Ski areas winter worries

[playoutside]

Interesting article from today's Globe. I tend to agree with their fears. Check out the skis on the kids in the photo...picture must be 10+ years old.

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2008/09/mild_winter_a_c.html

 

[dmc]

"The nation's 10.6 million well-heeled downhill skiers and snowboarders typically find a way to get out on the mountains when snow falls, data shows. "

I guess telemark skiers don't count...

 

[drjeff]

Another big worry AGAIN this year for ski area operators that rely on foriegn seasonal workers is it appears that again this year there will be problems with the numbers and accessibility of H2-B Visa's for this pool of potential employees.

 

[SkiDork]

"The nation's 10.6 million well-heeled downhill skiers and snowboarders typically find a way to get out on the mountains when snow falls, data shows. "

I guess telemark skiers don't count...

 

[deadheadskier]

Another big worry AGAIN this year for ski area operators that rely on foriegn seasonal workers is it appears that again this year there will be problems with the numbers and accessibility of H2-B Visa's for this pool of potential employees.

would think that with an unemployment rate of 6+ % they'd be able to find somebody

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I get dibs on the front-left lady...she's fine..JEA!!!!

That picture from the article looks like it's from the 80s

 

[AMAC2233]

That picture from the article looks like it's from the 80s

I wouldn't be too sure. I'm almost positive that the picture was taken at Weston Ski Track in MA. It's a public golf course that becomes a cross-country ski area in the winter. A lot of schools in the Boston area run programs for little kids there - I did it when I was younger. I wouldn't be surprised if the picture was from a recent year, since the equipment they rent tends to be older from what I've found (although I haven't been in 3 or 4 years.) Don't forget that XC skis are different than downhill skis.

 

[wa-loaf]

Hmm, weird that they posted a xc pic for an article about downhill skiing.

 

[deadheadskier]

Nice little quote in there from AZ Celebrity Tom Horrocks aka SpinmasterK :lol:

good job tommy :lol:

 

[ERJ-145CA]

Hopefully the lack of sunspots will mean a cold winter like it has historically.

 

[thetrailboss]

Hmm, weird that they posted a xc pic for an article about downhill skiing.

Typical Boston Globe stupidity....

 

[riverc0il]

would think that with an unemployment rate of 6+ % they'd be able to find somebody

Problem is who wants to work seasonal jobs for minimum wage? S is about to loose her job due to the economy and wouldn't be able to pay the bills with a ski area wage rate. Doesn't help that ski areas are not exactly huge population centers with tens of thousands of teenagers looking for a break with a crappy job. The demographics of the larger ski area regions are slanted away from people who want ski area type jobs.

 

[Hawkshot99]

Check out the skis on the kids in the photo...picture must be 10+ years old.

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2008/09/mild_winter_a_c.html

They are XC skis........

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I think it's all going to come down to $$$$$$. Non die-hards simply can't justify the expense of lift tickets, lodging and transportation for a recreational hobby. I see northeast/new england ski areas having an off year in terms of skier visits regardless of weather..

 

[playoutside]

They are XC skis........

Totally agree, now that I'm not looking at a screen with crap resolution. Was more fun thinking it was Globe being pathetic and grabbing old pictures.