Let's Open

We are going to open tomorrow, Thursday, October 29 at 9AM. As we get close to opening, we spend a lot time looking at the snowmaking numbers, pumping rates, stream flows, reservoir recharge rates, temperature forecasts, etc. We try and figure out just when opening can occur. By this past Sunday we were thinking we could get open by Thursday or Friday "IF" everything went well. Well, conditions since then have been ideal and we received several more inches of snow. As of this morning we have enough snow, so...........................tomorrow it is.

While there is plenty of snow on the trail, it will take every bit of the next 23 hours to get the place ready. There is lots of snowcat work, ski patrol work, lift op work and general ski area work to get done in that time. Thanks to all of you for your support. Here's to a great opening.

Let's Open

We are going to open tomorrow, Thursday, October 29 at 9AM. As we get close to opening, we spend a lot time looking at the snowmaking numbers, pumping rates, stream flows, reservoir recharge rates, temperature forecasts, etc. We try and figure out just when opening can occur. By this past Sunday we were thinking we could get open by Thursday or Friday "IF" everything went well. Well, conditions since then have been ideal and we received several more inches of snow. As of this morning we have enough snow, so...........................tomorrow it is.

While there is plenty of snow on the trail, it will take every bit of the next 23 hours to get the place ready. There is lots of snowcat work, ski patrol work, lift op work and general ski area work to get done in that time. Thanks to all of you for your support. Here's to a great opening.

Opening Day Mug Club

These very snappy 20 ounce "Mug Club" vessels go on sale at 9 AM Opening Day.

Opening Day Mug Club

These very snappy 20 ounce "Mug Club" vessels go on sale at 9 AM Opening Day.

All Day Long

The natural snowfall intensified this afternoon. The temperature stayed cool enough to keep the snowmaking system running all day. Patrick and I just walked High Noon. There is substantially more snow, both natural and man-made, on the trail than when I walked it yesterday. It is cold and the temperature is dropping. The reservoir has plenty of water in it. The outlook is "SNOWY". I will walk the trail again first thing tomorrow morning to check out the snowmaking. This is very good.

All Day Long

The natural snowfall intensified this afternoon. The temperature stayed cool enough to keep the snowmaking system running all day. Patrick and I just walked High Noon. There is substantially more snow, both natural and man-made, on the trail than when I walked it yesterday. It is cold and the temperature is dropping. The reservoir has plenty of water in it. The outlook is "SNOWY". I will walk the trail again first thing tomorrow morning to check out the snowmaking. This is very good.

Snowing Lightly - Snowmaking Heavily

We had another good night of snowmaking. Tonight should be colder and ever better.  I have heard several comments about the willows (brush) at the very bottom of High Noon. They are 5+ feet tall. Right now the snow in the willows is about 2 feet deep. They are very flexible and will easily bend over as the snowcats start pushing snow around. There is a large pile of snow just above them that will be used to cover them. So here is an insider tip for you - The willows are not a very good indicator for how well snowmaking is doing. You will see the willows until the cats start dozing..........and the snowcat drivers are going to start dozing tomorrow, Wednesday. Having snowcats on the hill "IS" a good indicator for how well snowmaking is doing.

Snowing Lightly - Snowmaking Heavily

We had another good night of snowmaking. Tonight should be colder and ever better.  I have heard several comments about the willows (brush) at the very bottom of High Noon. They are 5+ feet tall. Right now the snow in the willows is about 2 feet deep. They are very flexible and will easily bend over as the snowcats start pushing snow around. There is a large pile of snow just above them that will be used to cover them. So here is an insider tip for you - The willows are not a very good indicator for how well snowmaking is doing. You will see the willows until the cats start dozing..........and the snowcat drivers are going to start dozing tomorrow, Wednesday. Having snowcats on the hill "IS" a good indicator for how well snowmaking is doing.