The reigning world champion in aerials skiing is also a restaurant owner in Park City, and business at his hotpot eatery increases by more than 100 percent when nearby ski resorts are open.
So, when winters grow warmer and ski season starts later — Park City, and Vail in Colorado are among the Western resorts to push back openings by about a week in each of the past two years — not only does it affect Lillis' ability to train and, as is the case this year, prepare for the Winter Olympics, it also affects the bottom line at his business.