Cold Weather Helps Several East Coast Ski Resorts Open Early

An early intrusion of arctic air moved through much of the Eastern United States to start the week, bringing the first snow of the season to many and helping several ski resorts open their doors this week! While the Great Lakes were dealing with heavy lake effect snow, a burst of snow around a small low pressure system moved from the Midwest into Tennessee and the Carolinas, surprising some residents in the Mid-South.

Snow totals were able to top 6 inches on many of the higher peaks and ridges through the Appalachians, including in North Carolina. A trace of snow was even reported in the Piedmont of North Carolina and in northern Georgia!

The Northeast reported totals of over 12 inches as well with the early week system, which aids the ski resorts that have already been making snow for over a week or two thanks to colder temperatures the last few weeks. Despite the two week head start on snow making, a resort in North Carolina became the first in the East to open its slopes to riders on Tuesday, beating New England resorts like Killington (VT) and Sunday River (ME) by one day! Those resorts opened Wednesday, the 12th, for the first time this season.

We spoke to the Vice President at Sugar Mountain in Avery County, near Banner Elk, about the early start to the season.

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