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Mt. Waterman waits for snow, promises to accept 2012 Groupon vouchers

Mt. Waterman hasn't received enough snow yet to open for the season. Above, skiers and snowboarders arrive in 2011.
(Raul Roa / Staff Photographer)
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Snow fell on the Southland Thursday night, but it was not enough to open a local ski resort.

Mt. Waterman, located about 34 miles north of La Cañada Flintridge, needs at least two feet of snow to drop. On Friday, the hill had about 6-8 inches.

The resort never received enough snow to open last winter season. Owners are hoping that a cold front from Canada will blanket the region this weekend.

“The storms are coming,” said Beth Metcalf, the resort’s ticket sales manager. “We need at least two feet, if not more. We’re just hoping and praying.”

The resort sold several Groupon tickets last year, leading to a slew of complaints on the resort’s Facebook page from disgruntled residents who couldn’t hit the slopes in December.

Metcalf said that all Groupon vouchers sold last year will be valid when the hill opens.

Metcalf’s older brothers, Rick and Brien Metcalf, co-own the resort with fellow La Cañada High School graduates Roberto Martinez and Craig Stewart.

Mt. Waterman doesn’t import any man-made snow, so local skiers and snowboarders must rely on the weather.

Metcalf said the snow they received was scattered, with some rocks still showing, but she remains optimistic that a storm will hit soon. “We’re always positive on the hill, no matter what.”

-- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News

Follow Tiffany Kelly on Google+ and on Twitter: @LATiffanyKelly.

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