In the news item re: Kottke 2011-12 is aptly compared to 1980-81. Through mid-January these seasons were similar and only 1976-77 was worse for snow. For the entire season 2011-12 will not look so bad for snow because half of North America's ski regions had average or better snow in the second half of the season. But in terms of impact on visitation, the early season is what is most important.