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PARK CITY - Where's the snow?
With the base at most of Utah's resorts measuring just two feet, the state's ski industry - as well as skiers who are packing up for their Christmas ski vacations -- are starting to worry.
But resorts are doing an effective job of making snow of their own until a weather system can deliver the real thing.
Chuck English is the director of mountain operations at Deer Valley. He says the resort has been running snow-making machines since late October. That means more than half the runs and nearly all of the ski lifts are open for business.
It's not the soft, greatest snow on earth that everyone has come to know here in Utah, but it's still fun skiing.
–Chuck English
"It's not the soft, greatest snow on earth that everyone has come to know here in Utah, but it's still fun skiing," English said.
Downhill at Sundance, a lack of snow didn't keep first-time visitors from Canada away.
"The conditions are great, they really are," said Saad from Toronto. "It's not overly crowded, which is one good thing. Sure there isn't the powder snow that would be great, but kids are learning to ski, so for them, it's perfect."
While the resorts aren't covered in snow yet, the snow will eventually get here. The man-made snow and the clear blue sky is what is attracting local skiers and snowboarders to the resorts.
"It's been nice," said Marcus Groesbeck from Orem. "All the powder on the back mountain is pretty good."
At Ski Utah, the message to out-of-state skiers is, don't worry -- it's still early.
"Don't be discouraged by what you are reading on snow reports," said Jessica Kunzer with Ski Utah. "The resorts are doing a great job of maintaining their product."
English says it's not time to panic quite yet.
"They are coming regardless because this is their holiday tradition and they are going to have a great time," he said.
With six more days until Christmas, the resorts and skiers can keep on dreaming they will wake up to a white Christmas.
Email:spenrod@ksl.com