Alabama Skiers Rejoice— State's Lone Ski Hill Reopening

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Feb 21, 2025 12:51 PM ET

Earlier this season, Alabama's only ski area fully opened for the first time in five years.

Skiers in the southern US rejoiced as flakes fell on Cloudmont Ski Area and cold temps allowed them to make enough artificial snow to open nine skiable acres. The hill, which is volunteer run, might not be much in contrast to the massive mountains out west, but its long been a community gathering spot. When the opening was announced in January of 2025, skiers drove from far and wide to enjoy time on the slopes and reuniting with Alabama's ski community.

A week after the mountain's reopening, they announced that continued cold weather would allow them to stay open through the end of January. Cloudmont planned to continue weeknight skiing from 6-10p.m. and weekend skiing through MLK weekend.

Want to keep up with the best stories and photos in skiing? Subscribe to the new Powder To The People newsletter for weekly updates.

The weeks following MLK day were a roller coaster for 'Bama skiers. The weather warmed up and Cloudmont went on a 'temporary hiatus' on January 29. As of February 6, the hill announced via social media that it would be closing for the season. Rain had washed away much of the remaining snow and temperatures were too warm for them to continue snowmaking.

On February 20th, temperatures plummeted again and the hill announced they'd reopen for night skiing through the weekend. Cloudmont fired up their snowmaking guns again just as a 'wintry mix' began to coat the slopes. The hill plans to be open Friday, February 21 for night skiing.

While there's no knowing what the weather will do, if anything's sure at Cloudmont, it's the hill's commitment to staying open as much as they can and providing a community space for Alabama skiers.

As skiers, we often get caught up complaining about conditions, lift lines, traffic, broken chairs, and so on. It's easy to forget that things like getting to go on a ski vacation, or living in a ski town, are a massive privilege.

When I see places like Cloudmont rejoicing over the chance to keep skiing through February, its a great reminder that skiing is really just a way to enjoy some fresh air with good people and that the rest is all extra.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: