No Snow, No Business

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Story Published: Dec 3, 2008 at 6:12 PM PST

By Sade Malloy

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White Pass -- Ski resorts expect to rake in the cash once December hits, but so far this year, no snow means no business.

Bare and dry is a report you want to hear for the roads, not the slopes.

"Last year we opened on the first and second of December, closed for two weeks, opened again and had one of the best years on record," says Louie Vimont of White Pass Ski Resort.

Last year, thanks to a “La Nina” weather condition, Northwest resorts were pounded with large amounts of snow. But this year's forecast calls for a mild winter. With our current shaky economy, it's a double whammy for resorts.

White Pass Ski Resort is hoping that as local families cut back on big trips, like canceling a trip to Disneyland, the result will be recreation dollars spent closer to home.

Kevin McCarthy of White Pass Ski Resort tells Action News, "I think people will cut back and maybe they'll say ‘let's not take a big vacation we still want to recreate, ski and snowboard, so let's just stick closer to home’." McCarthy says he's counting on two things: White Pass’s close-to-home location and their cheap tickets. Still, the resort is preparing to lose up to five percent of their annual visitors.

The lack of snow also means jobs are at stake. Small patches of machine-made snow is the only white stuff you'll see on White Pass right now. The resort is hoping they'll get some fresh powder this weekend, because when there's no snow, there's no need for workers.

"If we miss Christmas that's a huge thing, both for people working as well as the ski area," Vimont explains.

If people can't ski, most will find somewhere else to spend their money. For now, White Pass is remaining hopeful that the flakes will fly soon.

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