December 22, 2004
Rocking the New Year in the East!
Wednesday, 12/22/04 – Winter, officially! If you are anything like me you still have shopping to accomplish and you also have no idea what you are going to do a week or so from now for the big bash, New Years Eve. That’s why you need to keep reading, herein lie some of what’s happening up in the mountains to ring on 2005 the right way.
The good news, most major snowmaking operations have been online now for the better part of two weeks. Resorts are really starting to expand their terrain options, pretty much everything you can put a gun to will be skiing and riding during the holiday season. Better yet a handful of areas up North are loaded with real good natural snow, check Snow Country for your favorite.
Without further ado, let’s get down to business. First, here’s this weekends forecast from Dr. Weather, Jim Roemer. Check out his site www.bestskiweather.com to get free lift tickets with a subscription to his powder alerts.
New England--Modest rain event later Thursday and cold Friday-weekend temps may result in some icy conditions most areas by Fri-weekend. N. Vermont and N. New Hampshire may have 1-3 inches of fluff by Saturday. Snow-making will be in full force all areas. No big storms expected for the next week or so. Temps will be very cold on Saturday with sub-zero readings in northern most areas and teens down to Mass. Look for sunny skiers and gradual warming after that making for a nice, but fairly cold weekend.
Canada-- Some of the best powder over the next 5 days will fall at in western Canada. It would not surprise me if places like Fernie and Whistler have 2 feet of snow by later in the weekend, as well as possibly Banff. Much of Quebec has had great skiing but rain and ice later Thursday night will create icy conditions. Nevertheless, ample snow-pack does exist in Quebec.
West--If you are out in Oregon, Washington or the Tahoe/California area, you know it has been quite dry. Look for a powerful storm on Sunday to bring at least 6-12" of snow from Mt. Baker and Mt. Bachelor into Idaho. This system may affect Tahoe by Monday. Good powder should be falling before the weekend in much of Colorado, Big Sky Montana and Jackson Hole. The northern Rockies need snow and should have received decent amounts before a relatively dry weekend.
~ Dr. Weather, Roemer; www.bestskiweather.com
The Big Night!
Could a New Years Eve report be complete without mentioning Killington? Negative. The Beast has more than you can imagine going down on ‘Bourbon Street North’ (some locals dislike the marketing nickname of several years ago, but it stuck). Regardless, Killington’s nighttime options are unlimited; your biggest obstacle will be where to stay, Killington - Package rates for arrival on 12/31/04 start at $143 per adult per day/night including lift ticket and lodging.
Bretton Woods: Chiming in with a full slate of activities. The Mount Washington Hotel’s three-night celebration runs December 30 through January 2. Guests have a choice of an elegant, formal dinner in the lavish, award-winning Hotel Dining Room with dancing to the sounds of a live big band, or a fun, family-friendly celebration with a grand buffet in the Ballroom followed by an early countdown celebration. Special children-only and teen parties are also available. Don’t miss the spectacular fireworks show, plus enjoy all the resort’s recreational and cultural amenities. For more details, check Bretton Woods.
Sunday River: The popular Massachusetts-based band Entrain returns to Sunday River New Year's Eve. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Welcome Concourse at South Ridge, or by calling 800.543.2SKI. Doors open at 8 pm and it's 21+ only. Plus, The New Year's fireworks displays promise to be the best ever and are choreographed to music. Shows are at at 8:20 pm from the Grand Summit and 9:30 from the Jordan Grand. To find a great lodging deal go here, Sunday River
Loon: They will be rocking at the Bunyan Room in the Governor’s Lodge. Budweiser sponsors this popular throw down, so you best get your tickets early. Those who have something a little more civil in mind should look into the festivities happening at the Mountain Club on Loon, they have packages that include dinner, dancing and champagne. Loon
Gunstock: Celebrating their annual New Year’s Eve event, Mountain Magic Eve. This exceptional party is truly a family celebration. Enjoy a buffet dinner, skiing, riding, snowshoeing, Learning Center Quick tips, music, carriage rides, bonfire, fireworks and much more. One great evening for one great price! Make your reservations now, as tickets are limited. Adults are $75, Children 6-12 $40 and kids 5 and under $20. Gates open at 6pm on December 31, 2004 so bring your family and friends and join Gunstock to ring in the New Year! Gunstock
Wachusett: The Mountain has a great new years tradition because WaWa has something for everyone. Experience fine dining in the Black Diamond restaurant ...or if you just want to hang with your kids and ski in the New Year they keep the lifts open until 12 midnight. There is also kids karaoke, a sing along entertainer Bruce Jacques in the Coppertop lounge, fireworks and lastly, walk around magicians. Wachusett
That is it for now folks, keep checking back in the week to come for more on New Years Eve, plus the surface activity of you surfing the web may fool your boss into thinking you are working. Be careful of snowsnakes or end up like me...
Happy Holidays!
