More snow means Manitoba ski hill could reopen, management says
The last blast of winter and snow in spring is causing frustration for ski hills and golf courses in Manitoba.
Stony Mountain Ski Area shut down for the season on Friday, the earliest closure ever, according to owner Heather Campbell-Doer. Now that there is more snow in the forecast, Campbell-Doer is wondering if the closure was too soon — and if they should reopen.
"We are going to watch what the weather is like this week, especially with how much snow we get and how much interest there is," said Campbell-Doer. "Probably by Thursday we will decide whether or not we are going to have an encore performance for the weekend or not."
The ski hill has been open since 1966. The Campbell-Doers have owned it since 1988.
Campbell-Doer said it wouldn't take a lot of work to get the ski slopes open again.
"It would mean pushing snow to the bare spots... Or it may mean we have to make some."
She doesn't know if people have already been consumed by the golfing and skateboarding mindset or if they are ready for another kick at winter sports.
- VIDEO: Manitoba snowboarders, skiers make a splash at Slush Cup
Campbell-Doer admitted it's frustrating because it has been a bad winter for skiing. She said they had to close for a weekend in February because it was too cold. The cold snap meant fewer people on the slopes.
Then she said the lack of snow over the last week and a half meant the earliest shutdown in the slope's 27-year history. They usually close down in the first week of April.
In stark contrast to this year's early spring, Campbell-Doer said the hill was open April 21 in 1997 following a blizzard.
She also said business was 35 per cent lower in 2014 than in 2013. As for losses this year, while she wouldn't give any figures, she said she is glad her husband hasn't quit his day job.
Golf greens turned white
Over at Shooters Family Golf Centre, Sue Cerasani is pushing snow around the course so it will melt quicker.
"We woke up today, and thought, 'yeah, it's going to be a couple of days setback,' said Cerasani.
She said the course opened earlier than usual this year: March 14 for the driving range and golfers were teeing off on the course on March 19.
She said while the snow on Monday is a setback, the fact the course was already open for a week in March is way ahead of last year.
"Any opening days that we have in March is a great bonus for us," said Cerasani.
At this time a year ago, Cerasani said the course was covered with four to five feet of snow.
