Ski Southeast Messageboard

Well getting there was an adventure in itself. Normally it takes about 45 minutes to get there from Helvetia, so with the snow we left at 7:05 to ensure I kept hold of my rein on first chair. Roads where horrible, coming down to the bottom on 219 from the train trestle 10 mph was max, and I have mud tires on the truck. Pulled into my private spot at 8:51, ran frantically out to the slopes and made rope drop. First run was absolutely awesome, being out in front 6 inches of powder covering fresh groom with no tracks. Second run was great as well, and 3-4 had a few lines in them but shallow ditches where to still be had. Then from about 10-11:15 the mountain turned to chop city. Still great conditions, but we the heavy wet snow on the goggles you had to turn it down a notch. At that point the power went out, stuck on the lift for about 15 minutes and then the slopes where closed for a half hour so. When we came back out after that, the slopes had seen enough traffic to smooth out down the center of each run. So a few fast laps and then we called it a day. Overall an excellent first day on snow, and I give a big props to their Mountain Ops Crew. Oh yeah, they had the full progression park open too.

Thanks for the report, interesting about the roads I guess WVDOT isn't in winter mode yet.

I'll be out there soon I hope, have the season pass from the end of last year -- me and 20,000 others

I went to the Shoe on Friday (28th). Arrive at TOW at 915am, it was 11 degF. Met up with Wakeboarder in parking lot. Nothing open from Soaring Eagle lift so we shuttled to village. No need to hit the Depot for pass activation this year was nice. We lapped Spruce and Grabhammer for a couple hours,12+ runs. Both had great base with a few inches new fresh. Left side of Spruce was ungroomed with soft snow and bumps that held all day. Grabhmr got icy on top mid day, but the rest held well. Crowds picked up about 11am, usual peak 2-3pm. Nothing unusual or intolerable for Nov skiing.

Few pics...

Lift ride in trees


11am crowd


View from top


Wakeboarders kids joined us in the afternoon and we continued to hit Spruce mostly. They are on SS race team and great skiers for their ages.

Overall a great day to start the season. Wish I had taken my Soul7s, but I didn't have them waxed and didn't expect conditions to be so good. Oh well, it was good to get going.

^^^ that looks great --no Brook Barrel? see you all soon