There are winners and losers when winter weather hits.

Some examples:BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT: Barb Green, owner, said business should continue to thrive. On Tuesday, she said, "The diehard skiers will be out here, the people that don't mind driving in snow. (Today) there will be a lot of people taking off from work."Green added, "It looks like the weather is cooperating this winter. Mother nature is being good to us this year."ATHLETIC DIRECTORS: Area athletic directors have been pretty busy lately postponing and rescheduling events due to the weather.Northern Lehigh Athletic Director Brian Geist, who also serves as Colonial League Vice President, said the No. 1 priority when bad weather hits is the safety of not only the athletes, but the fans that travel out to the games."The first thing I do is contact our superintendent and director of support services," Geist added. "Things differ if we're closed, have a delay or an early dismissal."If we're closed or dismiss early, after school activities have to be addressed. Then I usually check our four or five weather services before making any decisions."It's especially tricky with out of area wrestling tournaments that might not get the bad weather we're getting. And when I want to reschedule for the weekend, I might not have as many options because of the support service help."Geist admits a lot of pre-planning goes into decisions this time of year and then contacts have to be made with the media, school officials, game help, trainers, coaches and transportation people.On the bright side, however, the Internet and email have been a big help.NURSES WHO HAVE TO WORK:Sue Zern, RN, of Lehighton, said, "I have no problem with it because I am within walking distance of the hospital. I know patients come first and that is my main priority."Lenore Rutman, CNA, of Tamaqua: "When I know the weather is going to be bad, I pack accordingly and stay at the hospital overnight."BUSINESS OWNERS: Mike Danchak, owner of the Angela Theater in Coaldale said last year he was considering closing for January and February, but found that when it's cold, more people actually come to the movies. "We were surprised because business picked up," he said. As a result, there was no closure.The problem is snow. "When there's snow on the ground, we have limited parking," he said.Although more people come when temperatures plotted, the profit margin evaporates because of the cost of heating the building, he noted.Janice Coles, owner of Pet Store Universe in Lehighton, said, "The weather has hurt my business. We're a pet store and I don't think it is a priority for people to come here when the weather is bad." She said people come in advance of a storm for pet food "but they don't come for nonessentials."Being a winner or loser can be a matter of timing, said one respondent."We're a winner prior to the storm," said Tom Pilla, proprietor, Nancy's Fresh Cut Meats in Hometown."That's when everyone comes in for bread and milk. So it averages out."HOPE'S COLLISION AND TOWING: Matt Hope, owner of the Tamaqua business, said heavy call traffic during snowstorms puts him in the winner's category, even if it presents challenges."The volume of calls can be overwhelming," said Hope. "It's tough to meet demand. Already (Tuesday), we're dealing with a heavy tractor trailer stuck on the Blue Mountain, two accidents, and lots of shop work and collision estimates. Plus, the cold weather is bad on the men and equipment."George Moretz Auto Body: George Moretz is the owner/operator of a small auto body shop, George Moretz Auto Body, in Gilbert. Whenever there is bad weather, especially snow storms, it brings him more business."I had one that was hauled in today. He hit a tree and it caused at least $5,000 in damage," he said Tuesday.He had another one that hit a tree and that car was totaled."I'm still fixing cars from the first storm. It certainly does create business for me," he said.His son, Mike Moretz of Gilbert, works as an auto body technician at Young Volkswagen Mazda, Easton."Whenever there is a major storm, you have more accidents. Ever since the first major storm, business picked up and after today, (Tuesday), we're swamped. We try to put off the vehicles that are drivable and work on those that have more extensive damage," he says.Working in a large auto body shop, the technicians work at a flat rate."More work, more money," he says.He adds that one section of the parking lot has cars just waiting for insurance inspectors."We've got lots of work just waiting for us," Mike says.TIMES NEWS CARRIER: Theresa (Rother) Houser of Tamaqua says, "It's really dangerous out here, not just the driving conditions, but walking is even worse. Some people don't bother ever clearing their sidewalks. Then the fresh snow covers a layer of ice. You have to be extra careful. This weather belongs in Canada. It should stay there."SNOW REMOVAL: Tony Fannock, maintenance supervisor for Tamaqua ABC High Rise and independent snow removal contractor, says "It's good for the pocketbook, but not so good for having any free time. It seems like one snow storm after another. There's no real break between storms. I was out all day Saturday and now I'll be out for hours again."And some independent shovelers in Palmerton: Max Bertalan, 16, said, "Thank God we're out (of school)."Michael Muniz, 16 said, "It's good to make money," while his friend Zach Laubach, 15 said, "It's good to be helping people out."MOM: Jennifer Sterner of Jim Thorpe: "There are more negatives about winter than positives for me. The biggest negative over the past ten years has been the increase in home heating oil, for this reason alone I dislike winter. The only upside to a snow or ice day is that I have more time to spend with my children."STUDENT JOB COACH with CLIU 21: Geralyn Scarpati of Jim Thorpe, "I have off summers ... so by having off all of these school days leaves for a shorter summer. I have been doing a lot of traveling the past three years and I enjoy my summer time off. I am also a winner because my brand new car got hit and I am using a loaner car through all the salt and cinders."