It snowed! This was the best news of the week for snow sport enthusiasts in the Johnstown area. Although in the end we were only left with a couple inches of snow. Most of the area resorts received a total of about four inches of snow this week. To top it off there is more snow in the forecast for this weekend. And all of this comes just in time for the 2012 Special Olympics Winter Games coming to Johnstown beginning this weekend.
This weekend’s forecast for the Johnstown area from the National Weather Service is much more seasonable. High temperatures are expected to be in the mid-thirties today and the mid-twenties on Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows this weekend should be in the mid-twenties tonight and the low to mid-teens on Saturday and Sunday nights. The forecast is for snow showers moving into the area beginning later today. The snow showers will become more numerous and intense overnight and last throughout the day on Saturday. They should taper off by Sunday evening bringing us partly cloudy skies for Sunday night. One of the biggest concerns will be wind chills on Saturday night. Wind chills could be approaching – 8 degrees, so bundle up if you go out.
Hidden Valley is gearing up for the second visit this season for Subaru’s Master the Mountain. The resort will also be the site for the alpine skiing events for the Special Olympics. They have an average base of 33 inches with packed powder conditions. The resort has 23 trails open. They will have three terrain parks open this weekend with thirteen features. The snow tubing park will be open this weekend beginning at 6:00 pm today.
Seven Springs has another weekend of competitions. In addition, The US Air Bag Tour is at the resort this weekend for your enjoyment. Currently they are reporting a base of 16 to 26 inches with packed powder conditions. They are reporting 34 trails open for the weekend. They have 56 features open in 5 terrain parks. In addition they should have eleven lanes open at the snow tubing park. They also have the snowcat rides available with reservations. The Screaming Hawk Zipline is also in operation. In addition, the resort just announced that with the incoming snow, snowshoe tours will be available this weekend with reservations.
Blue Knob has new snow too and they are ready to host the snowshoe and cross-country skiing events for the Special Olympics Winter Games. They were reporting a base between 18 and 40 inches. They have 20 trails open and are working to open more areas for the weekend. They are reporting that most of the trails are groomed. The snow tubing park should be open this weekend beginning at 5:00 pm.
WISP in Garrett County, MD is looking much better this weekend with some snow surrounding the ski areas. They are reporting packed powder conditions. They have 25 trails open this weekend along with 12 features in 2 terrain parks. They currently have an average base of 22 inches. If you aren’t into skiing or snowboarding, come out to the tubing park or even to the ice skating rink. You can even ride the mountain coaster.
Mystic Mountain at Nemacolin Woodlands near Farmington, PA is ready for their big Winterfest Weekend. It would be a great weekend to bring the family out for some fun at the resort. They currently are reporting a base from 22 to 24 inches. They are reporting that all of their trails are opened and groomed with packed powder conditions. This would be a great night to come out for the Neighbors and Friends Night tonight. They will also have the tubing park opened along with the Fat Bird Flyer Zipline.
In general, there is at best a thin snow cover off of the trails and at the local parks. At this time, conditions may not be good for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing where nature provides the snow. This could change with more snow on the way overnight and Saturday. But even if you can’t enjoy the snow at the parks, you can enjoy a hike on the trails. And don’t forget that some parks like Prince Gallitzin State Park have designated sledding areas when snow is present.
Check out the local resorts web cams or take the virtual tour through the slideshow:
So come out and enjoy the mild winter weather we are having. Take some time for some fun at the ski resorts. Or take your family on a nice winter hike.
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