TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — With a very warm winter so far of above-average temperatures and dry conditions, Mt. Lemmon has seen very little snowfall.
Mt. Lemmon is a very common winter escape for many across Southern Arizona and Sonora, who travel up the mountain to experience snow and escape the much warmer weather and desert landscape.
Isabella speaks with local businesses on Mt. Lemmon to discuss the warmer winter.
For some businesses on Mt. Lemmon, they rely on the busy winter season to get them through the slower months. However, with little snow so far this winter, tourism, and traffic to Mt. Lemmon are lacking compared to other winters.
Grey Carpenter, the owner of the Mt. Lemmon General Store, tells News 4 Tucson his business has seen a loss in revenue this winter so far.
“We’re anywhere 20-30% down since last year. That’s a big deal as we depend on that to get us through the slower times of the year,” said Carpenter.
Justin Hafner, the owner of Mt. Lemmon Hotel, also says he’s seen a loss in business this winter.
“You know business across the board is down this winter for all businesses up there, and it is directly tied to the snow. I know for the restaurants and stores, all their numbers are down pretty significantly as well,” explained Hafner.
Both Hafner and Carpenter are hopeful it will snow more before winter ends.
Sometimes we get our best storms in February so our fingers are crossed we’ll get that. We’ll see what happens!” Said Carpenter.
