Unusual warmth keeps Perfect North closed

The warm December weather is melting the hearts of snow-lovers wishing to ride the frozen hills of a popular Lawrenceburg, Indiana, skiing destination.

After three consecutive years of opening in November, Perfect North Slopes remains closed with no official opening date in site.

"We're just looking forward to anything that may give us some hope in the long-term forecast," said Jonathan Davis, operations manager. "It's pretty unusual."

Ski resorts in Michigan are also struggling with warm weather, according to the Detroit Free Press. The state's 51 skiing areas have seen too little snow to open or stay open.

The weather has only been cold enough to make snow on four nights so far this season, and the small snow piles that were made are now slowly melting. Davis hopes to try to make more snow in a week.

"We have piles that we're watching sadly melt away during these warm days," Davis said. "But it's something. It's a start."

The park saw its earliest opening date last year on Nov. 21. It has opened seven times in November in the past 20 years.

It's hard to pinpoint how the late opening will affect business, Davis said.

"Worse than finance, the morale factor is the toughest struggle right now. So many people want to get out on the snow," he said. "We realize this is the winter home for a lot of folks."

Sales for Perfect North season-pass holders are down 3 to 5 percent, but that is not unusual for this time of year, he said. December is usually a slower month because people are preparing for the holidays and spending time with family. Many people wait until they can see what winter weather will be like before they buy passes, he said.

It's better to have a bad weather period earlier in the season than later, Davis added.

He likes to remind staff that the previous earliest opening date, Nov. 30, 2000, was followed by a late Dec. 26 opening the next year with record-breaking snow and steady business.

"Maybe this is history repeating itself," he said. "All hope is not lost. I'm fully prepared and hoping that we are going to be open before Christmas."