Sierra Winter Storm | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Monday, March 23, 2009

Sierra Summit, CA Without chains cars and trucks along highway 168 traveling up into the Sierra mountains literally faced an uphill battle. Those who were lucky enough to remember these road-hugging metal barbs trifled getting them on.

Sam Lee from San Francisco and his friends had to conquer these chains before the could conquer the slopes.

"The camaraderie with putting them on and the whole experience, freezing out here, getting your hands dirty, we're still friends," Lee said with a laugh.

Waiting for these friends up the hill is Sierra Summit's Boomer DeVaurs.

He says lift sales were off by 300 people Sunday because of the bad road conditions but claims it won't put a dent in the operations budget.

Mid-week has been off but nothing major," said DeVaurs.

This winter storm has passed creating great skiing conditions here at sierra summit but once the snow melts it will provide an even greater benefit the this bone-dry central valley.

DeVaurs: "Every bit of snow we can get now is certainly going to help the agriculture in the Valley and the local economy too."

While the Valley eagerly waits for its share of nature's water-cooler Shaver Lake's coffee and deli owner Norman Kato said this white stuff brings more of the green into his store. "Hopefully this will get everybody's attention again and get everybody back up the hill here," he said.

Other local businesses hope for several more good snow storms. Sierra Summit Resort officials said bad weather one day means perfect powder the next.