Winter enthusiasts have waited almost two years, but finally an abundant amount of snow has fallen in Western New York.
Skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers aren't the only ones happy. Business owners who make their living off the fluffy, white flakes are excited, too.
Hollyloft Ski, Bike & Snowboard Shop, located at 600 Fairmount Ave., Jamestown, is busy with shoppers looking to purchase new or used alpine or cross country skies or a snowboard.
Article Photos
Skiers enjoy the slopes at Holiday Valley Thursday following the most recent snowstorm. Holiday Valley is planning to have all slopes and terrain open this weekend.
Submitted photos
''It has been wild,'' said Les Johnson, Hollyloft owner, about how busy his business was Thursday. ''In December, we catch the first snowfall, ski school and Christmas all at once. It is usually the busiest month of the year for us.''
Johnson said the business is also filled with people wanting service on equipment they already own.
''Everyone is ecstatic when we get snow the week between Christmas and New Year's. That is when the kids are home from college and people are off from work. It is wonderful,'' he said.
Jane Eshbaugh, Holiday Valley Resort marketing director, said the large amount of snowfall not only brought in skiers to Ellicottville, but also garnered national attention.
''The Weather Channel was here for the whole day, so that was awesome,'' she said. ''So everyone in the country knows we got snow.''
Eshbaugh said with the snowstorm, the resort was able to open more slopes and terrain, with plans to have all 58 slopes opened this weekend.
''By Saturday or Sunday, we should have all the slopes open, and the tubing park,'' she said.
Eshbaugh said she hopes the snowy and cold conditions continue to last.
''It definitely seems to be setting up for a more consistent winter, but you don't count your chickens before they hatch when you are in a weather-related business,'' she said.
Brad Gravink, Peek'n Peak director of mountain operations, said the Findley Lake resort received about 8 inches following Wednesday's snow.
''It is different. We haven't had this much in two years,'' he said. ''We were hoping for more, but we will take the 8 inches.''
Gravink said 12 of the resort's 27 trails are now opened. He said the large amount of snow is appreciated during the Christmas holiday.
''This is usually our business week of the year so it is very important to us (to get snow),'' he said. ''If people see it in their backyard, they will think about skiing more than when they don't see it.''
According to the Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club's sno-phone hotline, trails are closed because of a lot of dangerous spots. Groomers will be working Thursday to clear the trails and fill in holes. Snowmobile trails could be open Friday. For more information, call the hotline at 753-2924 or visit chautauquasnow.com.