Fortunes varied across US ski resorts by Matt Taylor
Snow has fallen in bucketloads this season for some US ski resorts, but others are still waiting to open after not receiving enough.
Despite the country experiencing one of its warmest Januarys since records began, many western ski resorts have had record or near-record amounts of the white stuff. Aspen has seen 6.3m of snow, and many locals in the Colorado resort say it’s the best they’ve seen. In Mammoth, California, 7.6 metres of snow has fallen since November, not far short of the average of 10m, and this comes just one year after the resort had a record-breaking 15.5m in a season.
Further south resorts are less fortunate. The Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff is still waiting for enough snow to allow them to open. The state is in the midst of a drought, and so far only half a metre of snow has fallen. Last year they saw 11.7m, which broke all records for the resort.
Artificial snow helps some resorts stay open despite a lack of natural falls, and in northeast USA resorts have become masters of the art. Skiers don’t mind fake snow; it’s better than no snow at all. Maine had its second-warmest January on record, but the resort of Sugarloaf is hoping for some real powder in March, traditionally its snowiest month.
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