The nights are getting colder, the leaves are changing colors, and anticipation for another winter season continues to build here on the mountain. Snowshoe is planning to kick off the 2022/23 winter season on Wednesday, November 23, weather permitting (November 22 if you’re a season pass holder!). As we countdown to opening day, here are a few essential things to know.
Enhanced Beginner Experience
Countless skiers and snowboarders have taken their first turns on Snowshoe’s Skidder slope over the years, making it a special place for many. They’ve spent the last few months revamping the hill to make it better than ever for many seasons. Snowshoe’s operations team brought in over 4,000 cubic yards of dirt and stone, removing some of the disjointed fall lines and creating a long, broad slope with just the right pitch for learning the basics. The new-look Skidder is now better suited for hosting significant summer events like our 4848 Festival.
They’ve also given their snowmaking team some heavy artillery to work with on Skidder, with 15 new fully automated, high-volume DemacLenko fan guns. These upgrades will allow us to make more snow on Skidder in a shorter time. This improved efficiency will mean a better surface for beginners and enable their snowmakers to focus on other mountain areas (like the Western Territory!).
New Village Access from Grabhammer Lift
Another priority for Snowshoe this offseason was to create an alternative to their Ballhooter Lift for accessing the Village. To accomplish this, they’ve removed the carpet lift from Skidder and relocated it just above the Grabhammer Lift (along Cross-Cut). Now, if you’re skiing on a busy day and wait times at Ballhooter start to creep upward, you can ride up Grabhammer instead, hop right off it and onto the carpet, dropping you off straight across from the Junction Ale House.
Snowmaking Upgrades for Silver Creek & Progression Terrain Park
Skidder isn’t the only slope with a new snowmaking setup for this winter. Fifteen fan guns have been positioned along the primary route at Silver Creek (Knife Blade, Cant Hook, Greenhorn, etc.) and will be fully automated.
Progression Park also got 20 new automated stick guns, giving their park crew more snow to work with. Translation – bigger, better park builds right off the bat, with more consistent surface conditions.
Why is automation critical, you ask? The answer is simple. Every minute of cooperative, cold temperatures is an opportunity to make snow. It can take a whole crew several hours to manually turn on all the snowguns on a trail and just as many hours to turn them back off when temperatures rise. With automation, the guns start pumping out snow the second the temperature drops. That means their snowmakers can start faster, run later, and take advantage of brief windows that might’ve been missed in years past. The flow of water to the guns is also controlled by automation. If the temperature drops further during a snowmaking session, the guns automatically increase the volume of water, which means more snow is being made.
New Locations for Depot, Kids World, and Pre-Ski
Following the loss of the Shavers Center, we’ve moved some things around here on the mountain.
The Depot – Now located along the Skidder Slope, adjacent to Expedition Station. The ticketing windows will be facing the walking path, and all regular services will remain, such as ticketing, activities, events, and season pass fulfillment.
Ski School & Pre-Ski – Drop Off & Pick Up for Kids World, Group & Private Lessons will continue to be on Skidder Slope, next to Expedition Rentals & The Depot. Pre-Ski Drop Off is on the Lower Level of Mountain Lodge. Even though Kids World pick-up & drop-off is not in Mountain Lodge, Kids World activities will take place there, and parents are welcome to visit the Parent Zone. There is a viewing area of the new teaching terrain on Mountain Lodge Lawn, and you can grab a bite at the Basin for lunch.
New Dining Options in Mountain Lodge
Without the Shavers Center, you may wonder where the mountain’s “day lodge” will be moving forward. We’re pleased to announce that The Basin, located on the lower level of the Mountain Lodge, will fill this role in the near future. Stop in and warm up, grab a bite to eat, and check in with your crew.
They’re also excited to introduce Al Dente Ristorante, a new dinner option located on the lower level of the Mountain Lodge. This new spot will specialize in Italian favorites, with generous portions – great for families and groups.
New Mobile App
Snowshoe is stoked to roll out an all-new Snowshoe Mobile App for Winter 22/23! Download the app, and boom, you’ve got all things Snowshoe right at the tip of your fingers. Track your runs and earn badges, check the Snow Report, navigate the mountain with live walking directions, purchase tickets and activities, and keep in touch with your ski buddies, all in real time.
The Snowshoe Mobile App will be available for download in November.
Winter Events Calendar
It will be another action-packed winter with all sorts of fun events. Here’s what’s on tap:
- November 22 | Passholder/Employee Preview Day*
- November 23 | Winter Opening Day*
- December 11 | WV Ski FREE Day
- December 16 | Opening Day for Silver Creek & Coca-Cola Tubing Park*
- December 17 | Winter Brewfest
- December 22-31 | Holiday Celebrations
- December 31 | New Year’s Eve Parties
- January 21-22 | Pride Weekend *New for Winter 22/23*
- February 6 | Cupp Run Challenge
- February 11 | Uphill Thang & Randonnée Moonlight Shuffle Race
- February 25-26 | USASA Boarder/Skier Cross Race
- March 4-5 | Berming Man & Turning Man Banked Slalom
- March 11-12 | College Weekend
- March 12 | Silver Creek & Coca-Cola Tubing Park Closing Day
- March 18 | Pond Skim
- March 19 | WV Ski FREE Day
- March 25-26 | Spring Send It! (Box Derby, Duck Race & Village Block Party)
- March 26 | Last day of ski season
Get more information about Winter events here.
*Weather Dependent
Flurry of Savings
If you’re hoping to save big on your next trip to the ‘Shoe, take advantage of our annual Flurry of Savings event, September 27- October 6. This year, we’ve got a blizzard of good deals lined up for you. Take advantage and save 20% on lodging, lift tickets, and rentals. They’ll also offer a limited number of 2’Fer Passes – $129 each – suitable for any two non-holiday, midweek days (Mon-Thurs). Available only while supplies last.