Don’t let the mild temperatures and lack of snow in your backyard fool you…Central New York ski resort operators say it’s a great time to hit the slopes. Holiday break is a critical time of year for the resorts.
The season got off to a strong start last month…Peter Harris is owner/operator of Song and Labrador Mountains.
"November was cold and snowy with lake effect and great snow making weather. A week or so ago, we had a nice single digit snow-making window, and both mountains laid it out and piled it up," Harris said.
Drew Broderick is Vice President of sales and marketing for Greek Peak and Toggenburg Mountains.
"This is actually day 32 of the ski season, so we got off really early this year. We had a lot of great opportunities to make snow early on," Broderick said.
She says they have 21 trails open on a base that maxes out at 42 inches. Broderick adds that the conditions are better for first timers who want to learn to ski or snowboard.
"The snow is a little heavier and a little slower, so it's a great opportunity with the holiday time off for guests to come out. It's also not as cold. So, for the fair weather folks who want to learn to ski or snowboard, there's no better time than right now because you don't have to wear as many layers."
Song and Labrador also have a full ski school. Peter Harris says the mild weather and green backyards mean they have to get the word out that they have snow. He says when yards where white in Syracuse, people were pouring in. Now, not so much.
"This period is critical to the whole winter. We can do up to 40 percent of our walk-up business in this two week period. So, man made snow really does save us."
Harris says tonight (Dec. 27) is the return of their Friday Night Freakout at Song Mountain, where the lifts are open until midnight, and tickets are $9.
On New Year’s Eve, Greek Peak will have two ski-side celebrations…one for adults in Trax Pub and Grill, and a family oriented party at Acropolis. Slopes are open until 10, followed by the torch run and fireworks.
