Winter Wonderland Shuts Down Alpine
By: Matthew Farrell
Updated: January 3, 2013
ALPINE -- While most people were enjoying the winter storm in Alpine Thursday, it was causing headaches for some travelers.
Some of the hardest snowfall of Thursday's storm came down in Alpine, and residents were are loving it.
"It reminds me of my childhood," said Alpine native Audrey Henry. "I remember playing in the snow and this is great."
"I don't usually get to see snow," added Mars Gutierrez, who was visiting Alpine. "So this is pretty cool."
The snow also caused problems for some people that work in the area.
"We had to shut down our mine just south of Marfa because of all the snow," said Don Edwards.
However, those who work for a ski resort say the snow is good business.
"Our mountain was about 9 percent open," said Alpine resident Joey Dihar, who works at Ski Apache in Mescalero, NM. "With the snow, it's doubled."
The snow wasn't all fun and games, though.
TXDOT was working around the clock to prepare roads -- starting on Wednesday morning.
TXDOT crews continued working throughout the night Thursday to keep roads clear.
TXDOT even brought in some help from Lubbock to help with the cleanup.
However, even with equipment in place, TXDOT had to close Interstate 10 west of Fort Stockton and Interstate 20 west of Monahans through the evening hours due to heavy snowfall.
The hazardous travel has helped one Alpine business.
The Holland Hotel in Alpine was housing some of those travelers who did not want to risk crossing snowy roads on Thursday.
"We've seen some of the people here extend their reservations, because they don't want to travel," said Holland Hotel/restaurant manager Donavan Sanchez.
Headache or nightmare, the snow is certainly an uncommon sight lately in Southwest Texas, but it sounds like most people are enjoying it.
Up to 10 inches of snow is expected in Alpine through Friday.
Some of the hardest snowfall of Thursday's storm came down in Alpine, and residents were are loving it.
"It reminds me of my childhood," said Alpine native Audrey Henry. "I remember playing in the snow and this is great."
"I don't usually get to see snow," added Mars Gutierrez, who was visiting Alpine. "So this is pretty cool."
The snow also caused problems for some people that work in the area.
"We had to shut down our mine just south of Marfa because of all the snow," said Don Edwards.
However, those who work for a ski resort say the snow is good business.
"Our mountain was about 9 percent open," said Alpine resident Joey Dihar, who works at Ski Apache in Mescalero, NM. "With the snow, it's doubled."
The snow wasn't all fun and games, though.
TXDOT was working around the clock to prepare roads -- starting on Wednesday morning.
TXDOT crews continued working throughout the night Thursday to keep roads clear.
TXDOT even brought in some help from Lubbock to help with the cleanup.
However, even with equipment in place, TXDOT had to close Interstate 10 west of Fort Stockton and Interstate 20 west of Monahans through the evening hours due to heavy snowfall.
The hazardous travel has helped one Alpine business.
The Holland Hotel in Alpine was housing some of those travelers who did not want to risk crossing snowy roads on Thursday.
"We've seen some of the people here extend their reservations, because they don't want to travel," said Holland Hotel/restaurant manager Donavan Sanchez.
Headache or nightmare, the snow is certainly an uncommon sight lately in Southwest Texas, but it sounds like most people are enjoying it.
Up to 10 inches of snow is expected in Alpine through Friday.
