Industry News
While a cold spell and major winter storms are disrupting the normal day-to-day for millions of Americans, the folks down in Alabama are celebrating. That’s because Cloudmont Ski Resort, affectionately known as “Ski Bama,” on Lookout Mountain in Mentone, Alabama, has finally opened its doors this winter season.
Though this marks Cloudmont’s 54th season, it has not always been smooth sailing for Alabama’s only ski resort. This year is a major comeback for the resort. It is the first time in the last five years that Cloudmont has opened for a full season. The resort owes this to the tremendous winter storm that plunged more than half the country into freezing temperatures, allowing it to make snow.
Located at an elevation of 1,800 feet, Cloudmont is almost entirely reliant on snowmaking for the majority of its snow, as it only averages two to six inches of natural snowfall per season. With a modest 150 vertical drop, it is not your typical winter getaway, but it offers a unique ski resort in the least expected place.
Vertical drop is not the only contrast to a typical resort; Cloudmont also offers incredible packages and lift tickets that do not break the bank. A package including equipment, a lift ticket, and a beginner lesson costs between $40 and $70, while a single lift ticket does not rise above $40.
Whether you are a beginner in the Southeast or on a life mission to ski in all 50 states, Cloudmont Ski Resort has everything you need for a great day on the slopes.
I skied there last year on my now completed quest of skiing every state with an official ski area. The volunteers running the area could not have been more welcoming. It’s not a big area but everyone there is enthusiastic about skiing.