Weather has a tremendous impact on the winter sports industry and many scientists argue that it also has an effect on your mood. While evidence suggests sunlight and rain can influence your energy levels, not a lot of research exists that explains the phenomenon known as backyard syndrome.

Few have heard the term, but most skiers and snowboarders have struggled finding motivation to load up and head for the hills when their backyard looks greener than a golf course. Who could blame us though? Ski resorts have struggled with this problem long before a name was given to it, however, recent technology has provided the winter sports industry with a new solution to this lingering problem.

Snow reports are great for providing riders with details like snow base, recently received snow and the chairlifts currently operating. Where snow reports fall short is in their visual demonstration of the current conditions. A resort’s website might list their current snow base at 30 inches, but what does that really explain?

Communicating conditions through text forces the rider to create their own representation. This results in the rider seeking out additional cues to provide them with the information necessary to visualize the conditions outside. Peaking through a window, the rider notices a strong disproportion between the snow and the grass that’s visible. At this moment, hope is diminished and the rider is left under the impression that their backyard accurately depicts the current skiing conditions.

In order to convince skiers and snowboarders that their efforts will be rewarded upon their arrival, ski resorts must find a way to provide a more accurate representation of their existing conditions. Innovations in technology have presented the opportunity for resorts to install “live webcams” as a method to showcase the snow sprinkled across their slopes.

Webcams are the solution desperately needed to combat this industry wide challenge. It’s understandable that a week of sunshine and warm temperatures have got you thinking about the Spring rather than your skis. Winter sports enthusiasts, the season is not over. Several ski resorts throughout the state still boast bases of 50 plus inches. If that’s not something to get excited about, take the time to check out our list of ski resorts utilizing webcams and see the snow for yourself!

 

Michigan Ski Resorts with Webcams

Alpine Valley

Big Powderhorn

Big Snow

Bittersweet

Boyne Highlands

Boyne Mountain 

Caberfae Peaks

Cannonsburg

Crystal Mountain 

Marquette Mountain

Mt. Brighton

Mt. Holly

Mulligan’s Hollow 

Nubs Nob 

Otsego Club 

Pine Knob 

Shanty Creek 

Snow Snake 

Treetops