2012 is just a memory and 2013 has just begun. With the new year has come the winter weather. And for the first weekend of 2013, it looks like all of the local ski resorts are up and running for the season. Temperatures have been cold enough for regular snowmaking operations to continue almost around the clock. So now is the time to get out and have some fun on the slopes.
The forecast for the Johnstown area for this weekend looks very promising for continued snow sports opportunities. High temperatures today should be in the high twenties with the high on Saturday around thirty and on Sunday reaching the mid-thirties. Overnight lows are expected to be in the teens tonight and in the low to mid-twenties on Saturday and Sunday. The forecast for today, Friday, January 4 is for some morning flurries with mostly cloudy skies later in the day. Sunny skies on Saturday will give way to clouds Saturday night and Sunday with a 30% chance of snow showers throughout the period. Remember that the weather conditions at the resorts may vary from those in Johnstown. Usually temperatures will be a little colder and snow amounts can be higher.
Blue Knob is open and in the middle of their first College Fest. They are currently reporting flurries at the resort but no significant snowfall over the last 24 hours. They will have 23 trails open today and 1 park. They are expecting to open another five slopes and the Stembogan Bowl. They are reporting a base of 38 inches with a mixture of packed powder and groomed powder conditions. The snow tubing park will be opening for the weekend beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 4. Blue Knob is located about 45 minutes east of Johnstown.
Hidden Valley continues to operate on their normal schedule for the season. They are currently reporting some snow flurries at the resort. They do continue snowmaking operations when possible. They currently have 24 runs open for skiing and one terrain park with 6 features. They are expecting to open a second terrain park today with an additional 6 features. They are reporting a base of 13 to 48 inches although the base may be less in areas where snowmaking is not conducted. Currently they are reporting packed powder conditions on the slopes with rolling mounded terrain due to snowmaking operations. The Outback Snow Tubing Park is open with 5 lanes available. Hidden Valley is located about 50 minutes southwest of Johnstown.
Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands is currently open and ready to kick off the weekend with the first Neighbors and Friends night of 2013. The last snow report from the resort came out on Monday, December 31. They were reporting a base of 12 to 16 inches. They are reporting all six trails open as well as the tubing park and the Nordic ski area.
Seven Springs continues to open more terrain every day. They are reporting snow flurries this morning and have added 8 inches of machine-made snow over the past day. They will have 38 trails open for skiing 3 terrain parks with 41 features. This includes The Streets Terrain Park which is opening for the first time on Friday. They are reporting a base of 16 to 32 inches with groomed packed powder conditions on the trails. The snow tubing park is open with 11 lanes in operation. They are expecting to be able to offer snowshoeing and snow mobile tours this weekend. Seven Springs is located about 55 minutes southwest of Johnstown.
Tussey Mountain in Boalsburg is finally open and operating on a regular schedule for the season. They are reporting cloudy conditions at the resort this morning. They have 6 of the 7 trails open at the resort. Currently the snow tubing park is closed, but it will be opening on Saturday, January 5. Tussey Mountain is located about an hour and 40 minutes northeast of Johnstown.
Whitetail near Mercersburg is now open and ready for the ski and snowboard season in time for the Whitetail Rockstar Competition on Sunday. They are reporting sunny skies this morning with two inches of new machine-made snow. They have 17 trails open as well as the Jib junction Terrain Park. They have a base of 16 to 19 inches with packed powder conditions. They also have the snow tubing park open with 10 lanes in operation for the weekend. Whitetail is located just a little over two hours southeast of Johnstown.
Wisp Resort in McHenry Maryland is ready to welcome you for some fun on the slopes. They are currently reporting sunny conditions this morning. They have 27 trails open with one terrain park with 2 features open. Pro Park Terrain Park is closed today for maintenance and reshaping some of the features, but will be opened up after the collegiate competition at the park. They are reporting a base of 14 inches with groomed conditions. The snow tubing park is also open with 7 lanes in operation. The Mountain Coaster and Ice Skating Rink are also open this weekend. If you are interested in cross-country skiing or snowshoeing the Nordic Park should be open and will be celebrating Winter Trails Day on Sunday. Wisp is located about an hour and forty-five minutes south of Johnstown.
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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