New York's ski center operators welcome return of cold, snow

On Tuesday, the mountain opened seven of 11 lifts for skiers and snowboarders, who could glide down packed powder on 14 of 80 trails.

Whiteface has pushed 50 percent discounts on online ticket purchases and buy one, get one free lift tickets after warm December temperatures broke records.

Promotions, outreach to a wide customer database and a social media blitz are part of the puzzle to woo casual New York skiers to ORDA's mountains, Lundin said.

Whiteface, for example, posted a "snow dance" video to its YouTube channel in which jacketless snowboarders, bartenders and children boogied to "Let It Snow" in a 30-second clip.

Posting photos to Hunter Mountain's website and social media feeds tells skiers and riders that there is snow in Greene County even though it is not in their backyards, said Gerry Tschinkel, vice president of sales and marketing.

The mountain will start snowmaking as soon as the temperature drops, she said, and deals and packages for customers will be available then, too.