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It's been about six months since we saw snow falling in Utah. One Utah town, though, knows it's coming.
Alta is a town that relies on snow maybe more than any other town in the state. One store owner told us the economy, business, and tourism would melt away if the snow didn't fall there.
Tom Pflofchan, owner of Alta Photohaus, said, "When people come to my shop, they like what I have."
Since 1968, the Alta Photohaus has been selling things like shirts, ski goggles, cup insulators. This past summer, though, it seems the economy has been keeping customers away. Even here, times are tough.
"They are tough, and it worries me, as well. I'm glad they passed this bailout package yesterday. I know that's going to bring positive thinking to people," he said.
The prospect of snow also brings positive thinking.
"We rely on these storms, especially the one predicted for today and tonight and maybe tomorrow," he said.
Alta, of course, is a ski town. It wouldn't be a surprise if everyone here owned a pair of skis. But more than that, snow brings visitors to the ski resort, the lodges, the restaurants and the shops. Without snow, Plofchan says businesses will suffer.
If you haven't been into the mountains yet to see the fall colors, there is still time. But snow is coming quickly. Lots of fluffy snow is the bailout package people of Alta need. Last year some 700 inches of snow fell in Alta. Anything close to that will make residents happy.
E-mail: acabrero@ksl.com
