backyard syndrome
n.— «The early-March snowstorm that creamed the Eastern seaboard largely missed Vermont’s big skiing areas. But resort operators were delighted nevertheless, because the storm whetted the appetite of all those coastal skiers. The industry calls it the “backyard syndrome,” and it can either feed or starve the sport in a given year. The backyard syndrome stipulates that if you can’t see snow in your backyard, you won’t think of going skiing, whatever the economy.» —“America’s Ski Resorts: Saved by the Snow” by Sean Gregory Time Mar. 4, 2009. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
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