A lack of snow is keeping skiers and snowboarders away from Mammoth Mountain, Lake Tahoe and other winter sports hot spots. But the season is still young, and resort operators are optimistic that snow will come.
Months ago, Santa Monica filmmaker Francis De La Torre and his wife booked a vacation home in Lake Tahoe over Christmas week. They were looking forward to days of skiing and snowboarding in fresh, plush powder — conditions they can’t count on closer to home.
But all they found  … Video and more