By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-998148.mp3
Plattsburgh, NY – Ski areas across the region have been taking advantage of lower temperatures at higher elevations to get some trails open. The resorts are hoping that a storm moving across the country's midsection brings snow by the Christmas weekend to induce visitors to the slopes. Ski Areas of NY is the trade association that represents the ski industry in the state. President Scott Brandi says because of snow-making technology it's not the lack of snow that ski areas are worried about as the critical holiday week begins.
Mad River Glenn is a cooperatively-owned ski area in Vermont. They have three snow guns and rely on natural snow for most of their trails. Marketing Director Eric Friedman says they look at the longer term and expect these types of years.
Scott Brandi says the week between Christmas and New Year's accounts for a substantial portion of a ski resort's annual business.
Lake Placid bills itself as the Winter Sports capital. But that tag is a bit deflated if there's not much snow on the ground as winter starts. Friday morning, Mayor Craig Randall was looking out his window at three inches of new-fallen snow, with a forecast of more to come.
According to the National Weather Service, the snowiest month for the region is usually January.