Skiers hopeful as snow hits Southtowns

For many people in the Southtowns, waking up this morning revealed something they have not seen in quite a while - a real layer of snow.

While only a small amount fell in the Town of Hamburg, it was still enough for people to brush off cars and keep plows busy.

However, a few miles further south in Colden, Concord and Springville, heavy lake effect snow dropped several inches and created near white-out conditions.

The snowfall is great news for the local ski industry which had one its worst years last winter.

"Having a Christmas season can be a real game-changer for the industry," said Andrew Minier from Kissing Bridge.

Phones are ringing off the hook at Kissing Bridge as skiers call to find out if there is enough snow for the slopes to open.

"What we are anticipating is that the current forecast will sustain a opening around December 16th, possibly earlier, if we get more natural snow," said Minier, who explained that it needs to be a few degrees colder so the snowmaking guns can be turned on.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly shows us more in his reports.