Southern Oregon resort suffering because of lack of snow

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A lack of snow is hurting business at a southern Oregon resort, forcing cutbacks and layoffs.

The Diamond Lake Resort is used to seeing a throng of visitors at this time of year looking to enjoy snow sports or a just a casual snowball fight, the News-Review reported .

This year is different, said John Jonesburg, the resort’s marketing and events co-ordinator. He said he has never seen business so slow in his 28 years of working at the resort.

Jonesburg estimates that the amount of visitors, revenue and business is down by 60 per cent this year. Outside the difference is visible with pansies are already blooming in places where snow should be.

The lack of snow has led the resort to shut down some of its operations and lay off more than half of its winter staff. They tried to keep its snow tubing hill open, but gave up once costs became too much, Jonesburg said.

Cat skiing at Mount Bailey remains closed and snowmobiling from the snow-less lake level is not possible. Ice fishing may not be possible this season since Diamond Lake was briefly frozen during the holiday season, but has since thawed.

The resort is hoping predictions of snow for Thursday afternoon through next Monday by the National Weather Service will come through.

“We need a lot of snow to get things open again,” Jonesburg said.

Despite the current snow shortfall, the resort is still inviting guests to come enjoy hiking trails and fishing.

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Information from: The News-Review, http://www.nrtoday.com