Like a lot of people, this week I was thinking about how it still hasn’t snowed. If you believe the Schweitzer snow reports, the skiing is good because the groomers are doing the most they can with the paltry amount of snow they have up there.
The conditions might be good. Like a lot of people, I haven’t been up there to find out. I’m not a great skier, so I avoid "early season conditions" that (again according to the snow reports) they still have. For those who don’t ski, "early season conditions" is a euphemism for all the exposed terrain, rocks, and other hazards that be in your path as you shoot down the hill. If you aren’t good enough to dodge the hazard, you can wipe out in a serious way. That would be me.
But I was thinking that skiing Schweitzer when it’s sunny is an incredible experience because the view of the lake below is just so gorgeous. And I’m missing it, because I’m too chicken to ski when there are "early season conditions." It’s hugely depressing.
Then I thought some more. Mister Sun has been out for a couple of weeks, which is almost unheard of in the wintertime. This clear and cold weather is ideal for making snow if you have the machinery to do it. So you have to wonder if the Schweitzer folks are thinking about investing.
The ski business is risky, so it’s easy to see why so many resorts have snow-making equipment to help compensate for the vagaries of Mother Nature. It’s expensive, but the inevitable drop in season pass sales next year is going to be too.