SANDPOINT - Its million-dollar snowmaking machine is working overtime, but a lack of natural snow is keeping Schweitzer Mountain Resort relatively dry and empty.

With only a dusting of snow at the village and approximately a foot on top, the mountain is well short of the 18 to 36 inches of uniform snowfall it needs to ensure a safe opening, said communications manager Jennifer Ekstrom.

While resort officials would have loved to be open by Thanksgiving, Ekstrom said a slightly later opening day is normal.

Historically, late November openings only occur 25 percent of the time. Fifty percent of the time the resort opens by the first week in December, and mid-to-late December openings account for the remaining 25 percent.

Snow has been is short supply, but cold weather has enabled the resort to utilize its new snowmaking machines on the lower portion of the mountain.

The snowmaking equipment, which pulls water from newly-drilled wells, consists of eight to 10 fully automated snowmaking guns and 23 water hydrants placed on the Midway run from the top of the Basin Express high-speed quad to the village.

"They're working great," Ekstrom said of the approximately $1.4 million machines. "We're focusing on the lower slope to try to get something open as soon as possible. As soon as we're open on the lower slope, we'll move our snowmaking operation onto the new system on midway run."

Man-made snow will suffice if it has to, but Ekstrom said resort employees are anxious for a storm to sweep into town and kick start winter.

"We're watching the forecast very closely and hoping that these upcoming storms pan out to be a good base for us on the upper part of the mountain," Ekstrom said.

Without a guaranteed opening day, the resort was forced to postpone its annual "A Day for Heather" event, which raises money for Sandpoint's Community Cancer Services. Originally scheduled for Dec. 12, the benefit has been moved to March 27.