Publisher’s note: This is one of a series of blurbs about how the lack of winter is impacting businesses in the Lake Tahoe Basin. If you have an idea, please email it to info@LakeTahoeNews.net.

Snow conditions have forced Lake Tahoe Community College to cancel 13 wilderness education classes.

These classes include:

• Nordic Skate Skiing (3)

• Telemark Skiing (4)

• Backcountry Skiing (2)

• American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) Avalanche certification classes (4).

Between the 13 courses there were 204 enrollments. This equates to 4.6 full-time equivalent students. FTEs are in large part how LTCC is funded by the state.

“We are concerned we are losing some part-time students due to the reductions of employees at the ski resorts and local hotels and restaurants. This is very hard to prove, but we do see a drop (in students) when the snow is not good. Two years ago we saw a drop in students when the ski resorts started laying off,” LTCC President Kindred Murillo told Lake Tahoe News.

Community Education’s Nordic track opened briefly when snow first fell in the basin. It has since been shut down until conditions change. Thirty people purchased season passes.

“LTCC remains optimistic and focused to helping the local community continue to revitalize its economy, even during these difficult unsnow times. We believe we have to have the conversation that asks the question ‘How does LTCC have to change in order to prosper with global warming and the changes to the alpine climates?’ Our answer – destination college,” Murillo said.