Golf can wait!

I am an avid golfer.  But with snow like this...I am in no hurry to golf.  We were barely missed yesterday by the a lot of the rain and wet snow.  We got some rain but most of the heavier stuff missed us to the north.  As a result, the snow here held up very well and it's still in great shape.  We may need to close a run or two this weekend depending on how warm it gets.  I took a few runs this morning and had to keep reminding myself that it's the last weekend in March.  Check out these photos from this morning...you be the judge.  Thank you in advance for all of you who are going to come out this weekend to make some turns.  I'll see you out there!

Improvements have started

We have already started improvement projects for next season.  Most of you by now have probably noticed that we have a new three-sided maintenance building.  The new shop will be constructed this spring and summer right next to that building on the west side of it.  We have also begun work on remodeling the Black Diamond Bar.  Stay tuned for updates on these projects and additional improvements that will be ready for the 2014/15 season...our 50th Anniversary season!

This Week

It was another great weekend of skiing and riding at the Village.  It was hard to believe that it was the end of March with hard fast snow and temps. in the 20's.   I was truly impressed at the impressive turnout at our annual Pond Skip event.  Impressed with the number of spectators and very impressed with amount of participants considering it was about 15 degrees at the start of the event.  Our well pump on the east side was not working so we had to fire up the big snowmaking pumps alongside the Cannon River to fill the pond with water.  So in essence, all of you pond skippers were skipping over the Cannon River! 

This time of year, we literally have to take things one day at a time in determining just how long the snow conditions will hold up.  The forecast for this week still appears to be on the chilly side, but a warm up is imminent at the end of the week and into next weekend. We will be operating under usual operating hours this week through Saturday, the 29th but will close at 6pm on Sunday the 30th.  We are hoping that by Thursday or Friday, we will make a determination if Sunday the 30th will be the last day for sure. 

This will most likely be the last week to take advantage of our pick-a-day weekday and after 4pm ticket deals.  It should be a great week to get down here and enjoy all of the snow that we still have. 

It's still really good

The skiing and riding is still very. very good.  It's supposed to be in the 20's this weekend and there is not a huge warm-up in sight.  The Pond Skip takes place this Saturday which usually...usually...marks the end of the season.  However, we are now planning on being open the weekend of March 29-30 for sure and possibly beyond.  Stay tuned for an update sometime next week.  This time of year, it's better to wait and see what the weather does before we assume anything.  If we were to get some rain, we would need to keep an eye Cannon River levels.   In the meantime, the sun is warm, the bumps are soft, and the beer is cold at Jaxx. Enjoy!

Accreditation Week

Welch Village hosted it's second ever PMTS Accreditation this past week.  The event concluded today with 5 Welch Village instructors earning their Blue Level pins (myself included!) and 3 instructors earning their Green Level.  Again, like I have stated before, the fact that Welch Village offers this level of ski instruction and coaching sets us apart from any other ski resort.  It's a system that is producing incredible results for beginner level skiers all the way up to accomplished racers at Welch Village.

Spring Skiing

What a great weekend.   Plenty of sun, warmer temperatures,  great snow,  and countless people having a great time.  This weekend also was opening weekend for spring costume season.  I spotted Elvis, a penguin,  and other guests wearing entertaining attire on the slopes.   We are looking forward to a great week ahead with temperatures in the thirties.   We have a ton of snow and a deep snow pack.  We are hoping for a slow snow melt in the Welch Valley for two reasons.  One, this will lead to an extended season with great skiing conditions.  And two, a slow melt will keep the Cannon River away from HWY 7 and the ski area.