Most years, the first big dump of snow, like an analgesic balm, relieves anxieties about whether the upcoming winter's tourism will boom or bust.

But although this week's gift from the snow gods was generous, tensions among Park City merchants over the condition of travelers' pocketbooks are still running high.

"It's going to be an interesting winter," observed Mike Lindbloom from behind the grill at the Main Street Deli.

He has seen it all in 24 years as proprietor of the deli - dry snow years and economic recessions - but Lindbloom is unsure what the current financial tumult portends for the ski season, which opens Nov. 22 at Park City Mountain Resort.

"There are a lot of people on this street who are nervous."

Large operations, such as ski resorts and chain stores, can weather a bad season much better than Park City's smaller shops, many of which are owner-operated.

For them, the pre-season jitters surrounds this question: If tourists do show up, will they spend money like they usually do?

The big storm and the lake effect that dropped two feet of Utah's famous powder in the Wasatch Mountains on Wednesday was a good start. The hope is that an abundance of snow will trump financial worries.

Raette Belcher, across Main Street at Southwest Indian Traders, believes that folks in upper income brackets and those with second homes in Park City will materialize - even without a resolution to the national credit crisis.

"To an extent, I am nervous," she conceded. "But I'm a very positive person. I think we're going to have a good winter."

Veteran Main Street merchants, like Jane Schaffner of La Niche, a specialty home-accessories shop, have learned to soldier through no matter what.

"Mother Nature and the economy - you can't do a thing about either one," she said.

As word gets out that Utah has snow, Schaffner hopes would-be ski tourists will book reservations.

On the other hand, she recognizes the difficult financial straits faced by people in Florida and California - traditionally home to many of Park City's winter visitors.

"The confidence level in the economy is low. Even if you're not in the [stock] market, it's unsettling."

Down on Park Avenue, at Jan's Mountain Outfitters, Jack Walzer, like other merchants, is remaining resolute.

"It's hard to predict," he said. "The numbers [of reservations] through December are encouraging. Nobody knows what's going to happen after that."

People who love to ski will find a way to make it to the slopes, Walzer said. "Whether they buy new skis or go out to dinner, I don't know."

So Walzer, who is the general manager at Jan's, is watching expenditures more closely than ever. And that includes staffing. If business is down, he will have fewer employees - a tough reality for everybody in town.

"I'm not expecting any record numbers," he said. "But I'm confident; if it snows, it'll be OK."

csmart@sltrib.com