Hope this wasn't already posted.
SC


Snowmobilers Stay Away In Droves

Lack Of Snow Hurts Businesses In Vt. And N.H.

BY GARY E. LINDSLEY, Staff Writer
Friday February 10, 2006
Caledonian-Record

This winter so far has been a repeat of, if not worse than last year when business at restaurants, stores and hotels dropped off dramatically because of the lack of snow.

The shortage of snow in the North Country of New Hampshire and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, has kept the snowmobilers away in droves - and the tourism industry depends on them for their winter income.

Without the snow, the trails have either a base of thin ice, or in some places, just bare earth.

Businessman Peter Murphy of St. Johnsbury, who owns a number of motels as well as the Comfort Inn and Suites hotel in St. Johnsbury, has really been hit hard.

"Snowmobiling is nonexistent," Murphy said.

He said he had about 300 room cancellations over the Martin Luther King weekend alone.

"I have not seen the weather like this," he said. "It has been very terrible, about the same as last year. Hopefully, February will be colder."

Marion Beattie, co-owner of The Creamery Restaurant in Danville, said the restaurant has seen only one snowmobiler since the beginning of January - and a snowmobile trail leads right to the door of the eatery.

"Usually, on a weekend, I can have a good 75 here," Beattie said.

Not only has her restaurant been affected, but her employees as well.

"It's really a trickling effect," Beattie explained. "If my wait staff is in not making any money, they aren't spending any money."

That affects grocery stores, gas stations and other businesses.

"I always call my snowmobilers the frosting on the cake," she said as she wiped the top of the bar. "I have lost my frosting."

Her brother, Marty, who owns Marty's 1st Stop, also in Danville, has seen his business affected as well.

"It's been zero," he said, referring to snowmobiler business. "It's usually in the hundreds. There has been only a couple of local kids. I have a snowmobile. It has not even been started."

Beattie thinks this season is even worse than last year.

"My partner is going to suffer the most ... the department of taxes," he quipped. "On a busy weekend, I usually have a thousand [snowmobilers]. I have seen a large loss in my revenue, but I have not cut any employees."

It is the second year in a row John's Market in Island Pond has seen a drastic drop in business.

"It's hurt the whole economy, including the ski areas," said John Gariepy, owner of the market.

Gariepy said his store had a decent last two weeks of December and first week of January. However, it has been downhill ever since.

"We are probably seeing half of what we usually do," he said.

Besides snowmobilers, Gariepy has also seen a drop off in skiers visiting his store.

Business has also been slow at The Cabot Motor Inn and Restaurant in Lancaster, N.H.

General manager Troy Bushey said both the motel and restaurant have been affected by the lack of snow.

"It's substantial," Bushey said. "The last three winters have not been kind for the tourism industry. It's made things tough."

The inn and restaurant have seen one bright spot during the season. Bushey said the inn was booked solid during last weekend's Easter Seals Ride In.

South of Lancaster, in Lisbon, N.H., The T&S Quick Stop Sunoco, has seen a dearth of snowmobilers this season - and it is located near a trail.

"It's been hard," said manager David Lalene. "Usually the snow machines make our business during the winter. Without the snow, our business is struggling.

"It's nothing to have 200 snowmachines on a weekend," Lalene continued. "We are lucky to get one a month this year."

He estimated business is down about 50 percent.

"The trails are horrible," he said.

Not only has the lack of snow affected stores, quick stops, restaurants and lodging, it also has affected the sale of snowmobiles.

"Business is off 75 percent," said Tyler Cahoon, parts manager at All Around Power in St. Johnsbury Center. "We have been dead since the beginning of January."

If the season was a good one, All Around Power would have sold about 100 snowmobiles by now, he said. The store sells Polaris and Yamaha snowmobiles.

"I thought last year was bad," said Cahoon, who has been at All Around Power for nine years. "I have never seen it this bad. Unless something turns around, this will be the worst."

I'm going up middle of march for a weekend with or without snow. Gotta support those poor people up there. Wait a minute, I'm poor too VAST pass and 0 miles so far?????????????? :doh:

I bet that there will be some hungry merchants up there!

so he usually sees 200 snowmobilers a weekend now he's lucky to see one a month but his business is down 50%. HMMMM I guess sombody doesn't know how to count.

Then theres the guy who usually sees 1000 sleds in a weekend. LOL Good article.

He didnt say snowmachines were his only business.

KR

bottom line, the people just aren't showing up. discount the article any way you like, but hotels, merchants and restaurants are hurting bad.





:div20: :div20: :div20:

I live in the Kingdom (home the Caledonian Record) and let me tell ya, they're not known for their top notch acurate reporting. (Theyre repportting is as gooder as mine grammer and speeling)

All shitting aside ... This winter has sucked and it's all my fault!

I BOUGHT MY FIRST SLEDS :banana:

This was my 1st season as an owner and rider and because of that I ruined everyones winter. I shit you not, the 1st weekend I bought my vast was the last weekend we had snow! :banghead:

I am SORRY to everyone ... but I have even worse news ...

Your summers gonna suck too ... I bought a boat :doh: