OTSEGO, Mich. — It's not usually quiet at the end of December at Bittersweet Ski Resort in Otsego, and office manager Jill Herrick isn't usually walking around in a dirt and snow mix.
"Due to the warm temperatures and rain, we were forced to close," said Herrick. "And we haven't been able to open since."
Just days before New Years Eve, during the industry's busiest time of year, patches of brown grass are scattered on the little snow Bittersweet has been able to make.
Ski lifts have been brought to a halt.
And employees of the resort haven't much to do at the moment.
"We're used to having more hustle and bustle around here and everybody being in the holiday spirit and enjoying themselves," said Herrick. "So it is a little sad to not have that this Christmas."
For Herrick, this is one of the more warmer winters they've had to deal with in recent years.
They have plans to host a New Year's Eve party filled with skiing, snowboarding, and fireworks.
However, if things don't get better soon, they may have to cancel that as well.
"We just don't know if we're gonna get 20 degrees for two nights and we might be able to open a couple of runs and we would if we could," said Herrick.
For those wanting to try their hand at Luge or other snow-required activities, they'll have to wait a little bit longer at Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park.
"We don't have snow that we can open up our ice skating rink yet, we don't have snow to groom ski trails, or snow for the snowshoeing trails," said Dan Bonner, outdoor adventure specialist. "Then we also a big thing is we can't build our luge track yet. So it's definitely a struggle."
However, the park has found other ways to get families outside and enjoy Muskegon.
"While we're waiting on winter, we have a 1,400 ft. zipline, the longest dual zipline in Michigan," said Bonner. "We also just installed a "glice" rink. It's synthetic ice, so you can ice skate even when we don't have freezing cold conditions. Then, we're out here right now for our hike the lights event, which is a free event for the community. We turn our ski trail lights on, and there's over three and a half miles of lighted trails."
Waiting on winter, a sentiment felt all across West Michigan for those who depend on mother nature.
"Winter is on its way," said Bonner. "It always comes. You know, it's just making the best of what we have right now."
"We're going to remain optimistic about January," said Herrick. "There will be skiing, there always is."
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.