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‘Bluebird’ Day on Slopes in the High Country, Cold & Sunny With More Snow on the Way

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It’s a “bluebird” day across the High Country. Sugar Mountain Resort is looking plenty white, and this is before the monster snowstorm that is forecasted for the next few days. Photo by Ken Ketchie

By Jesse Wood

Nearly 90 percent of the slopes are open at the three ski resorts in the High Country on a gorgeous “bluebird” day.

The skies are blue and the ground is white. The temperature is below freezing, great for coverage and more snowmaking, and perfect if you are moving around the slopes in the sunshine.

Request for comment about the conditions from Beech Mountain Resort spokesperson Talia Freeman and Sugar Mountain Resort’s Vice President Kim Jochl elicited similar responses on a workday.

“I am sitting in my office, which is really tough considering conditions are amazing!  We are incredibly happy with the accumulation thus far, and the conditions are some of the best we have had in years!” Freeman said.

“No one should have to work on a day like today. It’s the essence of winter. Conditions are beautiful. We are all looking forward to the weekend,” Jochl said.

Drew Stanley at Appalachian Ski Mtn. added: “What a perfect day to ski & ride! We have made tons of snow all over the mountain, and the last bit of natural snow last night was the icing on the cake! The sky today was one of the bluest I have ever seen, just perfect. No doubt this huge snowstorm will further keep conditions fresh and deepen the base. We will be working diligently to keep our entrance road scraped and salted during the storm.”

Sugar Mountain Resort has a 42 to 90 inch base with seven lifts and 18 slopes open.

Appalachian Ski Mtn. in Blowing Rock has a 40 to 62 inch base with all nine slopes, three terrain parks and all six lifts and pulls open and running.

Beech Mountain Resort has a 25 to 70 inch base with all 13 slopes and four lifts open.

This taking place at Beech Mountain this weekend:

Beech Mountain Resort is hosting your favorite ice queen and princess, along with several other family friendly activities!  The excitement starts this Friday at 5:30 p.m., with live music in the Beech Mountain Brewing Co.  TreeHouse, North Carolina’s favorite Reggae Jam Rock Band, is known for their original sound and has frequented venues all over the east coast!

On Saturday, the family fun begins at the Town of Beech Mountain Sledding Hill.  Join in for snowman building, snow angels, and snowball fights!  From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. visit with Anna and Elsa at Beech Mountain Resort.  Anna and Elsa will be available for a meet and greet in the View Haus Cafeteria, combined with FREE face painting!  Enjoy ice skating for only $15, or tubing at the resort’s brand new tubing facility for only $30. 

At 4:30 p.m., enter the first annual Family Game Night in the Beech Tree Bar and Grille.  Win tickets to Tweetsie Railroad, tubing, gift certificates to local restaurants, and other prizes from various sponsors.  Finish the night with live music from The Storks, starting at 7:00 p.m.. 

Your favorite ice princess and queen will return to the View Haus on Sunday at 1 p.m., with FREE face painting for kids!  This is a weekend your family does not want to miss!!

RaysWeather.com forecasts that 18 to 24 inches of snow will fall on the High Country and the northwestern portion of the state from Thursday night through Saturday night. The skies are then expected to clear up by Sunday.

Below are photos of App Ski Mtn. on Thursday, courtesy of Stanley.

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