Last week’s four-day-long winter storm brought a great deal of snow to the mountaintop region, with snowfall levels as low as 3,000 feet and overnight temperatures plummeting to as low as 24 degrees in Crestline, resulting in numerous snow and ice-related traffic collisions and vehicles stuck in snow.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Ryan Kittel reported that there is still a chance for more showers in March and April, but that the region’s water supply would likely be well below normal this year. Snow Valley Mountain Resort reported up to two feet of new snow, from Tuesday, March 9 through Saturday, March 13.

Running Springs resident Daniel Williams took advantage of the weather conditions last Saturday to go snowboarding at Snow Valley, where he said it was a little foggy, but the snow conditions were excellent and the six-person ski lift only took a few minutes to get to the top. “It was good to go out with friends again; the camaraderie was great.”

The families at Lake Gregory were mostly with small children under the age of 10, just enjoying the sunshine and 40-degree temperature and soft, white snow. The terrain determined what they were doing.

A family from Glendale with three little girls liked the spot they had chosen because they were the only ones there and it was near a trail, separated by the trail railing. “We chose to be here because it was a safe place for the girls and they’ve never seen snow before. They had a small drinking cup and were playing with the snow like they were building a sand castles at the beach,” said their Dad. “This is fun,” exclaimed the girls, in unison.

Meanwhile, a local family, headed by a 2003 Rim High School grad, was over at the dog park. Dad had brought along a neighbor friend with his three small daughters and a son. They were using the slope there to sled down and were laughing while they avoided the trees as they headed toward the lakeshore.

“I like making snow angels like the ones I made at my house,” said one of the girls. The smiling Dad said his whole yard was filled with snow angels. “Our yard is flat so we came here to do some sledding,” he said.