FISH CREEK, WI -- This latest round of snow in Wisconsin couldn't have come too soon for the businesses that need it most.
But did it come fast enough to save what some businesses call the two most important weeks of winter?
For many Door County shops, and hotels, coming into Christmas this year with no snow was worrisome. The lack of snow this time last Christmas even led to some empty rooms, and canceled reservations.
At Nor Door Sport & Cyclery, in Fish Creek, manager Brian Tourmo knows what families and friends that book rooms over the holidays are here for.
"Cross country skis, snowshoes," lists Tourmo, along with other items his store rents and sells during winter months, "and tubes for the sledding hill when it's open."
And places, like Peninsula State Park across the street, fill up with people from as far as Chicago.
"We're excited because we have no snow by us," says Hollis Hahn, of Chicago, eager to hit the nordic ski trails Sunday.
"Without this last snowfall, they would've been stuck inside looking for something to do," says Tourmo, thankful they saw snow when they finally did.
Tourmo says having no real snow by Christmas for a second year came with real concerns.
"If you don't have snow over this holiday week or two, you lose the majority of your winter business," says Tourmo.
Since the major snowstorm six days ago, Tourmo says they've been playing serious catch-up--including their fat tire bike rentals.
"Actually, all six are out, and I had rented four of them earlier this morning," says Tourmo. "If we would've had snow for the last two weeks, we would've been slammed."
It's a welcome difference from last year, when people canceled plans to visit altogether "because of no snow," says Nicole Constantini, also from Chicago, who adds that they chose not to come to Door Co. last year for that very reason. "And now there's snow, and hopefully in a few more weeks there will be more snow, so we can come back up."
One major winter business--ice fishing--isn't having similar luck in Door County.
Restaurants we spoke with say they expect to take a financial hit at a time when thousands of fisherman are typically heading out on the ice.
