Lack Of Snow Forces Washington Ski Resort To Delay Opening Day
Last weekend, Hurricane Ridge, Washington, announced that it won't open for skiing and riding on December 3rd as initially planned.
The resort anticipates the delay will likely extend until December 9th or 10th at minimum, noting that it needs at least three more feet of high-density snow to open.
From the caption:
"So here is where we stand on operations for this season. We will not be open on 12/3, and at this time, with the current weather forecast, we will probable not be open for the weekend of the 9th and 10th.We will update again on 12/1 or if the conditions or forecasts change. In order to operate, we need at least 3 feet more of heavy density snow. If you are in the ski area just to enjoy the snow, please stay clear of moving equipment and use the winter hiking routes if grooming is taking place."
Other resorts throughout the Northwest, like Mount Bachelor, Oregon, and Crystal Mountain, Washington, have also faced delays connected to low snowfall.
Related: Mt. Bachelor, OR Delays Opening Indefinitely
Further south, in the Lake Tahoe area, the story is similar. While several major resorts around the Lake have opened, snowfall has been relatively minimal.
The disparity between ski resorts through North America became more evident when Alta Ski Area, Utah -- ever the overachievers -- kicked off the season with a powder day.
Similarly, several East Coast resorts, like Killington, Vermont, are happily trucking along.
All of this makes it tough to be a West Coaster right now.
That's part of the deal, though. Skiing, in a way, is like gambling. Sometimes it sucks; other times, you're on top of the world. But there is a silver lining. When hanging out in one of those weather troughs, I know the dry conditions will make those eventual powder days much sweeter. You gotta lose to enjoy hitting it big.
Or, at the very least, that's what I tell myself when the going gets rough. If it's any consolation, I, too, am waiting for the snow to start falling in my respective corner of the country.
Think snow, folks. Some of us really need it.
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