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March Madness, Spring Fever Blowout at Area Winter Resorts as Season Winds Down With Perfect Conditions

App Ski Mountain has "excellent conditions today after snowmaking last night," according to marketing director Drew Stanley. Photo by Drew Stanley
App Ski Mountain has “excellent conditions today [Tuesday, March 4] after snowmaking last night,” according to marketing director Drew Stanley. Photo by Drew Stanley

March 4, 2014. With plenty of snow present and cold weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, March is shaping up to be one of the finest endings to a winter season in recent memory. While this is icing on the proverbial cake for resorts in the High Country, the customers receive deep discounts for essentially the same high-quality product offered during the prime winter months – awesome conditions to ski, snowboard and tube.

“We still have a lot of snow right now. This is probably the most snow we’ve had at this time of the year in a very long time,” said Talia Freeman, Beech Mountain Resort’s marketing director. “I feel confident in the product that is on the hill and we’re going to stay open as long as we can.”

In a release, Beech Mountain Resort noted that the “definite advantages to hitting the slopes in March” were the moderate temperatures, extended daylight hours, shorter lift times and discounts. Beech Mountain Resort is offering weekday pricing for all seven days of the week for lift tickets and “stay-and-ski” packages. See all discounts here.

The Spring Fever Blowout at Beech Mountain Resort began on Monday. Photo submitted
The Spring Fever Blowout at Beech Mountain Resort began on Monday. Photo submitted

Noting yesterday’s snowfall and the chilly temperatures on Tuesday, Kim Jochl, vice president and marketing director for Sugar Mountain Resort, said Sugar has a base of nearly 40 inches and that the resort is 100 percent open, which includes all 20 slopes, four tubing lanes and the skating rink.

Sugar Mountain Resort began its annual March Madness discounts on Monday where skiers and snowboarders enjoy 25 percent savings on lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons for the remainder of the winter season. Plus, Winter Value Packages are discounted at 40 percent. See a full slate of events happening at Sugar Mountain Resort during March here and brief synopsis below. 

“Hopefully, we’ll get a little more snow in the next couple of days and the temperature stays cool, below freezing to keep the snow nice and firm and not melted,” Jochl said. “If it doesn’t melt away, we’re looking good.”

  • Sunday, March 9 – Sugar Bear’s Birthday Celebration
  • Sunday March 9, – Dick Trundy Sugar Cup Giant Slalom Competition
  • Sunday, March 16 – Eight Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Slopes

Just like the other resorts, Appalachian Ski Mtn has a full slate of events happening in March, events that Drew Stanley, marketing director for Appalachian Ski Mtn, said appealed to spectators as well as skiers and snowboarders.  Check out the full slate of events happening at the Blowing Rock resort (here) up until the final day scheduled this 2013-14 winter season, which is Sunday, March 23.

“I can tell you this March is shaping up better than in recent years. We’ve got, I would say, record snow depth, and App Ski Mtn is the only resort continuing to make snow,” Stanley said. “[With the current] conditions here, you would think it’s January not March. The snow is fantastic.”

ASM is also offering a special Unlimited March Pass for only $75, which is less than the price of two weekend tickets, Stanley noted. This pass is good until closing day March 23, so riders can enjoy the full lineup of events we have scheduled.

  • Friday, March 7 – Dragon Fresh Friday 3
  • Saturday, March 8 – Never Summer Signature Feature Photo Jam
  • Sunday, March 16 – St. Patrick’s Day Jam with High Fives, Nighttrain
  • Saturday, March 22 – Meltdown Games and Red Bull Schlittentag
  • Sunday, March 23 – Neff Beach Bash

Across the High Country atop Seven Devils, Hawksnest Tubing Resort is staying open as long as snow is prevalent and it is cold on and off the mountain. Lennie Cottom, owner of Hawksnest, mentioned that if it is too warm down the mountain – even if plenty of snow is on the ground in the High Country – folks are more likely to get cabin fever and break out the golf clubs rather than travel to the High Country to enjoy winter activities.

“So far, so good. It’s still cold, and we’ve got plenty of snow,” Cottom said. “We’ll keep going as long as it stays cold and people keep coming.”