BANNER ELK, N.C. – There is snow on the slopes and the chairs are ready to take skiers from all over the world to the top.

  • Sugar Mountain Resort hires hundreds of people each season
  • Local businesses are looking forward to the busy season
  • The resort plans to blow more snow this week

“We started blowing Friday evening, and we blew through Sunday morning,” Sugar Mountain Ski Resort Vice President Kim Jochl said.

No one was at the resort Tuesday. Recent rainfall got rid of some of that snow from the landing of the slopes, but Jochl says not to worry.

“We have good coverage in some places, decent coverage in other areas. It's getting thin in some spots, but none the less, you can make a connection to the bottom,” Jochl said.

Along with good times, the resort brings in many jobs and income for other businesses.

The resort plans to blow some more snow when temperatures drop this week. The resort not only hires 500 people to work in the skiing portion, but 100 others to handle food. Many local businesses say having it open is good for the economy.

“The ski resorts will definitely help. The past two weeks have been busy, and I don’t feel like it will die down at all,” Bellas Breakfast manager Marisa Cornette said.

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She says the longer snow is blowing the better. Last year, Sugar Mountain blew snow in March for the first time ever and businesses say they were thankful.

“If the woolly worm is correct, we will have a long season this year,” Jochl said.

Many are hoping for a chilly and snowy season.

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