Optimism Reigns – SAM Magazine

Shawnee Mountain was recently featured in a SAM Magazine article! Read our snippet below or view the full article at https://www.saminfo.com/the-magazine/this-issue/optimism-reigns-as-2025-approaches

Optimism Reigns as 2025 Approaches

Although visitation nationwide ended up strong last season, in some regions, it never completely recovered from the slow start. The snow was absolutely dismal in the early season, particularly in the Midwest, New England, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, and northern Rockies. PNW and New England eventually caught up on snow totals, but the northern Rockies had low snowpack all season, and the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic had slow starts, uneven middles and early ends. Many resorts in these regions wound up well below their average visitation, though several of the areas we spoke with early this fall had done better than most.

Given all the many weather challenges last season, what’s the vibe heading into this season?

Optimism: “We are feeling incredibly optimistic as we head into this season,” said Rachel Wyckoff, marketing director at Shawnee Mountain, Pa. “Living in the Mid-Atlantic region, we’ve learned to embrace the challenges of variable weather. We’re well-accustomed to shifts in winter conditions, and rather than seeing mild winters as a setback, they help us stay proactive.”

Shawnee Mountain. Wyckoff said Shawnee also continues to make investments in its snowmaking system, which is now about 90 percent automated. “This allows us to start making snow quickly and run longer, even in marginal conditions, ensuring we’re always ready when the weather cooperates.”

Last season, Shawnee hit its target opening date, Thanksgiving weekend, and will aim for that again this season.

Wyckoff said one highlight from last year was the launch of Shawnee’s Mini Monster Mountain area. “It was a huge success,” she said. “This new play area at the base of the mountain gave families with young children a chance to experience playing in the snow,” which was especially nice for those who didn’t have snow in their own backyards, she added.