(NECN: Amy Sinclair) - The lack of white stuff forced most of Maine's smaller ski areas, including Mt. Abram in Greenwood, Maine to wave the white flag early this year.
But just 15 minutes away, Sunday River is still a winter wonderland.
Fifty snow guns blowing 24 hours a day are helping to salvage this snow-starved season.
"It's been a challenging year for sure," said Nick Lambert, Vice President of Marketing at Sunday River. "We're lucky we have a snowmaking system to cover enough of our terrain."
By breaking out the big guns in late March, which they've never done before, Maine's big three ski resorts - Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Saddleback - have more more trails open than the rest of New England combined.
If you haven't put your skis into storage yet, there are definitely advantages to skiing now. For one thing, you can park right next to the lodge, and for another, there are no lift lines to speak of.
As for the ski conditions themselves, while man-made snow will never compare to 6 inches of freshly fallen powder, most skiers agree that it's better than nothing.
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Local businesses in Bethel, Maine that benefit from snow-gun generated commerce couldn't agree more.
In fact, next week, some 4,000 British school students will come to the area for vacation - and they didn't have to cancel thanks to snow making.
Sure, everyone in Snow Country would love to see a few big snow storms, but if that doesn't happen, they've got the big guns - and they're not afraid to use them.
