Dry weather brings mixed reviews as Christmas approaches

Dry weather brings mixed reviews as Christmas approaches

SALT LAKE CITY – On Thursday it was six days until Christmas, and yet it hardly felt wintry.

With sunny skies, temperatures in the 50s, and barely any snow from the valley floor to the lower foothills, it was difficult to distinguish between December 19th and October 19th.

Still, the unseasonably mild conditions drew mixed reviews from those lukewarm about the snow and those craving a good dose of powder.

“I like it because I just don’t like the cold,” Samantha Butterfield said as she enjoyed the evening’s golden hour at Dimple Dell Regional Park.

Samantha Butterfield is out at Dimple Dell Regional Park on Thursday.

Samantha Butterfield is out at Dimple Dell Regional Park on Thursday. (KSL TV)

The professional photographer said business was significantly better this year than last thanks to more temperate conditions.

“Certainly the weather has helped business a lot,” she said. “Last year, business was a lot slower just because I photograph a lot of younger families and they don’t want to bring their little kids here because they last five minutes.”

Pam Dibblee, who was walking her dog, said it was nice to get outside and above the haze, but also lamented the lack of snow.

“I just look at the mountains and I’m sad,” Dibblee said. “There’s just no snow.”

Ski resorts remained relatively optimistic about the season, although snow at higher elevations was still far from ideal.

At Solitude Mountain Resort, communications and public relations manager Andria Huskinson said the resort currently has a 28-inch base, whereas it was more used to 50 inches the week before Christmas.

“We haven’t been able to open up the upper mountain yet,” Huskinson said.

Skiers and snowboarders enjoy the snow in the mountains at Solitude Mountain Resort.

Skiers and snowboarders at Solitude Mountain Resort enjoy the snow in the mountains. (KSL TV)

Huskinson said three of the resort’s eight lifts are open so far, with a fourth, Eagle Express, scheduled to open Friday.

“We didn’t get the snow we’re used to, but everyone was up here having a good time,” she said.

She said business should pick up next week regardless of the holidays, and she was optimistic about the coming weeks.

“I always say Mother Nature is the one who makes all the decisions,” Huskinson said. “You never know what Mother Nature will offer you.”

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