World Snow Day at Mountain Creek: Snowmaking, Skiing, and a Story of Resilience

Mountain Creek Celebrates World Snow Day

• ⛷️ Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, hosted a celebration for World Snow Day, featuring CBS News New York's John Elliott.
• ❄️ The resort has set a record for snow production this year, thanks to cold December temperatures, with over 90% of terrain open for the holiday weekend.
• 💰 A special promotion offers $60 lift tickets for those who dress in retro gear, celebrating the resort's 60th anniversary.

Snowmaking and Conditions

• 🌨️ The resort has made 100 million gallons of water into snow, emphasizing the importance of wet bulb temperature (ambient temperature plus humidity) for quality snowmaking.
• 💨 Weather forecasts indicate significant snowfall with potential for mixing and icing, especially south and east, with a First Alert weather day declared.
• 🚜 Snow groomers, including winch cats and tillers, are used to create an incredible snow surface for skiing and snowboarding, managing both snow and ice.

Unique Mountain Creek Experiences

• 🏂 A demonstration of a splitboard showcased how snowboarders can ascend mountains using skins and then ride down.
• 🚠 The resort utilizes a Cabriolet lift, an open-air gondola carrying eight people per carrier, to transport skiers and riders up the mountain.
• 💍 Mountain Creek also serves as a wedding venue with stunning views, hosting nearly 100 weddings annually.

A Story of Resilience and Recovery

• 🌟 A powerful story of resilience was shared by Matthew Vincent, a member of the Mountain Creek Ski Patrol.
• 🎗️ Vincent was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome two years prior, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down and on a ventilator.
• 💪 Through extensive therapy and the support of his family and the Mountain Creek community, he has recovered and is now back working as part of the ski patrol, highlighting skiing as a crucial part of his recovery.

Winter Weather Outlook

• 🥶 The forecast predicts very cold air moving in Tuesday into Wednesday, with snow expected to stick around.
• ⚠️ Travelers are advised to be mindful of hazardous conditions due to accumulating snow, especially during evening travel on Sunday.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 World Snow Day aims to get families involved in skiing and enjoying winter activities, with the resort offering night skiing and tubing.