Despite a below-normal level of snowfall, it has been business as usual this season for the Tussey Mountain Ski Area and local ski shops.

Normal snowfall for the State College area between the months of November and January is about 21.9 inches, said Jonathan Merritt of the University's Weather Observatory. This year the area has received about 10.1 inches, Merritt said.

"It started out cold in the first part of December. Then the latter part of December and January has been unseasonably warm," he said.

Sue Matalavoge, marketing manager at Tussey, said its business has not been seriously affected by the mild winter. Many students come out on Mondays and Tuesdays to take advantage of specials, she said.

Many University students also use Tussey for physical education classes, Matalavoge added.

"As far as day business goes, it's been a little slow, but at night it really picks up," she said.

Ron Gauthier, manager of the Blue Knob Ski Area in Altoona, said the lack of snow has made the season a little slower. Gauthier said having some snow on the ground would definitely help attract more skiers.

"People walk around thinking it's spring. They don't think about skiing --they think about water-skiing," he said.

Geoff Brugeler, owner of Appalachian Outdoors, 324 W. College Ave., said 1988 was his best year ever for sales in general, and his best week was between Christmas and New Year's. Brugeler said the last two weeks have been a little slow, due to the combined effect of the holiday season being over and the lack of snow on the ground.

Six or eight inches of snow would really help business, Brugeler said.

"The worse the weather is the busier we are. We've been open on days when everything else has been closed. I've had to ski out the back door to get to the parking lot," he said.

Brugeler said many people do not realize that the key to good skiing in Pennsylvania is not so much snow as just cold weather. Snow-making machines will provide the snow, he said.

"Right now it's a really pivotal time," he said. "If the weather stays below normal during the next few weeks, people may think that this is how the rest of the winter is going to go."

Simon Mears, president of the University ski team, noted his group's use of area ski facilities.

"We had a race up at Tussey this past weekend. They did a pretty good job making snow up there but I would be worried if the temperatures stayed up in the fifties," he said.

"The skiing is really below average. It is especially difficult for some of us trying to learn racing techniques. It's much harder to ski on because it's so icy," said ski team member Brian Premock.

Some students hit the area slopes for more reasons than racing.

Allison Martin (junior-health policy and administration) said, "Even though Tussey Mountain's snow-making isn't as elaborate as the bigger resorts, like the Poconos or Seven Springs, I still had a good time."

Renee McKenna (senior-speech communications) said, "I've skied at resorts in Vermont, New York, New Jersey and the Poconos. Tussey Mountain can't compare with them in size, but I go because it's fun and close by."