Latest snowfall helps bolster winter sports enthusiasm

While the overnight storm doesn’t bring significant amounts of snow, it does help to keep winter enthusiasts on the slopes and trails after a slow start to the season.

The National Weather Service shows that by 1 a.m. Wednesday the total expected snowfall is less the farther north you travel in Vermont and northern New York, with accumulations ranging from 2 to 6 inches.

Ski Vermont President Molly Mahar notes that the southern portion of the state would likely receive more snow than the central and northern regions during the current storm.

“In the last week or so we’ve seen some areas pick up close to two feet of snow. Not all at once. What I would certainly say in a season like this is certainly more important. So even if we see there’s up to 8 to 10 inches of snow in southern Vermont, that’s awesome. We’ll definitely take it. I mean we rely on the snow quite a bit but of course the natural snow is helping us open up more terrain and energize the market as we now head into March.”

Snowmobiling is a $550 million industry in Vermont. The Vermont Association of Snow Travelers, commonly known as VAST, maintains and oversees a network of more than 4,700 miles of snowmobile trails throughout the state. Executive Director Cindy Locke characterizes all of this season’s winter snowfall as start-and-stop, with the most recent snowfalls showing the most promise for drivers.

“It has snowed more in the past few weeks and stayed cold, which is very helpful. They know any small amount will help us, but as temperatures have been good winter temperatures for the last few weeks we have been able to maintain a base. I think we’re very optimistic about the season. And it was definitely a slow start and it wasn’t just for Vermont. As you know New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, everyone, it’s been a very slow start to the season. Even Canada, Quebec. And we were only able to make up for this loss last month.”

While the Presidents Day holiday week is the last of the ski season’s “three peaks” after the Martin Luther King holiday and the Christmas season, Mahar says the current storm and another forecast this weekend are preparing for a strong March for skier visits have.

“We are ready to gain some ground this month. I would also like to note that we are doing pretty good Canadian business in the northern half of the state during the month of March as these schools are on vacation. Therefore, we definitely cannot rule out March. It really is the final core month of our season. I think it’s very important that we get this snow and this weather now. And we have more snow forecasts through next week, with the possibility of a big storm on the horizon later this week. So this is really good news and I think it is very important for the industry as a whole.”

The National Weather Service in Burlington says the region could be hit by a stronger storm later this week and over the weekend, but it’s too early to pinpoint the exact track or amount of snow.