SNOWSHOE, West Virginia — With Snowshoe Mountain’s expert snowmakers planning a 9am Monday start for the season’s snowmaking efforts, they were greeted by a sign from Mother Nature that it is indeed time for the white stuff to fly. The first natural flakes of the season began falling very early Monday morning, with consistent flurries leaving the edges of parking lots and many trees and bushes covered.

With temperatures expected to drop into the teens overnight this week, snowmaking should continue throughout the week, giving Snowshoe an important head start on the resort’s 35th season. More natural snow is also in the forecast for the Pocahontas County resort, with some meteorologists suggesting measurable totals on the ground by Wednesday morning.

Snowshoe is the largest winter destination in the Southeast and the Mid-Atlantic, and this year the resort was the first in the region to fire up the snowmaking equipment. With a planned Opening Day of November 26, a cold November could mean some of the best early season conditions in recent memory. Last season Snowshoe began making snow on November 2 with Opening Day on November 21.

As a drive-to destination, Snowshoe’s 60 slopes and 244 acres of skiable terrain are the perfect destination for skiers and riders looking for a big mountain experience without the hassles and high-costs of airline travel. With skyrocketing tickets prices, checked baggage fees and the prospect of delays and cancellations, why not skip the airport and go straight from your car to your vacation at Snowshoe?! Snowshoe annually receives 180 inches of natural snow, providing the best conditions in the region and the most time to enjoy them??”an average of 130 days of skiing and riding a season.

Many of Snowshoe’s best available deals of the season expire on October 31st, including the Ski Free/Stay Free package and Christmas on Us. For more information on all of Snowshoe’s Hot Deals, visit snowshoemtn.com or call 1-877-441-4FUN

Snowshoe Snowmaking Facts:

• 100% snowmaking coverage in Snowshoe Basin, Western Territory and Silver Creek areas
• Over 400 snow guns, including 15 tower-mounted, fully automated, Techno Alpine guns added this season
• Both portable and fixed guns dot the slopes, allowing maximum flexibility when it comes to covering them with snow or creating features in the terrain parks.
• Snow making requires the right blend of temperature and humidity; the less humidity the better.
• Over 40 miles of pipeline provide water and air to every slope. That’s 60 trails and 244 acres of rideable terrain. Water and air from these lines flow at high pressure to produce the best possible snow.
• Snowshoe Mountain recycles water from the resort’s 40-surface acre, 101-million gallon Shavers Lake to produce snow. The resort also has more than 25 million gallons of water in the Silver Creek Lake.

For more information on the fast-approaching ski season, hot deals and all the amazing adventure and family activities available, please visit www.snowshoemtn.com.