A white christmas does not seem to be in the cards this year. And, that is directly affecting many area businesses.

The relatively mild temperatures are forcing some ski places to hold off on opening to the public. But, golf lovers are finding some benefits to the lack of snow.

Golf carts were being loaded up at Juday Creek Golf Course in Granger, Ind. Some were heading out to the links and perfecting their swing just days before Christmas.

“It seems like its been five or six years since we have been able to be open this late,” said Michelle Wittig, general manager at Juday Creek.

Little snow means golfers can still make their way through the course.

“Monday, I think we had about 55 golfers andthe phone was ringing off the hook,” Wittig said.

But, while green grass means extra business at the golf course, it is a different story at Swiss Valley in Jones, Mich.

“Snow is the word around here,” said Jim Wisseman, general manager at Swiss Valley.

New snowguns are in place, but there is no snow to make.

“We’ve been through about four times where we have lost Christmas all the way,” Wiseman said.

The Swiss Valley reservoir helps create additional snow when temperatures are low enough. It has yet to reach the right temperatures this season.

The management at Swiss Valley would like to see their hills turn white. For now, all they can do is wait.

“We’re paying attention to the weather right now and probably not just one forecast, but about four of them,” marketing director Jamie Stafne said.

The waiting game is running into one of their busiest times of the year.

“We live here because we like winter,” Stafne said. “So, the weather is frustrating.”

But they said that they are ready to make snow as soon as the weather dips.

“We need some teens and some single digit numbers and we can fire up those pumps at of 1800 gallons a minute,” Wiseman said.

Swiss Valley management said that they need thirty hours of preparation time before being ready to fully operate.