RONALD, Wash — Snow is big business for Washington's Cascade Mountain towns. Typically this time of year, it can be hard to snag a table at the eateries near the ski resorts. But it’s a different story with the low snowpack this year-- especially on weekdays.
That's why the estimated three to five inches in the mountains near I-90 Wednesday night were a welcome sight for locals. Outdoor enthusiasts, they said, tend to go where the snow goes.
"It's awesome. If there’s lots of snow, it’s great, we can stay busy," said Rowdy Sargeson, who manages the bar at The Old #3 in Ronald, a small town in Kittitas County.
You may have heard of a rainy-day fund. In the Cascades, the locals instead have a low-snowpack fund.
"Probably the least amount of snow we’ve had in quite a few years," said Sargeson. "You save throughout the year so it's just, you know these times can come for sure."
When your money’s at the mercy of Mother Nature, snow matters.
"It's a lot slower, we have a lot less snowmobilers when it's this little of snow," said Sargeson. "Right now there’s not very much."
Of course, Washington's many ski resorts are a big attraction.
"You get a lot of tourists coming over here, staying at the AirBnBs," said Sargeson.
Summit at Snoqualmie, for example, typically draws the masses this time of year.
But this year, an avalanche control specialist said that overall they’re 20 inches behind the average.
"I feel like we need a lot more than that but it's nice to have somethin'," said Sargeson.
Even though the snowpack is low, at The Old #3 in Ronald, their spirits are staying high.
"We still have a lot of fun," said Sargeson.
John Stimberis told KING 5 the snow has been quite icy lately, but that the expected snow could lead to softer skiing and snowboarding conditions on the slopes this holiday weekend.