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Let it Snow – Local Businesses Optimistic About Mother Nature

December 17, 2008 - LAKES REGION -- As cold temperatures and snowfall blanket the Lakes Region, sales of season passes at Shawnee Peak are up by a double-digit percentage, and some business owners are optimistic for a snowy winter and the tourists that come with it.

Though the Lakes Region may be known for its many summer activities, plenty of people travel to the area for winter recreation as well, given there is snow.


Skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and the area’s winter carnivals all require snow, and some business owners depend on mother nature to determine a good or a bad season. With plenty of snow in Bridgton last winter, Shawnee Peak had 140,000 skier visits, and 3,000 to 4,000 visitors came to the Musher’s Bowl Winter Carnival. Despite the faltering economy, business owners in the Lakes Region are hoping a snowy winter could offset any losses caused by people spending less on winter recreation this year.

“No matter what the economy is doing, snow is still a priority,” said Greg Sweetser, executive director of the Ski Maine Association.

Melissa Rock, director of marketing and communications for Shawnee Peak, said the number of visitors can differ by 40 percent between a good snow year and a bad one. The ski area, which is Maine's longest running slope, employs 250 mostly seasonal workers.

Due to a snowy season last winter, the ski area was able to invest $500,000 in more energy-efficient snow making machinery and an addition to the base lodge.

“We had a big year last year,” Rock said.

Shawnee Peak will be open for the first time this season Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The mountain will be closed for skiing Dec. 15-18 and will reopen on Friday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Though Rock said snowmaking equipment is kind of like an insurance policy for ski areas during low-snow years, people go skiing more often when they have snow in their backyards.

She was optimistic for this winter, pointing out that the Farmer’s Almanac predicted a cold and snowy winter this year and last.

The Farmer's Almanac online forecast predicted a colder winter than normal, primarily due to persistent cold temperatures throughout December. It predicted near or slightly above normal precipitation, with below-normal snowfall in northern New England. The National Weather Service's long-range forecast didn't predict precipitation for Maine.

“People are used to going skiing in New England,” Rock said, adding that people may stay closer to home this year to save money.

Sweetser said last season was a record-setting year with 1.4 million skier visits in Maine.

“In reality, it’s all about the snow,” Sweetser said. “Snow is our primary ingredient.”

Sweetser said this season has started off well, with cold temperatures and precipitation. Cold temperatures are important to making snow, Sweetser said, and snow on the ground is important to inspire people to switch their frame of mind to a winter mood.

Though Sweetser acknowledged that skiers may be budgeting their winter recreation this year, he said season pass sales were up and he’s optimistic that some New Englanders will stay closer to home. A small ski area like Shawnee Peak may get more customers from Maine and New Hampshire.

Tom Gyger, owner of nearby Five Fields Farm Cross Country Ski Center, was also optimistic for a successful winter. The low early December temperatures and precipitation provide a base to work with when more snow flies, Gyger said.

Gyger built ski and dog sled trails through his apple orchards to expand his business into the winter. He said snowfall isn't the only factor affecting his business.

“Cross country skiing is less expensive, but you’ve got to work at it,” Gyger said. Sunny weather brings skiers out, and forecasts for frigid temperatures keeps them home.

Gyger also hosts the annual dogsled races as part of the Musher’s Bowl Winter Carnival organized by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Director of the chamber Michael McClellan said the snow is important to the 10-day event, though there are some activities that don’t require it.

The carnival is scheduled for Jan. 16-25 and includes dogsled races, a dodge ball tournament and a biathlon. New this year are a photo contest at Gallery 302 and a fundraising dinner organized by the local free masons.

Following the Musher’s Bowl will be the Naples Winter Carnival from Feb. 13-15, and the Sebago Lake Rotary Club Derby Fest and Winterfest Feb. 20-22.

Because summer people will flood to the area reliably, McClellan said the chamber has to work harder in the winter to get the word out about what there is to do in the Lakes Region. Winter carnivals and winter recreation all bring money to the local economy, he said, adding that snowmobilers are one of those groups that travel to the area to recreate on many miles of trails.

The Standish Sno-Seekers Snowmobile Club maintains around 60 miles of trails in the town, several of which connect to trails in other towns and including some trails also used by cross country skiers.

President of the club Jim Durgin said the club has added new members in the last year and a half, partially due to a good snow year last season. This fall the group donated volunteer labor and $2,500-$3,000 to build or fix eight bridges.

Bob Walker, one of the club’s trail masters, was preparing grooming equipment this week. The equipment doesn’t come cheap, or the gas to power them, and the club depends on fundraising, memberships and some money collected by the state for snowmobile registrations, which is returned to the town and given to the club.

Snowmobilers can’t rely on there being enough snow in Standish to ride every year, Walker said, and so local businesses don’t rely on the sport as much as businesses up north. But Poulin said local businesses do benefit from snowmobilers buying gas and food in a good year.

“They’d rather ride locally than go up north,” Walker said of some snowmobilers. “It’s easier on their pocketbook.”

“Winter, for those who like outdoor sports, is never long enough,” Gyger said.

By Julia Davis
Reporter - Lakes Region Weekly
December 11, 2008


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Regions: Sebago


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