Want it or not, Valley still waiting for winter

EOWYN LeMAY IVEY -- Frontiersman reporter

No shoveling snow drifts in the driveway, no scraping the car window in below-zero mornings -- there's something to be said for a Seattle-like winter. But it also means no snowmachining, no skiing, no building snowmen.

Financial impact aside, Valley residents can't seem to agree on whether or not this year's record-breaking warm temperatures and complete lack of snow is a blessing or a curse. For some, the dry ground and dry roads means stress-free driving and summer-like outdoor activities.

"I'm absolutely enjoying it. It's just wonderful weather," said Valley business owner Karen Berg.

She compared it to the mild winters of her former hometown of Seattle, where scant snow and warm temperatures allow people to jog, bicycle and get outdoors year-round.

"I don't feel trapped in the house," Berg said.

Those who like the mild weather so far this December say it's also making the season pass more quickly.

Others have a different perspective.

"I just want it so bad," said Valley resident Eric Meester. Meester gave up his snow plowing business this year so he wouldn't have to sit around and wait for it to snow to make money. Now, he's waiting for it to snow so he can have fun.

"When it snows, I want to be the first person out there on a snowmachine," Meester said.

The desperate desire to hit the snow full blast has some people towing their snowmachines north up the Glenn Highway for several hours to Eureka.

"Everybody and their mother has gone up there," said Chris Graeber of Hatcher Pass Polaris. "We're feeling very antsy."

Many others, however, share the mixed feelings of Kurt Devon. As a road superintendent for the state, more snow means more work stretched out among a smaller staff. And, on a personal note, Devon said this mild winter has allowed him to continue working on the house he is building.

But like a lot of Valley residents, Devon enjoys outdoor winter activities.

"I'm ready for it to snow," he said. "And the kids are going nuts, wanting to go skiing and snowmachining."

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service was predicting temperatures to stay in the high 30s for the weekend with rain showers.