LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – The mild winter weather has slowed down tourism and recreation all over the state for the second year in a row.
The lack of snow accumulation has had a huge effect on trail and slope conditions, causing a ripple effect throughout the economy of the U.P. The mild weather this winter has already resulted in over $40 million in losses for ski resorts across the state.
Mickey MacWilliams, president of the Snowsports Industry Association, says that 22% of revenue for ski areas is made in the week between Christmas and New Year.
“The warm temperatures have been very impactful to our industry over the Christmas holidays,” MacWilliams said. “Limited openings and not being able to open at all has had a big impact on our industry.”
With at least a base of snow, McWilliams explained that as long as temps drop under 28 degrees at night, ski hills can patch the slopes enough to keep them open. She says most hills are turning on their snow guns when they can to patch up and make sure that there’s enough snow on the slopes for everyone to be able to get out and enjoy.
“I mean this has impacted skiing and the skiing industry and there’s there’s going to be some money that’s not going to be able to be recouped in the amount of time of the year left.” MacWilliams said. “But look at how great it is out here and it’s just like this all over the state, so just I encourage everyone to get out and just really enjoy it.”
In Marquette, Travel Marquette CEO said last weekend’s Festival of the Sled Dog was one of a few events that still occurred, bringing some relief to the area. But businesses in places like Lake Gogebic are still working to find ways to make up the difference.
In Wisconsin, Governor Tony Evers announced relief for business owners through the Federal Disaster Loan program. President of the Lake Gogebic Chamber of Commerce, Mary Beth Defazio, said in her area businesses are desperate for similar relief. Since December, they’ve reported over $7 million in losses, filing for assistance in January that they have yet to receive.
Defazio said at this point it will be difficult to build up enough snow to boost recreation this winter, so they’re already focusing on ways for businesses to make up for the losses by bringing in more visitors in the summer.
