CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fresh snow is coming to the mountains of North Carolina just in time for people planning ski trips for the long holiday weekend.
Ski lovers are rejoicing the forecast, with several inches of snowfall possible in the mountains between Friday and Saturday. The higher snow totals are likely in the higher elevations.
“Natural snow is so much more enjoyable and fun," Kim Jochl, vice president at Ski Sugar, said. "It creates a much more winter atmosphere up here at Sugar Mountain.”
Jochl says with only five inches of natural snow so far this season, most of the snow is man-made. She hopes the fresh powder could set them up for success by allowing workers to open more trails.
"When it's cold, 15-20 degrees for two or three days, we can really put down a lot of snow and build up that base," she said. "Then, when we do get a warm spell, it doesn't affect us too bad. It might reduce our base by an inch or two, but we still have coverage all over the mountain."
Two months into ski season, Ski Sugar has five lifts and 15 slopes open with an average depth of 31-75 inches.
“Weather is the sole dictator in our attendance," Jochl said. "And if there’s a snowstorm in perfect conditions on a Thursday or a Tuesday, people say the heck with work, I’m going skiing.”
Jochl said upcoming wintry weather is always good for business. She encourages anyone planning to a ski trip to plan ahead, especially on holiday weekends. Ski season is expected to last until March in the North Carolina mountains.
Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.