Reno/Tahoe’s Dry Winters Has Outdoor Enthusiasts Adjusting Their Winter Recreation (Audio Story)
Katelyn Welsh reports on this winter’s precipitation and temperature trends and how outdoor enthusiasts are reacting.
This year’s winter had a deceptive start with record breaking snowfall in December transitioning into record breaking dry months in January, February and March. As explained in audio story below, Daniel McEvoy at the Desert Research Institute says this is the third dry winter in a row.
Low precipitation and other concerning patterns this winter have avid winter resort pass holders questioning purchasing passes next winter.
Evan Waterhouse usually purchases next season’s pass at this time of year for the early discount, but he is not jumping to buying a pass this time around.
McEvoy says the general trend for ski resorts will be shorter seasons. These shorter seasons have already been felt at the Northstar resort where employee Scott Hillock has experienced staffing rearrangements with lift workers made to take up food, drink and maintenance jobs.
The snow conditions on the mountains as a result of the low precipitation winter have caused dangerous terrain and many people already looking forward to summer plans, way ahead of when they usually do.
Others, like Clayton Helzer, have already gotten ahead of the curve and redefined how they recreate during the winter by supplementing this short season with other activities as early as February with rock climbing and mountain biking.
Next winter will be pivotal to data trends and climate change assessments, but this third dry winter in a row already has outdoor winter hobbyists adjusting their plans.
