By Meghan Riding
meghan@newsroom.byu.edu
The sun has dried up skiers' desire to hit the slopes.
Fred Rollins, director of public relations for Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, said current ski conditions are similar to that of mid-season, but people in the valley do not realize that.
With the warmer, sunnier and drier weather in the valley, people don't always think about skiing, Rollins said.
'It's hard to understand that there is snow in the canyons when there is no snow in their yards,' he said. 'Their minds play tricks on them.'
This time of the year is when ski resorts rely on making snow, but because of the good base, snow makers have not been needed as much, Rollins said.
'We've been fortunate because of the good base, but that won't carry us through the season, we will need more snow,' he said. 'We're at the mercy of Mother Nature.'
Other ski resorts in Utah have been victims of Mother Nature's fickle snowfall.
Dan Malstrom, marketing and sales director for Brighton ski resort, said more snow is needed.
'We've had good temperatures at night that helps keep the snow good. But we could use more snow which will hopefully come soon,' Malstrom said.
Because of the sun in the valley, people are playing golf and missing some great skiing, he said.
'Seeing new snow will rejuvenate the public and remind people that it is ski season,' Malstrom said.
Mother Nature is going to grant skiers their wish - the weather is about to change.
'There will be a big change soon. The dry and mild weather will be gone by late Saturday. The cold and wet weather is right around the corner,' said Dennis Rodgers, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City.
The ski industry was blessed with the coldest November on record and an unusual early snowfall, Rodgers said.
Although temperatures in December are only slightly above normal, Utah has been extremely dry and lacked snowfall. Ski resorts have not had any new snow to add to the early white layers, he said.
A cold pattern is moving in Saturday that should lower temperatures and dump new snow on thirsty ski resorts, Rodgers said.
'The cold front coming this weekend will bring an onslaught of cold air and some snow. The most snow usually falls during the transition between weather patterns so the best shot is Saturday and Sunday for snow,' he said.
The new weather pattern should last through the middle of next week, Rodgers said.
Ski resorts can also expect to enjoy healthy ski weather throughout the season, he said.
Normal temperatures and precipitation are expected through February.
'The fact that ski resorts got so much snow so early will mean that even just normal snowfall is good,' Rodgers said.
Jason Stratford, 23, a junior from Houston, majoring in business finance, said he will be out on the slopes again after it snows.
'It will be perfect after a few weeks where it has snowed really hard and then it warms up a bit so it's not too cold,' Stratford said.