Blog 5: What to Expect This Winter

As we approach the latter half of the month of November, it almost seems as if we are just beginning to feel the cold air. The inconsistencies in weather in the past few weeks have forced ski resorts across the country to close their lifts. Killington, as well as many other resorts in New England, have been closed due to the lack of snow and cold weather needed to make snow. Although Killington opened relatively early this season, they had no choice but to close for a short period of time mainly because of the terrible conditions. This early in the season we come to expect these types of behaviors in weather, but this year in particular might take a turn in the wrong direction, and some say the reason behind this is El Niño. El Niño is a change in weather due to a rise in sea temperatures and a disruption of weather patterns in the jet-stream. This in turn, causes warmer than average temperatures in the north, and colder than average temperatures in the south. What might this do to resorts? Well the answer is simple, it'll force them to make more snow. 

The majority of ski resorts make snow throughout the season and the resorts that do make snow only produce so much of it every year, and are scheduled to stop at a certain time, which is usually February break for most. Since the weather is taking a severe negative swing, resorts may have to spend more money making snow. From a business perspective, what might this do to net profit? It'll definitely affect it in an unfavorable way. In addition to the predictions for snowfall, resorts might fall in sales for passes. For all those day-trippers out there, you might want to think twice about that 2 and a half hour drive to the mountain if there's no fresh pow to show for. 

Now that I have addressed all of the bad news, here is something that you might want to look forward to; the urban aspect of skiing. Urban skiing was thought to be a fad when it was first introduced about a decade ago, but has become increasingly dominant in the sport that most people believe would only take place on a groomed mountain. Urban skiing is much easier, and more tolerable in warmer temperatures, and when there isn't ten feet of snow on the ground. From finding basic trannies, to hitting massive high risk features, all usually don't require that much snow. All you need to make a successful urban location is a smooth run in, and a half descent landing. 

Regardless of weather conditions, it's definitely not stopping those hardo shredders out there like myself. It most likely will not be that blizzard-filled winter we all hoped for but I plan on skiing just as much, maybe even more than years past. Skiing is a sport that relies on natural occurrences so all we can do is wish that mother nature sympathizes for this skiing nightmare.