We are asked the same question many times during ski season, “what are the Snowshoe hours of operation?” One would think the answer is easy but it can be a little complicated. Several things factor into the equation and that number one factor is the weather. Wind and icy conditions can delay the opening of the ski lifts – especially the Ballhooter High-Speed Quad Lift
Here are the basic Snowshoe hours of operation.
The Basin Area lifts are generally open from 9 AM to 4:30 PM each day
The Western Express Lift is open from 9 AM to 4:15 PM daily
The Silver Creek Area lifts are open Monday – Friday from 12 noon to 9 PM. On Saturday, Sunday and certain Holidays, these lifts are open from 9 AM to 9 PM.
It is important to note that the Silver Creek Area generally opens about 2 weeks later than Snowshoe’s opening day and closes a week or two before the official end of the ski season. Silver Creek is the only area that offers lighted trails for skiing and riding at night.
We recommend checking the Snowshoe Daily Trail Report for hours and conditions. Snowshoe does an excellent job of updating the report no later than 7 AM each day.
It is always a good idea to check the local weather forecast the night before you plan to ski. If high winds are in the forecast, expect delays in opening and possible early closure of the ski lifts to ensure guest safety. Freezing rain and ice wreak havoc on high-speed detachable ski lifts. The Ballhooter, the Soaring Eagle Express, and the Western Express lifts are prone to closure during icy conditions.
We find skiing in those conditions sort of miserable so we tend to partake in other activities during the inclement weather situations. Luckily, these bad weather events are not very frequent.