BLOWING ROCK, N.C. – The powder is fresh on Appalachian Ski Mountain and the recent weather has helped attract skiers, but with an uncertain economy, some wonder if the momentum will hold up all season.

Brad Mortez, the mountain’s general manager, said the winter weather has helped Appalachian Ski Mountain make both money and snow.

"It's what you expect to see in Colorado, not North Carolina", Mortez said. "This is unequalled in the history of skiing in the Southeast."

So far, they've spent one hundred and twenty hours putting out powder.

"I can see places where we have ten to fifteen feet, an unbelievable amount of snow at the ski area now," Mortez said.

But the economy may play a role in how the business does for the rest of the season.

"I think the economy does make people a little hesitant to spend money," skier Duncan Triebert said. "It might affect the number of people coming out."

Snowboarder Phil Armstrong said he disagrees.

"This is one of those ways you can spoil yourself for a day and hang out with your kids," he said.

Skiers taking advantage of the early winter weather are also taking advantage of the early season's lower rates.

"I think some people will actually spend money because it's what they love to do," snowboarder Zach Hurst said. "It depends on how they feel about their money and how they are doing in the economy."

But Moretz said he is holding out hope for a record season.
"A lot of the people who didn't make trips this summer will say, ‘Hey, let's go skiing,’" Mortez said.

Right now there's no telling if or how the economy will leave its mark.