Valley businesses count on skiers

By Leslie Moriarty

Herald Writer

SULTAN — For some business owners along U.S. 2 in the Sky River Valley, there’s no business like snow business.

"It makes quite a difference," said Mike Hoskin of the Sultan Exxon station, a popular stop for those traveling to and from Stevens Pass. "When ski season comes, you can tell."

Not only is the weather a bit colder, he said, but there’s reason to add another clerk behind the counter, especially on the weekends.

Hoskin and other business operators along U.S. 2 said local traffic is their mainstay throughout the year. But the ski season business is a bonus.

Because last year’s ski season was not good, some businesses saw a substantial drop in profits throughout the winter. This year’s forecast is better.

"We’re glad of that," said Michael Strong, who spent Thursday working at Mount Si Board and Skate in Monroe.

Strong said if Thursday is any indication, this one will be a great season.

"We’ve been busy today with both sales and rentals," he said. "I guess it is really ski season now."

Customers included young adults, families with kids, and older people. Both boarding and skiing products were in demand, he said.

That was also the case for Rosario Olson down the highway in Gold Bar at The Mountain Co.

"We’ve been surprised that up until now it’s been slow," Olson said. "I think people have been concerned about having fun in light of everything that’s been going on in the world.

"And they are being cautious about spending their money."

Thursday also brought a bit more business to the Sultan Bakery, known for tasty fresh pastries so pleasing to skiers’ stomachs. Doughnut clerks said skiers began stopping by early on their way to Stevens Pass.

Another business that gains in the ski season is restaurants, said Glenda Terry, executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.

She said chamber members, including operators of restaurants, sporting good shops, gas stations and bank ATMs, often comment about how a good ski season can greatly help their success.

"Those are the places that the skiers need on their way to and from the pass," she said.

And once again this ski season, the Mountain View Chevron in Sultan is offering free parking and shuttle bus rides to Stevens Pass for skiers.

Owner Rusty Drivstuen makes the offer to help keep the traffic down on crowded U.S. 2.

You can call Herald Writer Leslie Moriarty at 425-339-3436

or send e-mail to moriarty@heraldnet.com.

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