DONNER SUMMIT, CA - Sierra ski resorts got a break from snow-making as a wave of wintry weather dropped up to several inches of new snow.
At Boreal Mountain Resort near Donner Summit snow fell through much of the day and evening on Monday, providing a soft carpet for the handful of boarders and skiers who made it up to ride on a workday.
Jason Jones had just made it in from Hawaii and was relieved to find conditions were good.
"One a.m. this morning, into Oakland from Hawaii, yeah. And got some snow!" Jones said as he stepped onto a quad chair for the 1,000 foot ride to the top.
Skier Guy Gandenberg of San Jose said it was the worst winter he could ever remember in the Sierra, but he complimented ski resorts for their ability to make up for mother nature with snow machines.
"Fantastic! I mean, the skiing is great. Even though there is no snow, somehow they figured out how to make it snow, so we feel pretty good about that," Gandenberg said before sliding over the lip at 7,500 feet and into a series of tight turns.
But for Vanessa Codungug, of Tacoma, Wash., the year has been a disappointment. She moved south to the Northern Sierra in hope of getting a job.
"I wanted to work at either Squaw or Alpine and tried to get a job and they had nothing for me. They were just bone dry," Codungug said, referring to the slow start of ski season this year.
Most Sierra resorts are managing fairly well, especially at higher elevations, by making snow with expensive, but very effective snow-making equipment.
"With our snow-making, we've really been able to stay ahead of everything. With our grooming, we'll be able to move everything around. And the other resorts have been able to open more and more with their snow-making," Boreal Mountain night manager Ron Sylvia said.
Now, they just need a little more consistent help from mother nature.
News10/KXTV