Get Rich at Snowshoe

A cool (literally) four grand is up for grabs at Snowshoe Mountain, which is posting a low temp of -2 degrees this week. This weekend the resort will host the West Virginia Open, an annual freestyle competition that will take place on Saturday, January 26. Known as the "region’s richest rail jam," the comp has a $4,000 cash purse on the table, as the top skier and snowboarder will each walk away with $2,000. Things kick off at at 5:30p.m. on Skidder Slope. More info: snowshoemtn.com.

-J.F.
www.blueridgeoutdoors.com

The Sugar is Sweet

Praise the snow gods! With the recent chill in the air, I've been optimistic that this year's Southern ski season might be better than the last. And then just like that another beacon of hope lands in my email box, informing me that today Sugar Mountain opened a few slopes. This marks one of the earliest openings ever for the North Carolina High Country resort. Will this good fortune extend to other resorts around the region? It's too early to tell, but with news like this it might be a good idea to wax and sharpen a little earlier this year. For the deets on open runs check out www.skisugar.com.

-J.F.