This story was originally published by Carolina Public Press.
As winter approaches, the ski industry in Western North Carolina is eager to showcase a comeback. Following the devastation by Tropical Storm Helene, local ski resorts are determined to prove that the mountains are back in business.
The previous ski season was marked by adversity for Sugar Mountain in Avery County, where a series of calamities, including a fire at the ski patrol building and significant flooding, hit just weeks before the season’s start. Despite these setbacks, the mountain enjoyed a healthy 76 inches of snow.
“That definitely made us work very, very hard to recover from Helene and the damage that she did to the ski area,” said Kim Jochl, president of the NC Ski Association and vice president at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort, to Carolina Public Press.
Despite these efforts, the economic impact of last year’s season was subdued since many believed the region was still reeling from the storm. This year, the outlook is promising, and residents are hopeful for another snowy winter.
“We need a win, and this is an opportunity for a win,” commented David Jackson, president of the Boone Chamber of Commerce.
Ski Industry Workforce Challenges
Staffing the slopes is a perennial challenge for ski resorts, which became even more pronounced after Helene. Seasonal workers, who typically alternate between summer and winter jobs, faced disruptions that led some to seek more stable employment elsewhere.
“It’s just taken a little bit longer for some of the resorts to get what they need in terms of employment,” Jackson explained.
This year, Sugar Mountain has increased its foreign labor force to 60 positions, up from last year, to address these staffing shortages.
Pocketbook Problems
While the ski resorts are eager to welcome back visitors, broader economic concerns could impact potential skiers. Ongoing inflation and economic uncertainty might cause families to reconsider discretionary spending on leisure activities like skiing.
“North Carolina prospects list the top three concerns impacting their decision to take a leisure trip as inflationary pressures on household budgets, availability of great travel deals, and concerns about personal finances,” said Marlise Taylor, director of tourism research at VisitNC.
Nevertheless, Jochl remains optimistic that the allure of fresh snow will draw skiers regardless of the economic climate.
Is Climate Change Affecting WNC Slopes?
Jochl, who has documented snowfall on Sugar Mountain for over two decades, suggests that while yearly snowfall is unpredictable, there has not been a steady decline attributable to climate change.
Between 2001 and 2013, the average annual snowfall was 82.6 inches, compared to 63.6 inches in the years that followed. However, no seasons post-2014 have surpassed 100 inches of snowfall, unlike five seasons in the earlier period.
With 16 inches already recorded this year, the ski season is off to a promising start, signaling a potential resurgence for the region.
“Our message to ski visitors this year is, first of all: thank you for coming back. You knew that we had it in us,” Jackson expressed.
Carolina Public Press is an independent, in-depth and investigative nonprofit news service for North Carolina.
