Warm weather pushing earnings downhill at area ski resorts
The warm weather is disappointing those who usually make skiing in the region part of their holiday tradition.
While there’s no skiing now at the Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey, marketing director Sara Hazen says they’re trying to make the best of it.
“We wish we could be open and operating, but we still have other initiatives and activities going on at the resort,” she said. “And we’re still just working to get everything ready for the upcoming winter season, as well as taking advantage of the time to get work done that would normally get done in the spring. “
Ron Fuhr, human resources manager at Campgaw Mountain Ski Area in Mahwah, New Jersey, said the slopes are normally open by Christmas — but not this year because they can’t make any snow until it gets cold.
A later start to the ski season is troubling, he said.
“A lot of people home from college and looking for that little bit of work that they get on their college break because we’re open and they’ve worked for us for years, we’re not able to have them come in and work,” Fuhr said. “So it affects everybody, not only the skiers but the help as well.”
He said he hopes to be able to make up for the late start.
“The last two winters, we’ve been able to be open on Easter weekend because it seemed like once winter got here, it didn’t go away. So we’re hoping for a later season that just continues on like in the past couple of years and get the full gamut of skiing in for the winter.”
Fuhr said snow-making equipment is ready to go and get the slopes open for skiers as soon as the weather allows.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.