Many Central New Yorkers probably aren't complaining about the late arrival of winter weather. But that’s definitely not the case among ski resorts and those who hope to hit the slopes. Peter Harris is owner operator of Song Mountain in Tully and Labrador Mountain in Truxton. Neither has yet to open and stay open.
"We're looking forward to some lake effect, and we're looking forward to some nor easters. The winter's not a total bust yet.”
Harris hopes they can this weekend if they can make some snow.
"We kind of got spoiled the last two years. We opened the Friday after Thanksgiving...we call it White Friday. A more average opening is the middle of December. So this is a late day, though it is not unprecedented. But it is unusual. We're looking forward to getting the slopes open, and I know the public is chomping at the bit to get outdoors and doing some skiing and some snow boarding.”
The same is true at Toggenburg Mountain near Fabius, which has been unable to open. Jim Morris is the snow school director.
"I've talked to a lot of people whose kids got a lot of ski equipment for Christmas, and they're anxious to get out and get on it and start using it. We're certainly anxious to get started. As soon as the snow hits, I'm sure we’ll be crowded.”
Morris says they hope to open by the second weekend in January.
"We should have been going for the last three weeks. Now that the weather looks a little better, we're very hopeful we can get started."
Jessica Sloma shares that sentiment. She's Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
"We've tried, we've tried hard. We've made snow when we could through December, even when temperatures were marginal. We've got a lot of skiers and boarders who are waiting to get out on the slopes. We were able to open one trail two Mondays ago, and then mother nature destroyed it the next day."
Sloma says they’re pushing to open New Year’s Eve or this weekend, depending on the weather. Check with each location’s conditions before heading out. Here are some links: Toggenburg; Greek Peak; Song Mountain; Labrador Mountain.
