What a Difference a Year Makes: Snow fighters review last season and prepare for next season's challenges

摘要

Thriving in the snow industry takes a strong stomach and steely reserve. After the 2011 -12 season's snow drought across much of the country, winter came roaring back ready to show who was boss. Multiple blizzards hammered the Northeast, fresh off thedevastation of Hurricane Sandy. The Denver area, which hadn't seen significant snow in four seasons, was still getting snow in mid-April, and markets like Kansas City, Mo., where snow doesn't come calling much, saw multiple events. And, yet, there is norest for the weary. As May rolls around, planning for next season should already be underway. Having the experiences of the winter fresh in your minds and the minds of your customers can be a blessing and a curse. It can allow you to review the season'ssuccess and shortcomings before they are forgotten in the summer heat. But, it can also drive snow contractors (and their customers) to make decisions based on the emotion of the winter. And those knee-jerk reactions can prove devastating to a snow business.