New England Ski Resorts Shout ‘Hallelujah’ for This ‘Winter Storm Celebration’
While many of us are preparing to hunker down for what’s being called a “historic’’ amount of snow heading our way, ski resort officials are downright giddy.
“This is kind of what we live for,’’ said Jamie Cobbett, marketing event manager at Waterville Valley in New Hampshire “We’re looking forward to it.’’
New England ski resorts are posting things like “Hallelujah’’ and unofficially renaming this nor’easter a “Winter Storm Celebration.’’
Waterville is expecting a foot of snow, said Cobbett. And, yes, the mountain will be open.
When asked if he’d feel the same way with 2 to 3 feet of snow heading his way, Cobbett didn’t hesitate.
“Yup! Absolutely,’’ said the New Hampshire native.
After all, large amounts of natural snow are what ski resort dreams are made of.
“We’ve had some natural snow, but the natural snow is lower than it was last year at this point,’’ said Cobbett.
The vibe in the mountains is a happy one this week, he said. We could certainly feel that happiness in today’s snow report written by the mountain’s snow reporter Steve Dryan, who wrote on the site: “More snow has fallen, making the conditions here at Waterville something to write home about! Even better, we are expecting a potential nor’easter to bring us even more of that fluffly white stuff on Tuesday!’’
“The only thing that would be crippling to us would be the wind,’’ said Cobbett.
When a nor’easter brings, say, 50 mile-per-hour winds, the mountain’s higher trails might need to close down for lift-safety reasons, said Cobbett. So he recommended keeping your eye on the website’s snow report.
Folks who do ski Waterville Valley tomorrow can enjoy $10 lift tickets thanks to a Super Bowl promotion. On Tuesday, January 27 only, skiers and riders will be charged the amount of points the New England Patriots held the Colts to (with a minimum of $10 a ticket). Since the Pats held them to 7 points, tickets are just $10. (Attention deal seekers: If the Pats win the Super Bowl, you’ll want to head back to Waterville Valley next Tuesday February 3, because tickets will be free).
Folks at Loon Mountain in New Hampshire sound happy this morning as well.
“The forecasters are calling this ‘The Storm of the Year’ or ‘The Worse Since ‘78,’ but to me it sounds like it is going to be an absolute blast,’’ is what officials are writing on Loon Mountain’s website today. “Conditions have been great lately, and this is only going to make them even more incredible, and hopefully allow us to open up the glades!’’
Loon is expected to get 8 to 16 inches of snow, according to its site. Loon is advising folks on its site to get to the mountain before the flakes fall: “After all, if you are here and you ‘can’t leave because it is snowing,’ then you might as well stay and make some turns over the next few days.’’
The snow report coming out of Okemo Mountain in Vermont this morning goes like this: “The weather over the next few days is what we skiers and riders live for. There is already a Winter Storm Warning in effect until mid-day Wednesday … or as we like to call it, a Winter Storm Celebration!’’
A pair of skiers on the summit of Okemo Mountain Resort.
Okemo is expected to get 8 to 14 inches by Tuesday night, according to the post.
In Maine, Sugarloaf is saying “Hallelujah’’ on its site.
“Hallelujah Sugarloafers, it looks like there’s snow on the way! After what seems like forever since our last powder day, Mother Nature has finally seen our snow dances and is cooking up a big nor’easter expected to hit us tomorrow,’’ wrote Sugarloaf officials today.
The mountain is expected to see a foot or more of snow. And, according to Sugarloaf, skiers and riders spent yesterday predicting this week’s snow amounts and smiling big.
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