Listed here are the brand new upgrades and enhancements at Blue Ridge ski resorts it is advisable to know
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for an alternative choice to your yard go-to, or an action-packed household trip at a brand new resort, current upgrades have made these Blue Ridge ski areas extra visit-worthy than ever. From new high-speed lifts to candy offers and recent trails, our 2024-25 fast information provides you the information it is advisable to choose the proper spot—and have a blast whilst you’re there.
Wisp Mountain, Maryland
Maryland’s lone downhill resort has seen a flurry of enhancements in recent times. Final season introduced the strategic addition of about two dozen new everlasting snow weapons—together with 16 on signature black-diamond, The Face—which freed up moveable items to be used in heavy site visitors areas close to decrease lifts. This yr follows go well with, with the resort’s essential studying space, Sundown Boulevard, getting all new TechnoAlpin stick weapons.
Snowmaking capability alongside signature blue routes like Boulder Run, Grouse Method, and Down Beneath has additionally gotten a lift from new, bigger diameter water pipes. New LED and bright-snow lights have been put in alongside these trails, in addition to Wisp Path, The Face, and Squirrel Cage. Snowboards, skis, poles, and boots on the resort’s essential rental store have additionally all been changed. Lastly, the snowtubing space has gotten a brand new and improved carpet conveyor elevate to expedite journeys to the highest.
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Guests can now get pleasure from video games of minigolf at a brand new 18-hole course with tons of cool options that was constructed final yr. Observe with rides on a 4,800-foot mountain coaster that brings speeds round 28 mph, 350 toes of vertical drop, and stunningly scenic mountain views.
Blue Mountain Resort, Pennsylvania
The long-lasting northeast Pennsylvania resort has invested closely in boosting snowmaking capability throughout its 171 skiable acres and 40 trails over the previous 5 years—and this season isn’t any exception.
Blue Mountain added 132 state-of-the-art stick weapons and 6 automated followers to extend powder manufacturing by a whopping 17.5% general. These come on prime of one other 79 stick weapons and 26 absolutely automated fan items—to not point out some 20,000 toes of latest air and water piping—put in final yr. Collectively, the enhancements make the resort residence to what it claims is the most important snowmaking system on the East Coast.
The upgrades are additional magnified by a complete overhaul round snowmaking automation software program. Based on spokesperson Ashley Seier, that can allow Blue Mountain to maximise manufacturing throughout important snowmaking home windows to provide extra—and higher—snow, quicker, with much less effort, and larger power effectivity.
The addition of a brand new Bison X Cat snow groomer from Prinoth ought to elevate the park crew’s skill to construct and keep the resort’s 5 terrain parks.
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Try what often is the coolest snowtubing park on the East Coast. Blue Mountain’s 46-lane heart brings a quick and livid 1,000 vertical toes of drop, interactive neon-colored celebration lighting, and a killer stereo system. Observe with drinks, pub fare, and summit views at Slopeside Pub & Grill.
Snowshoe, West Virginia
The “Beast of the East” turns 50 this yr and plans to have a good time its December 19, 1974 launch with a slew of particular occasions and anniversary gross sales. An extended weekend of festivities begins on that day of this yr and can function fireworks shows, retro-themed events with stay music on and off the slopes, and freestyle rail jam occasions. Golden anniversary lodging offers deliver $50-a-night reductions paired with $50 grownup elevate tickets (college students and children are even cheaper).
A brand new $199 Flex 3 Go lets riders get monetary savings and span visits out throughout three non-holiday carve classes at any level through the season. Tickets can be utilized non-consecutively, so there’s no must decide to particular dates.
Piste enhancements are restricted this yr, however hard-hitting. Standard blue-level path, J-Hook, acquired a facelift and was widened to about twice its authentic measurement. A brand new towrope will service the Silver Creek space’s two terrain parks and assist ease site visitors at close by lifts.
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Journey-loving foodies ought to make a beeline for Appalachian Kitchen, the place chef Scott MacGregor’s new American, Appalachian-focused delicacies earned him a semi-finalist spot on the James Beard Basis’s 2024 Finest Chef listing. Wash down the made-from-scratch meal with slopeside craft beers and regionally sourced ciders at Previous Spruce Brewing.
Ober Mountain, Tennessee
Gatlinburg’s well-known ski vacation spot has undergone some large upgrades since native entrepreneur Joe Baker purchased the place in 2022—and the development continues this yr.
A brand new Doppelmayr mounted grip quad replaces the resort’s central chairlift and will increase carrying capability on essential slopes to upward of 4,000 passengers per hour. A second new quad has changed the wildly outdated Scenic Carry to the viewing platform on the summit of three,455-foot Mount Harrison. The elevate at the moment providers a lone blue route that begins halfway up the mountain, however the addition appears to foreshadow new trails sooner or later.
All this comes on the again of a $4 million funding in snowmaking tools final yr. A brand new fleet of absolutely automated SMI Tremendous Polecat towers—like those used within the Winter Olympics—will let snow farmers make extra snow, sooner, in increased temperatures, and with much less water. The improve improves slope protection to 95% and will permit makers to construct three to 5 toes of foundational snow.
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Catch a journey to or from downtown Gatlinburg on Ober Mountain’s famed, 2.1-mile-long Aerial Tramway. The expertise carries friends excessive above the treetops in one of many nation’s largest enclosed cable automobiles and brings gorgeous views of Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park. obermountain.com
Sugar Mountain Ski Resort, North Carolina
With 125 skiable acres unfold throughout 21 trails and 1,200 toes of vertical drop, Sugar Mountain is a revered ski resort in North Carolina’s Excessive Nation. And given the onslaught of enhancements revamped the previous seven years, it appears destined to maintain getting higher.
Final yr rounded out tasks that changed each chairlift on the mountain—slashing common journey occasions by practically 80%—and boosted general snowmaking capability by greater than 20%. The 2024-25 season builds on the enhancements with a close to double widening of the closely trafficked Northridge path, which connects the 5,300-foot summit to signature black diamond Gunther’s Method and different routes. The piste additionally will get new and brighter LED lights for night time snowboarding, in addition to three absolutely automated SMI Tremendous Pole Cat snowmakers for larger protection.
Main newbie slope, Decrease Flying Mile, may even profit from a brand new SMI unit. A Pisten Bully 600 winch cat and two Bully 600 free groomers will assist farmers craft impeccable corduroy and transfer extra snow quicker with much less damaging environmental influence.
Whereas You’re There
Reap the benefits of Sugar’s 10,000-square-foot out of doors ice-skating rink. Lace up your skates and revel in jaw-dropping views of surrounding western North Carolina valleys and highlands as you’re taking laps on the professionally groomed floor. Observe with dinner and drinks at Stonewalls Restaurant in close by Banner Elk.
Extra Slope Notes
Final season Virginia’s Massanutten Resort added the double black path No Hesitation to supply one thing new for excessive skiers. And down in North Carolina, 5,506’, the bar and restaurant on the summit of Beech Mountain Resort, acquired renovated simply in time for the ski season. With a spruced-up inside, it’s an ideal spot to sip a brew from Beech Mountain Brewing Co. and soak within the Excessive Nation views.
Cowl picture: Snowshoe Mountain Resort turns 50 this month and can have a good time with occasions all through the ski season. Picture courtesy of Snowshoe Mountain Resort
