REGINA — Saskatchewan ski hills operators are reminding folks that the resorts remain open.
Anders Svenson, manager at Mission Ridge Winter Park, said the warmer weather melting snow causes people to assume ski hills are closed.
“That’s always a challenge for us, but once folks get out here, they see real quick and still pretty good base and still tons of fun to have.”
Dave Cashmore, outside operations manager at Table Mountain Ski Resort, said there has also been uncertainty with the public about their facility being opened.
“We get numerous phone calls a day asking if we still have snow [and] what the conditions are like.”
Svenson noted the prairies don’t have a huge ski culture.
“It’s definitely a bit more of a challenge to get the word out there to those who maybe aren’t familiar with our capacities and our technologies here to be able to make snow and keep really good conditions throughout the season.”
Cashmore described it as a “catch-22” when dealing with warmer temperatures and melting snow.
“People don’t realize how much effort is made in making snow and how much snow we actually have out here to remain open.
Uncertainty about ski resorts remaining open has led to unchanged attendance, but Svenson said people are staying for longer periods.
“It’s a lot more fun being out skiing at 2 C or 3 C than it is in – 30 C.”
Cashmore noted he’s seen skiers go for multiple runs before having to head back inside.
“It’s been nice to see people taking advantage of the weather.”
With students out of school in some regions and Family Day approaching, ski resorts anticipate an increase in visitors.
