AUBURN (NEWS CENTER Maine) -- Maine's smaller ski areas rely more on snow storms, and the nor'easter beginning Wednesday night brought a boon for slopes managers.
Lost Valley Ski Area's general manager John Herrick said Thursday that the recent mild temperatures limited his staff's ability to make snow. Larger resorts, higher in elevation and in colder average temperatures, can make more snow more consistently.
"This month has been unseasonably warm. It's been difficult, we haven't had a chance to make snow," said Herrick.
He said they had planned to keep the mountain open until the end of March, but said his team met to discuss how they would shuffle around scheduled events if snow did not hit. Luckily, Thursday's storm dropped more than a foot of snow.
"This is just an anchor for us. This makes it so we can stay open that long," said Herrick. "It's perfect. The timing is perfect. We love it."
Herrick said the extra snow means a longer season, and therefore more money that they can reinvest in the mountain.
They plan to stay open until the end of March.