Well winter has finally made an appearance here in the Johnstown area. Snow began falling during the morning hours on Friday and is expected to continue through Saturday evening. And according to their posts on Facebook, the local resorts couldn’t be more pleased. This should make this weekend a great one for skiing and snowboarding.
The snow has been accompanied with colder temperatures and winds which prompted the National Weather Service in State College to issue a winter weather advisory for Cambria County for 3 to 6 inches of total snow accumulations by the end of the storm on Saturday. Somerset County is under a winter storm warning with snow totals from 6 to 10 inches by the storm’s end. Forecasts are calling for the snow to continue Saturday into the evening hours. Snow should taper off overnight Saturday to greet us with a sunny day on Sunday. High temperatures will be in the upper twenties on Saturday and just above freezing Sunday through Christmas day on Tuesday. Wind chills will be factor on the slopes on Saturday with winds up to 24 mph and gusts that could reach 38 mph.
Hidden Valley is now open for the season following a regular schedule. They have received 7 inches of snow from the storm with up to another 3 to 4 inches of snow possible. They have also been able to add 3 inches of machine-made snow. They currently have 8 runs open for skiing, but no terrain parks. They do have two rail parks open on Upper Continental Trail. They are reporting a base of 7 to 14 inches with packed powder conditions. Currently the Outback Snow Tubing Park is closed. Hidden Valley is located about 50 minutes southwest of Johnstown.
Their neighbors at Seven Springs will be opening up on Saturday and will begin normal winter operations. They have received 8 inches of snow from the storm with another 3 to 4 inches in the forecast. They will have 7 trails open for skiing and 3 features but the terrain parks are not yet open. They are reporting a base of 8 to 14 inches with packed powder conditions on the trails. They are expecting will be offering snowshoeing and snow mobile tours beginning on Saturday. Seven Springs is located about 55 minutes southwest of Johnstown.
Blue Knob enjoyed a wonderful day for opening day on Friday. They are ready to proceed with normal operating hours for the rest of the season. They have received 6 inches of snow from the storm with another 1 to 2 inches of snow possible on Saturday. They should have 2 trails open, but do not have any terrain parks open yet. They are reporting a base of 8 inches with packed powder conditions. The snow tubing park is currently closed. Blue Knob is located about 45 minutes east of Johnstown.
Wisp Resort in McHenry Maryland is resuming regular hours for the season also. They have received 10 inches of snow from the storm with another 1 to 3 inches in the forecast for Saturday. They have 2 trails open with one terrain park with 2 features open. They are reporting a base of 10 inches with packed powder conditions. The Mountain Coaster, Ice Skating Rink and Snow Tubing Park at Wisp Resort are also open for your enjoyment. Wisp is located about an hour and forty-five minutes south of Johnstown.
Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands is currently closed, but expected to open for the season on Monday, December 24, 2012. They do not have a current snow report, but they have received about 8 i inches of snow with another 2 to 3 inches possible on Saturday.
As of this time, Tussey Mountain on Boalsburg and Whitetail near Mercersburg have not announced an opening day and do not have a current snow report.
So get out and enjoy the slopes this weekend. Get some recreation time to reduce that stress and have some fun. But bundle up for the cold.
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