Weekend snow brings much-needed boost to outdoor recreation businesses

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HUNTSVILLE, Weber County — Parking lots in the Monte Cristo area were full Monday, as snowmobilers came out to enjoy several feet of fresh, new snow. The powder also brought an influx of business to Club Rec, which rents out snowmobiles and leads tours in the area. "We were begging for it and wanted it and finally got a bunch of snow, and people are excited," Casey Pratt, a part-owner at Club Rec said. "Up at the top of the mountain we're probably 3, 4 feet plus. Enough that everybody's getting stuck and, you know, facing different challenges now that they're out there." [gallery ids="740418,740417,740416,740415,740414"] Pratt told KSL earlier this month that it's been an especially unusual winter. While groups mostly from out of town have kept his business going, the new snow helps draw more locals to the mountains. "They see the snow, so they get a little bit more excited about winter," Pratt said. "It's one of the weekends that we count on to get a lot of people up here and have a good time, and it's been a good one so far." A stronger late winter could also help Pratt's business in the summer, as Club Rec opens its shops along Pineview and Willard Bay at that time. He adds that as more crowds are heading out, it's important for people to go prepared. "Avalanche beacons, all that kind of stuff," Pratt said. "And make sure you're with people, and people know where you're going, and just make sure that you're safe out there."