No snow, mild temps giving some Ottawa businesses the chills

Bing Crosby's not the only one dreaming of a white Christmas. Ottawa businesses that depend on snow are also wishing for a frosty coating this yuletide season.

The region has yet to see either a significant snowfall or a sustained cold stretch, even thoughthe advent calendars are well into theChristmas countdown.

Theunseasonably warm weather is making some businesses nervous.

Eric Kunstadt, president of Kunstadt Sports, says the weather has put a "slowdown" on the ski business.

"We're not panicking yet. We'll be panicking most likely on Boxing Day," said the speciality sports store owner. "That's the most critical point ... We do need themargins to pay the staff, pay the rent."

Kunstadt said after last year's "excellent" winter, he ordered extra ski gear and clothing which is now just sitting in stock.

If it was colder you wouldn't be getting this same discount.- Eric Kunstadt, president of Kunstadt Sports

He's decided to sell most of it at a discount.

"It's a very short season for the ski business and we don't have much opportunity to sell at full price. This is what we count on at this time of the year," he said. "If it was colder you wouldn't be getting this same discount."

Ski hill slump

Ski hills are also experiencing a dry spell.

Frank Bernier, director of sports services at Camp Fortune, says so far onlydiehard skiers have come out to test the few runs that are open.

"Everyyear there's a beginning that seems slow, we're all champing at the bit to get going. This year is a little bit slower. The weather has been challenging," he said.

While the temperature has dropped enough to allowski hill workers tomake some artificial snow, Bernier said it's easier at 20 C.

"Mild snow is expensive snow," hesaid.

Green Christmas?

Rolf Campbell is the man behind the popular Ottawa Twitter account@YOW_Weather. The statistics hobbyistsays the last time Ottawa saw a start to winter this green was in 1899. If Tuesday passes with no snow, that record will have been shattered.

Campbell said it's hard to forecast that type of thing, but "if you were a betting man this is the type of year you'd expect to have a green Christmas in."

He saidthis year's powerful ElNinois going to be a factor.

Campbell said while Dec. 21 is technically the first day of winter, "if you've grown up in Ottawa you know winter starts when the snow falls or when it gets cold."