First tracks come early at Cataloochee
Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley had its third earliest opening day in history when a winter storm and chilly temperatures allowed for lifts to open at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.
Snowmakers began churning at 9:30 p.m. Friday until three slopes and two lifts were online for Sunday, operating with an 8-14-inch base. By Monday, that base had increased to 22-30 inches and five slopes were open.
Cataloochee plans to remain open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Nov. 2 opening was just days later than the ski area’s first and second-earliest openings, Oct. 28 in 2008 and Oct. 31 in 2012.
A new trail named Richard’s Run opened this year, commemorating 55-year-old Cataloochee board member Richard Coker, who succumbed to brain cancer in 2013. The trail includes several terrain features that had been located at the Over Easy Terrain Park and has lighting and snowmaking.
Up-to-date weather reports are posted at www.cataloochee.com.