Mother Nature has not been super cooperative to local ski resorts so far this winter with higher temperatures and rainy conditions, but that has not deterred progress. Because of smart snow making efforts during cold spells and tremendous planning and hard work, local ski areas are in prime shape as February approaches.
“It has been a little of a struggle over the last two weeks with the wet and warm, but it looks real strong with the cold air coming in,” Shawnee Mountain manager Jim Tust said. “We will be cranking up the snow making and are eyeing up a good February. We do a good job of making sure that we don’t get spread thin on our snow making. With the bigger snow making system, we have come a long way. The amount of snow we can make in even marginal temperatures is amazing.”
Jack Frost/Big Boulder is operating at 100 percent with all trails open. Camelback has 32 trails open and 22 snow tubing lanes available. Elk Mountain has 27 trails open with a snow base between 30-48 inches. Montage Mountain is operating 17 trails. Shawnee has 21 trails open.
With the cold air expected over the next few weeks, ski areas will increase snowmaking. That is good news for February where local resorts will host some very important cancer awareness events.
Shawnee Mountain will hold two events February 4-5 to promote cancer awareness and raise funds for a worthy cause. On Saturday February 4th, Shawnee with host their fourth annual Paint the Mountain Pink for breast cancer awareness. In conjunction with Pocono Health Systems, the Hope for Strength Breast Cancer Fund is running a raffle to support breast cancer.
On February 5th, Shawnee Mountain will present the Joe Riesle Memorial NASTAR Race to benefit the American Cancer Society in remembrance of long time ski instructor Joe Riesle.
“It is an important fundraiser,” Tust said. “Saturday is Hope for Strength which is a local breast cancer foundation. Sunday is for the American Cancer Society. We have a memorial race for Joe Riesle, who passed several years ago. The race is in his honor but the proceeds and sponsorship money goes to the American Cancer Society.”
Jack Frost/Big Boulder will host Ski for the Cure on Saturday, February 25th for Breast Cancer Awareness Day to benefit Susan G. Komen. Activities include pledge ski-a-thon, timed race gates, dedication run, and raffle.
“We have Ski for the Cure in February which is a great cause,” JFBB general manager Mark Daubert said. “It is our tenth year doing it and a big percentage of that fundraising stays local in Northeastern Pennsylvania. That is a big part of the reason we do it.”
February is a perfect time to hit the slopes and support very meaningful causes in the process.
By: Nicholas Gill
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