Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Rain, sleet and snow wreak havoc in Northeast, but ski bums love it

Associated Press

 STOWE, Vt. -- A winter storm that wreaked havoc on the Upper Midwest began its snowy assault on the East on Monday, spelling trouble for travelers but elation for ski resorts that suffered through an abysmal winter in 2006.

Drivers in much of the region had to navigate a mix of rain, sleet and snow as the storm -- which was blamed for at least 16 deaths -- made its way east, blanketing northern New England overnight and threatening to dump up to 20 inches in places.

"It's not snow. It's white gold," said Christopher Francis, innkeeper at Ye Olde England Inne, a 30-room inn in the shadow of Stowe Mountain Resort.

In Vermont, seven inches of snow welcomed skiers and snowboarders Monday morning. School was canceled or classes delayed from New York to Maine as highways turned slippery and wind gusted to 40 mph. Ice storm warnings were issued for Massachusetts and Connecticut, and winter storm warnings were in effect in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and northern and western New York.

At Portland International Jetport in Maine, flights were canceled because of poor conditions at connecting airports.

Hundreds of flights into the New York City area's three main airports were delayed as long as two hours Sunday by wind and ice.

But in northern New England, snowstorms are considered sacred events and parka-clad snow lovers will skip school, work or other commitments to take advantage. A line of people had already formed Monday when one of the lifts at Stowe Mountain Resort opened.

"We were supposed to be leaving today, but we decided to stay once we saw the weather," said snowboarder James Bykowski, 31, of Belmar, N.J. "I was pretty pumped," he said. His girlfriend -- a teacher -- called in sick Monday.

"This is a great way to start the season," said John Block, 37, of Huntington, N.Y., lacing up his boots in the parking lot. "It makes all the traveling and the waiting worthwhile."

Last year, Stowe was forced to close for four days in December for lack of snow. This year, early season snow prompted the resort to open a week early Nov. 17, and cold weather has helped snowmaking since then.

"How do I feel today? Euphoric," said spokesman Michael Colbourn.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA