Skiers Stay Up Late at Appalachian Ski Mountain’s Midnight Blast Weekends

Southeast’s Only Late Night Skiing Continues on Weekends Until February 20

Story by Sam Calhoun

Skiers and snowboarders alike have flocked to Appalachian Ski Mountain every Friday and Saturday night this winter to take advantage of the Southeast’s only offering of late-night skiing and snowboarding. The successful Midnight Blast Weekends continue for three more weekends this season on February 5 and 6, February 13 and 14 and February 19 and 20. Photo courtesy of Appalachian Ski Mountain

Want To Go?

Dates: Fridays and Saturdays, February 5 and 6, February 13 and 14, February 19 and 20
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. each night
Location: Appalachian Ski Mountain
Cost: $28 adults/$20 juniors, seniors, military/$24 students

After being absent for more than a decade, late-night skiing returned to the High Country this season in the form of Midnight Blast Weekends at Appalachian Ski Mountain and, based on reports from customers and mountain staff, they have become a welcome addition to the High Country snowsport scene. The success of the Southeast’s only offering of late-night skiing and snowboarding has been so successful, in fact, that mountain management has decided to bring Midnight Blast Weekends back next season.

“We’ve had really good participation, and I think it’s helped us quite a bit. I think it’s something we’ll do again,” explained Appalachian Ski Mountain General Manager Brad Moretz.

Haven’t tried out Midnight Blast yet? Want to try it again? You’re in luck because three Midnight Blast Weekends are left this season. The sessions, which last from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, will take place on February 5 and 6, February 13 and 14 and February 19 and 20. Midnight Blast lift tickets cost $28 for adults, $24 for students and $20 for juniors, seniors and military.

“People appreciate the extra time on our mountain, and we’re pleased with the response [to Midnight Blast Weekends] despite the weather,” Moretz said, citing that most of this winter’s major snowstorms have arrived on weekends, which has the potential to affect access to the mountain for customers.

Midnight Blast Weekends began on December 26, 2009, and will continue until Saturday, February 20.

“Our customers see the weekends as convenient; it opens up new options for them,” said Drew Stanley, Appalachian Terrain Park manager. “It’s a good scene in the terrain parks, too. Our park guests enjoy the later times.”

“Midnight Blast Weekends are exactly like going to a good buffet—you might not eat everything at the buffet, but it feels good knowing that you could if you wanted,” laughed Moretz.

For more information, click to www.appskimtn.com, www.appterrainpark.com or call 828-295-7828.