7 replies to this topic

[Bill]

Here is whats happening in the PNW:

 ski_season_012605.jpg (23.25K)
Number of downloads: 36

Quote

Dismal Ski Season Gets Even Worse

January 26, 2005

By Kimberly Hill


CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN - The dismal ski season just got worse, as Crystal Mountain closed shop Wednesday. They were the last of the Cascade ski resorts trying to make a go of it, but now there's no downhill resorts open in Western Washington.

It's not just sad for skiers. It's bad for business.

Forget about champagne powder and sunny slopes, Washington's ski season has been a drippy mess. It's making for a big melt down of our state's $11 billion ski industry.

Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, Steven Pass, Mt. Baker are all closed before the end of January. Industry watchers say it's the worst season they can remember. The resort closures are costing the industry up to $4 million a week and more than 3,000 people could ultimately lose their jobs to layoffs.

Then there are the families who shelled out big bucks for lessons and season passes that now sit on a coffee table.

"It's just really disappointing that we bought the passes and we want to ski," says Janine Kotan. "But we can't."

"For the four of us it was a $1,000 roughly," says Curtis McVay. "That's about $500 a trip for no snow."

Consumer enthusiasm has also begun to melt for skis, boots and boards-- anything to do with the slope.

"It has easily impacted January sales by 40 percent," says Tom Price, manager of Issaquah Ski and Cycle. "It's put a major damper on things."

But faithful skiers believe the entire season is not yet on the rocks. They're hoping that all the rain will transform into flakes before the season is over.

Here are the dailies from the three with webcams:

Crystal Mountain:  cmsnowcam2.jpg (37.88K)
Number of downloads: 37

Stevens Pass:  stevenspass.jpg (63.8K)
Number of downloads: 25

Alpental:  testSki.jpg (17.25K)
Number of downloads: 19

[Bill]

Or this:

 bears_012705.jpg (13.95K)
Number of downloads: 18

Quote

'These Guys Are Waking Up'

January 27, 2005

By Brian Calvert




KING COUNTY - The warmer weather this month is not only getting the attention of forecasters and skiers, but the animals are starting to notice as well. That means you might want to be careful in the woods.

The tropical air and warmer temperatures are making headlines several miles away. Even Yogi Bear in Jellystone Park has noticed that it's just too warm to be sleeping.

January is normally hibernation time for bears.

"These guys are waking up," says Rocky Spencer with the North Bend Ranger Station. "When we begin to look at these record-high temperatures like we've been seeing, they (the bears) begin to wake-up."

Even though the bears around here don't have a traditional "long" hibernation, they're still usually still asleep in late January. And when you wake-up, you're usually hungry. The bears are the same.

"They might be looking for bird feeders and barbecues and that kind of thing," Spencer adds. "You know, these guys start coming out early like this and there isn't any food, people are going to have to be very diligent about keeping pet food and bird feeders inside."

While there haven't been a lot of sightings so far, Spencer says if things continue to be warm, those living near the woods should be on the look-out.

Spotting a bear in the backyard is just something we're not used to seeing in January.

"This is generally something we begin to see in mid-March. This is very, very early," Spencer says.

[KZ]

dang thats really bad. Im sure itll cool down eventually for you guys. I'm guessing that whistler is the only semi close resort to seattle/tacoma that is open right now, am I right?

[iceberg210]

If this continues it sure is going to be a rough year at Booth Creek.

[KZ]

yikes, I can only imagine. At least the tahoe resorts are having a strong year as of now.

[edmontonguy]

Whistler is only about half open. Rain has been causing tonnes of trouble. As soon as one enters the okanogan the snow levels increase tremendously. Southern BC and Alberta are in rough shape Castle mountain has recently closed up after a brief begining to the season. On the bright side of things skiing in the rockies couldn't be better. With all resorts getting dumped including record levels at kickin horse. Though temperatures have been reaching over freexing consistently the snow conditions remain intact.

[liftmech]

Suddenly our 45" base with no snow over the last two weeks doesn't sem that bad. The weather guessers are forecasting more snow over the next few days as well.
Booth Creek I'm not worried about. I feel for their employees, all of whom have probably been laid off. I wonder if the pass areas (White, Rainqualmie, and Stevens) have though about keeping their day lodges open for travellers?

[Allan]

edmontonguy, on Jan 27 2005, 09:35 PM, said:

Whistler is only about half open. Rain has been causing tonnes of trouble. As soon as one enters the okanogan the snow levels increase tremendously. Southern BC and Alberta are in rough shape Castle mountain has recently closed up after a brief begining to the season. On the bright side of things skiing in the rockies couldn't be better. With all resorts getting dumped including record levels at kickin horse. Though temperatures have been reaching over freexing consistently the snow conditions remain intact.
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ahem... We're fine in southern BC thanks :)