N.C.'s ski resorts are waiting for business

North Carolina's ski resort operators say they understand the uncertainty caused by the faltering economy. "We face that worry and concern every winter," said Kim Jochl of Sugar Mountain resort. "It's called weather."

While the recession and its fallout cast uncertainty for businesses, officials with the Southeast's ski resorts say they worry more about the region's fickle weather.

"Traditionally, the ski industry has been economy-proof," said Jochl, a marketing official for 17 years at Sugar Mountain, the Avery County resort that marks its 40th anniversary next year. "For us, the biggest challenge is weather."

The current cold wave is made to order for ski resorts. The temperature this month has averaged 3.6 degrees below normal in Charlotte, and long-range forecasts show below-normal temperatures remaining in place through the end of November.

"It's nice to get natural snow, but it's more important for us to use our snow-making equipment," said Tammy Brown, marketing director at Cataloochee Ski Resort, a Haywood County resort west of Asheville. "That's where most of our base comes from."

When temperatures fall below freezing, the Carolinas' resorts rev up their snow-making machines, which convert water into powder - and produce the money that is a key part of the mountain counties' economy.

"A lot of people's livelihood depends on this industry," Jochl said.

Last year was good. Sugar Mountain operated from Nov. 7 until March 27, its longest season ever. The cold wave that arrived earlier this week allowed Sugar Mountain to open Monday. Three other ski resorts - Appalachian, Cataloochee and Ski Beech - plan to open this weekend. Hawksnest plans to open its tubing operations today, with the ski slopes to open later.

"This has been a fantastic start for us," said Drew Stanley, marketing director at Appalachian Ski Resort, in Blowing Rock. "These are mid-winter conditions, in the middle of November."

North Carolina ski officials say they think the faltering economy might discourage some Southeast residents from taking pricey ski trips elsewhere in the country and staying "at home." The recent drop in gas prices will help, they say.

"We're close," Cataloochee's Brown said. "People who might have gone out West will take their trips locally. And with gas prices dropping, it's more attractive to stay here."