winter Brewfest
DECEMBER 15| WV Ski FREE Day
DECEMBER 20-January 2 |Holiday Celebration
DECEMBER 31 | New Year’s Eve Celebration
JANUARY 4-5 | Burton Women’s Snowboard Camp
JANUARY 11- 12|Burton Kid’s Snowboard Camp
JANUARY 25-26|HEAD Women’s Ski Camp
FEBRUARY 3|Cupp Run Challenge presented by Oakley
FEBRUARY 8 | Progression Session
FEBRUARY 21 | Winter Gala presented by the Snowshoe Foundation
FEBRUARY 22|Berming Man Banked Slalom presented by Oakley
MARCH 7-8| Homegrown Music Festival
MARCH 13-14|Ballhooter Spring Break Festival
MARCH 15 | Closing Day for Silver Creek & Coca-Cola Tubing Park
MARCH 21 | Snowshoe Pond Skim
MARCH 22 | WV Ski FREE Day
MARCH 28| Pass Holder Appreciation Party
MARCH 29| Last day of ski season
For more information, visit the full Winter 2019/20 Events Calendar
Snow Guarantee
As always, Snowshoe extends its snow guarantee through the upcoming season, promising skiers more skiable terrain than any other Southeastern ski area from December 13, 2019, through March 15, 2020, or the next day of skiing is free.
November chill recalls legend of Braxton County bear hunter
“People in that area say that on one occasion in November he went hunting with his muzzle-loading rifle and his dog, Bounce. After walking half the day, he reached a rocky hill on which unmistakable signs of bear could be detected. It was not long before the bear appeared, and immediately the big, black animal received a charge from Barnett’s muzzle-loader. Then the dog was upon it, and a fierce, if uneven, fight ensued. Read the full story here.
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