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SALT LAKE CITY -- Another round of snowstorms means major headaches for many, but there is a silver lining.
Utahns expect to dig out their cars and driveways from underneath mounds of snow Tuesday. The chill in the air and snow on the ground has many dreaming of warmer destinations.
Last year a lot of people came and the snow wasn't as good as people would have liked. I think there's pent-up demand, so when the powder comes, people want to get here.
–Julian Castelli, Vacation Roost
"Of course when it gets really gold, people who are in the cold want to go somewhere warm," said Julian Castelli with Vacation Roost.
Castelli reports a 30-percent boost so far this year in Utahns booking vacations to sunny destinations like Hawaii, Florida and California.
But Utah business owners are basking in the chill - more vacationers are flocking to the slopes seeking out our world-famous snow this year than last. Castelli says his company has seen at 25-percent jump in tourists coming to ski Utah's slopes.
"Last year a lot of people came and the snow wasn't as good as people would have liked," said Castelli. "I think there's pent-up demand, so when the powder comes, people want to get here."
Related:
Another storm to pelt Utah with 2-5 inches of snow
A winter storm that pummeled northern Utah with up to a foot of snow and contributed to 200 traffic accidents that left nine people injured, isn't over.The Utah Board of Tourism reports that after January's first snow, hits to the ski resorts from the agency's website jumped from 11.9 percent to nearly 21 percent. This will likely mean more money for Utah businesses.
"A lot of our partners are doing very well after the snow came," said Castelli. "We're very relieved after last year."
Another silver lining to all this powder: no more inversion. The majority of Utahns we spoke with say the inconveniences brought on by snow definitely beat breathing filthy air.
