Travelers headed to SoCal mountain destinations in droves this week after a storm dumped fresh snow on resorts, and local business owners welcomed them with open arms after years of dry winters.
Mountain roads have been packed with people as wintertime revelers head out to enjoy the fresh snow. On SR 243 Thursday, just about every turnout with snow and enough place to park was packed with families stopping to get in a sled run and take a few pictures.
"We get to come up here with the sleds we got for Christmas and slide down in the snow," said Angela Byrem, who traveled from Hemet.
After sledding, many of the tourists were headed to the nearby town of Idyllwild, where local businesses welcomed them with open arms.
The Red Kettle restaurant was packed with tourists - a welcome sight after a lack of snow kept tourists away last year.
SOT ashley stewart red kettle manager 18:22:15 "It definitely helped with this winter. A lot more people up here," said Ashley Stewart, manager of the Red Kettle. “We did have a busy Christmas. Everyone wanted the snow."
The same can be said at Mt. Baldy, which has been a popular destination for SoCal locals.
"It's nice to come here and not all the way to Big Bear," said Gabriela Jimenez of La Puente.
And local business owners, who struggled last year when the slopes were only covered in snow a few times, are excited to see them.
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Libbi Shorts, who owns Mt. Baldy Artisan loft, said she nearly had to close her doors because business was so bad last year.
"My story for last year is that I sold two sleds all season and one got returned," Shorts said.
Now, though, with all the snow, she’s hoping her financial problems will be over.
"And I'm going ‘wow’, when we actually have weather, this is a good little business to be in," she said.
