Canadian weather creates mixed bag for ski slopes across country

Ski hills in Saskatoon have dealt with fluctuating temperatures so far, but hope the snow storm will benefit skiers and snowboarders. Allison Bamford reports.

Saskatoon’s ski park is hoping to take advantage of a recent blizzard.

An Alberta clipper roared through the province on Wednesday, dumping more than 10 centimetres of snow onto the city.

“The more snow we get falling out of the sky, the less we have to make and pay for. We pay for every drop of water we pump out,” Todd Harms, Optimist Hill’s operations manager, told CTV News ahead of the storm. “It’s a big factor if we get natural snow.”

Although Harms would have liked a big dump of snow to come earlier in the month to help with production, Optimist Hill, an urban ski park in Saskatoon’s south end, was able to open to the public this week.

“Everybody is so happy to be outside enjoying the hill,” Harms said.

Almost all the snow on the hill had to be manufactured. The rest was brought in from parking lots across the city.

“The more snow we get falling out of the sky, the less we have to make and pay for. We pay for every drop of water we pump out,” Harms said. “It’s a big factor if we get natural snow.”

Tom Willms, Optimist Hill’s outside supervisor, is responsible for helping make and push the snow to form the runs. He said progress is a few days behind last year.

“This year has been a yo-yo,” Willms said. “It’s warm one day, cold the next day. It’s hard to really make good, efficient snow.”

Willms is a farmer by trade. He’s used to rolling with the punches thrown by a weather-dependent industry.

He put the final touches on the hill’s tube park earlier this week.

“We’re redesigning the park this year. We want to try to make the run out a little bit different, a little safer,” he said. “I’m excited to see how this all works out.”

They just need the weather to co-operate. A blizzard forced the hill to close on Wednesday, which would have been only their second day of operation this season.

“You look at the weather forecast today and it changes tomorrow. You have to deal with it,” Harms said.

Skiers and snowboarders in other parts of the country have been treated to an early start to the season.

Banff Sunshine Village was the first ski resort to open in Canada this year.

A fresh dump of snow in late October allowed the resort to open Nov. 2, marking its earliest opening on record.

“This year it was really spectacular to have a powder day on our opening day,” said Kendra Scurfield, vice-president of marketing, brand and communications with Banff Sunshine Village.

“As a resort, the sooner we can get skiers and snowboarders on the terrain, it packs it down and it is really good for the base.”

More than 98 per cent of the resort’s snow is natural, according to Scurfield. From a weather standpoint, she says the village is “lucky with its location.”

“We really tend to stay more of an Arctic climate year-round,” she said. “You can expect snow at Sunshine every month of the year. How much? You don’t necessarily know.”

Weather is the common variable and often the common challenge across Canada’s ski industry.

In the Maritimes, a few December snowstorms created perfect conditions for slopes.

“Right now, it looks like mid-February here in Wentworth. It’s by far the best start we’ve had in a long time,” said Kim Adams Tattrie, snow school manager at Ski Wentworth in Nova Scotia.

However, conditions can change on a dime.

“We can get some great snow for a week and then we can get some rain,” Tattrie said. “Unfortunately, it’s always out of our control.”

Research shows the ski industry is facing shortened, more variable seasons due to climate change.

But operators believe earlier starts typically translate to stronger seasons.

“Kids come out with their new ski gear at Christmas, and the vibe just keeps going into the season,” Tattrie said. “They get a couple weeks of skiing before they go back to school. Families plan their trips now to come to Wentworth instead of going somewhere else.”