The (Sniff) End of Winter

That ugly time of year is in sight: early Spring. The snow has melted away from most of the neighbor's yards. There is still a 3 foot pile in my front yard, but the ribbon of snow I packed in for a few joyrides is about gone. And the morning fog is a killer of snow--or rather, a sign that the white stuff is on the way out.

That said, there's a reason that you pay $30 for a lift ticket at your local hill, and more at mountain resorts. There are lifts to run and maintain, of course, and liability insurance, not to mention the hope of some profit. But there is also the all-important activity of snowmaking. So call your local ski area and see what their base is.

Me, I think I've got another week around here. Then it's time to head north.