N.J. ski resorts look for security blanket (of snow)

New Jersey ski resort owners are disappointed with the recent mild weather, but they are optimistic about the season.

Mountain Creek and Crystal Spring Resorts in Vernon opened 10 days later than usual this year because of the relatively warm weather, according to Bill Benneyan, chief marketing officer for the resort.

“Christmas week is important in the industry especially if you’re a destination resort and you rely a lot on lodging and on dining,” he said. “Looking back a couple years, 2006 started kind of the same way, a slow holiday week around the region and then kicked in and everybody had a great season. So, plenty of winter left.”

Ronald Fuhr, general manager of Campgaw Mountain ski area in Mahwah, said the resort has been able to make enough snow to attract some skiers to the slopes.

“Attendance has not been bad,” he said. “Obviously without the natural snowstorm that we had last year, it’s been down just a little bit, but we have lots of customers out and they’re skiing top to bottom and enjoying themselves.”

With the nights getting colder now, both Benneyan and Fuhr say they’re able to make a lot of snow–improving prospects for a good season on the slopes.