Local Ski Areas Anxiously Await Winter Conditions

Ski areas throughout the region are eager for the start of more normal winter conditions, and Thunder Ridge in Patterson is no exception.

The slopes at Thunder Ridge wait for cold temps and snow.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Thunder Ridge and area ski slopes wait for cold weather so they can turn on the snow guns.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Chair lifts wait to carry skiers up the hill at Thunder Ridge.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Thunder Ridge continues to prepare for opening, as soon as cold weather settles in.
Photo Credit: *Skip Pearlman*

Skip Pearlman

01/03/2016 5:00 p.m.

A visit last week found snow guns in the "ready" position and crews on standby, but little snow on the slopes.

"Right now, we're ready to make snow," Rental Manager Rob Marturano told Daily Voice Wednesday afternoon.

Marturano said temps need to fall to 27 degrees or below in order to get the snow guns going.

"So far we've had one night," he said. "And that snow is long gone, with the recent warm weather. The last few nights have been marginal, but this weekend is looking promising."

Ski areas live for the winter, so this has been a difficult stretch.

"Winters like this are tough," Marturano said. "It's an uphill battle. We always count on Christmas week, that's usually a good week, but with this... I've been here 18 years, and this is one of the latest starts we've had. But it always comes.

"We tell people to do a snow dance," he added. "And to keep praying for cold temperatures. We don't need snow, but we need cold weather."

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