Ski The East 2012 Winter Review

Compiled by Alex Kaufman l STE Online Editor

So that was winter. Not exactly one of the best, but as usual, there were gems to be found. How did it stack up historically? We called around to state associations and ski areas for some data and reaction to compile the definitive eastern year in review with some eyes on next year as well as some photo gems captured at the mountains. Ski areas listed are done so alphabetically.

Attitash, NH

Total snowfall: 82"
Avg annual snowfall: 155"

Days Open: Dec 13 - March 25 with two days after Thanksgiving
Typical season length: Thanksgiving weekend until late March/early April

"As both mountains (Attitash and Wildcat) look ahead, obviously snowmaking remains a priority for Peak Resorts and both areas continue to prioritize off-season capital to improve snowmaking efficiency, infrastructure, and hardware." - Attitash's Thomas Prindle

Corey Madden gets his on March 1 on Attitash's Bear Peak

Bolton Valley, VT

Total snowfall: 159”
Avg annual snowfall: 312”

Days open: 102
Typical season length: 115

"The lack of snowfall in New England was the top weather story of the winter and towns as close as Burlington and Richmond were snow free for most of the season. The skiers and riders who did make it to the mountain were pleasantly surprised with the conditions." - Bolton Valley's Josh Arneson

Crabbe Mountain, NB

Total snowfall: 128"
Avg annual snowfall: 144"

Days open: 96
Typical season length: 105

"This winter was a tough one as it seemed every time we started to get some momentum the weather would change on us.  We had a great stretch of weather in Feb, with weekly powder days with the biggest being Feb 25th – 28th where we received close to 60cms or 2 ft over two storms that predicted 3 – 4 inches each.  We had excellent weather for New Brunswick March Break, but with the record setting heat wave we experienced mid-March, ruined our Nova Scotia and PEI break essentially closing us down two weeks early." - Crabbe Mountain's Jason Crawford

GM Jason Crawford in Crabbe's Sunvalley Glades

Jay Peak, VT

Total snowfall: 254”
Avg annual snowfall: 376” 

Days open: 140 days as of 5-1-12
Typical season length: 150 days

Feb 25 was one of Jay Peak's powderfests

Loon Mountain, NH

Total snowfall: 117"
Avg annual snowfall: 157"

Days open: 142 days
Typical season length: 150 days

"Biggest challenge, no surprise: weather and lack of snow. We were able to be as aggressive as weather allowed right out of the gate to offer maximum terrain during the early season, and offered 95%+ of our total trail acreage from mid January on." - Loon's Katelyn Krumperman

Jan 20th delivered at Loon

Killington, VT

Total snowfall: 152"
Avg annual snowfall: 250"

Days open: 177
Typical season length: 180 

Construction of the new Peak Lodge will get underway this summer.

"Our season started off strong in October with some good snowmaking weather and natural snow that allowed us to open on October 29. The weather pattern then quickly turned to a weekly warm up cycle. The season got back on track in January and things were looking great in early March when we peaked on open terrain. That was followed by a week of record high temperatures and a lot of snowpack melt. Due to the extra snow we had made earlier in the season on our core trails we were able to persevere through the heat wave." - Killington's Chris Danforth

GTS'ing on Feb 26th at Killington

Mad River Mountain, Ohio

Total snowfall: 10"
Avg annual snowfall: 32"

Days open: 76
Typical season length: 85

"During Christmas break we only had a total of 4 trails open and limited tubing operations.  Crowded trails, thin spots, and limited beginner areas kept crowds low.  On Christmas Day it was feasible to go golfing in Columbus our closest Metro. There were a ton of really good "spring" skiing days this year.  We seeded some moguls here - which haven't been done at our resort - and people ate them up. The problem with the spring days were that they were in mid-February and not March." - MRM's Greg Fisher

Magic Mountain, VT

Total snowfall: 65"
Avg annual snowfall: 150"

Days open: Dec 26 to March 18
Typical season length: Dec 15 to April 10

"Besides our halloween storm, it really wasn't until the Leap Year storm where we had a dump of over a foot--18" total 2/29-3/1; just in time for the STEFT event at Magic. But, yet again, warm March temps would not even let that snow hang around for long. Even though March 1st was a great classic Magic pow day and one of the best anywhere this season, for Magic, our best day of the season was when we surpassed the 300 share mark on February 2nd to reach our goal of becoming a cooperatively run ski area with our skier/rider-community." - Magic's Geoff Hatheway

Magic hit 300 shares sold on Feb 2nd - neon ensued

Saddleback, ME

Total snowfall: 133"
Avg annual snowfall: 220"

Saddleback has been granted eligible for EB 5 investment.

"On Sunday March 4th Saddleback had an all time record ticket sales day. March 4th was a scheduled Maine Day, the first Sunday of each month, when Saddleback offers $29 lift tickets to all Maine residents." - Saddleback's JoAnne Taylor

Snowshoe, WV

Total snowfall: 102" (32" before opening)
Avg annual snowfall: 180" 

Days open: 101
Typical season length: 130

"Guest uncertainty... Our base of skiers and riders live in lower elevations and were experiencing mild to spring-like temperatures even when we were getting snow. We had a chance to recognize and truly appreciate how lucky we are to have the amazing snowmaking resources at the mountain and the unmatched talent and dedication behind our on-snow team from the snowmakers to the groomers to patrol, and the list goes on. Plus, the grass roots feel to the park scene growing around the mountain was a great feeling. The progression parks made a huge difference by introducing people to the parks and expanding their reach across many age groups and abilities." - Snowshoe's Mark Glickman

January 14th delivered the goods to Snowshoe

Stowe, VT

Total snowfall: 211"
Avg annual snowfall: 333"

Days open: Nov 24 to April 1
Typical season length: Nov 19 to April 22

"Obvious challenges with overall consumer perception. Stowe was 75% open during the December Holiday & 100% open by Jan. 6. This summer Stowe is doing even more major upgrades to our snowmaking system." - Stowe's Jeff Wise

Sugarbush, VT

Total snowfall: 162"
Avg annual snowfall: 269" 

Days open: 125 days
Typical season length: 150 days

"Despite one of the warmest and driest winters in memory, Sugarbush was 100% open almost every day from mid-January through mid-March. Snowmakers and groomers made the best of the conditions available and Sugarbush guests were continually surprised with how good the conditions were given the season's difficulties." Sugarbush's Patrick Brown

Feb 26th was a blower day at the Bush

Sugarloaf, ME

Total snowfall: 110"
Avg annual snowfall: 201"

Days open: 141 days 
Typical season length: 165

"Certainly the weather wasn’t ideal, particularly in December and late March, but luckily January-mid March period was actually quite good. Business was up during that timeframe, which helped to make up for the lackluster Christmas week. We’re coming out of the season in good shape, and will be able to move forward with a number of capital projects this summer." - Sugarloaf's Ethan Austin

March 2nd may have been the best day at the Loaf

Wachusett, MA

Total snowfall: 25"
Avg annual snowfall: 100"

Days open:  97 days
Typical season length: 125 days

"The weather was clearly this season’s challenge here as it was everywhere.  We are seriously looking into ways to further improve our snowmaking pumping capacity to even better utilize marginal temperatures and allow for us to make more snow more efficiently.  The upcoming 2012-2013 season also marks the 50th Anniversary of lift service skiing at Wachusett Mountain." - Wachusett's Tom Meyers

Whiteface, NY

Total snowfall: 129"
Avg annual snowfall: 195"

Days open: 119
Typical season length: 133

"Those who did not ski this past season because they kept hearing or reading that there was ‘no snow’ missed out on a great ski season." - ORDA's Jon Lundin 

Wildcat, NH

Total snowfall: 114”
Avg annual snowfall: 200”

Days open: Dec 18 - April 15
Typical season length: Early December through late April

"I think all of the New England ski areas will unanimously agree that this season was a challenge in terms of natural snowfall and our primary market areas hardly seeing any snow at all. However, I will say that Attitash Mountain Resort and Wildcat Mountain were able to provide some of the best skiing and riding conditions and every effort was made to get that message out this season." - Wildcat's Thomas Prindle