Ski resort staff: Snowy forecasts attract new business, even though they make their own snow
The staff said the few inches of snow with each storm do make conditions slightly better, but the biggest effect comes when families see the snow accumulate in their driveways.
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The snowstorms are making for a successful season at a neighborhood ski resort, but maybe not in the way some might think.
Mount Peter Ski area has been drawing a lot of skiers this season — sometimes 5,000 in one weekend — for a few reasons.
One is that consistently cold temperatures have allowed the operations crew to make all the snow they need, with snow guns placed throughout the resort.
"Last year was kind of a short season because of the warm weather there toward the end," Mount Peter operations manager Tom Else said. "This year, I think we're looking pretty good to get through to the end of March."
Another reason for more visits is the consistent snow as of late which seems to have put skiing in peoples' minds, leading them to the mountain, Else said.
The staff said the few inches of snow with each storm do make conditions slightly better, but the biggest effect comes when families see the snow accumulate in their driveways.
One recent lightly snowy day brought 300 first-time skiers and snowboarders to the family-owned resort that has been operating for 80 years.
"The one advantage to natural snow is it gets people out," Else said. "They see the snow in their yards. It gets them thinking about it, and it gets them out."
Miranda Signor figured the snow and the holiday were good reasons to make the trip there from New York City with her partner Shandra Gama.
"She's been asking me to take her," Signor said, "so I thought what a day for us to get closer, and bonding by falling down a hill together."
The regulars have been receptive to the newcomers.
"They have a great beginner program here. I just try to avoid them," one veteran skier said. "I'm here to warm up because I'm going out to Utah next week."
Ski patrol director Chris McCabe said he is less concerned about this weekend's ice storm might affect skiing conditions than about the storm's effect on road travel.
"A little bit of ice doesn't really affect anyone on the snow," he said. "Unfortunately, it affects the roads. It makes it hard to get here and worse on the way home. But other than that, it doesn't change the way we ski."
