Lack of snow hurts town economy

Jack Frost went missing this December, and local Seeley Lake businesses said the lack of snow has hurt the town's winter sports economy, although there might be relief in sight.

The Clearwater, Swan and Blackfoot Valleys are all experiencing record-low snowpacks, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That could change this week, however, as several storms and arctic air will move into the region.

Snowmobiling rentals and cross country skiing have been severely limited.

And with fewer people visiting Seeley Lake for winter sports, there is less money going into the local restaurants and retail stores.

Bruce Rieman, of the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club, said the town trailhead has only opened for one weekend so far this year, meaning people who usually travel to the quality track have not been around.

"I don't think we have had a new year in awhile with no snow on the ground," he said. "We're hoping for snow, lots of it, or else we might have to worry about some of our events."

Rieman said roughly 6,000 people a year use the Seeley Lake trailhead annually, many of them going to the annual Skiesta, OSCR ski marathon and the biathlon race. He said the world-class trails bring folks from across western Montana, especially Missoula.

Once the trails get four inches of snow, volunteers will start grooming the area.

Snowmobile rentals might be hit the hardest, as local outfitters have had to cancel most appointments in December and even into January. Karl Zurmuehlen, owner of Kra-Z sports rentals, said the lack of snow has led to cancellations through Jan. 7

"Obviously we have hope that it will turn around, the whole town has got to be hurting now," Zurmuehlen said.

Snowmobiling is still possible at high elevation, but Zurmuehlen said the problem has been accessing the high country, as most roads don't have adequate snow cover. Even at the highest elevations, he said early-season conditions still exist.

Tamaracks Resort owner Jeff Kimmell said he also hasn't been able to rent out the snowmobiles yet, but he has seen success with ice fishing on Seeley Lake.

"Since there hasn't been any snow on the ice, it hasn't been insulated, so we actually have more clear and stronger ice," Kimmell said.

Tamaracks have ice augers, ice tent and spear rentals for guests and the public. Kimmell said

he is staying positive because of the diverse winter options people can still participate in, even the lesser known activities.

"People can fat bike, they can spearfish, they can ice skate," Kimmell said. "Despite the lack of snow for snowmobiling, don't forget about other things you can do."

In the next week, however, the conditions might look a bit like winter. Western Montana valleys are expected to pick up zero to three inches of snow, while the Mission and Swan mountain ranges are forecasted to get a foot of snow or more.

Rieman said folks should check the Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club website (www.seeleylakenordic.org) to get updated grooming reports. He added that the club will be joining other nordic clubs in publishing a area-wide snow report, which will also be available on the Seeley Nordic webpage.