Just say NO to Spring!

Cold weather and recent snowfall in the mountains are helping to extend the season at some local ski areas. Here's a quick update.

West Mountain's Slush Cup and Family Fun Day is Saturday, March 26, 10am to 5pm, with pond skimming contest, cardboard sled races on the Face Slope, scavenger hunt and outdoor BBQ. Word is that West is shooting to stay open into April.

Hickory received 5" of snow on Monday and will be open this weekend with fine spring conditions expected. This may be the last weekend of the season so come and enjoy spring skiing at Hickory! The return of the Hickory Follies is this Saturday, March 26. There will be fun races for all ages, face painting, clown, Crazy Hat Contest (decorate a hat or your helmet!), sledding after skiing, fun and games. A slopeside barbecue will be available and bring a dish to share for our after ski potluck dinner. Come, celebrate Hickory with friends and family! With temperatures in the low to mid 30's during the day and below freezing at night, our base is holding up well and remains at over two feet in most places.

Gore should make it until at least the second weekend in April, and has a "Your Park Never Dies" RAIL RALLY scheduled for Saturday, April 9 and Pond Skimming Contest on Sunday, April 10. Also, "Take Your Son to Gore Week" continues through this Sunday, March 27 with free skiing for sons 19 & under with full paying parent.

Lapland Lake Nordic Center may well take the prize for the latest local closing date. YTD snowfall is 152 inches, including 5 inches this past Monday. Master Groomer and Olympian Olavi Hirvonen continues to groom daily and reports their compacted base depth is more than 2-1/2 feet with more than 3-1/2 feet in the woods. Olavi and Ann report: "No bare spots, no taking off skis - not even close! We're going to try to beat our all-time latest closing date of April 22nd! If we can ski until Easter, April 24, we will!"

Photo credits: Gore Mountain