Skiers make their mark in mild winter – Winnipeg Free Press

Unseasonably mild temperatures have left ski enthusiasts stranded this winter.

The clear weather quickly melted the snow and the hopes of holding planned social events. On Monday, the Manitoba Ski Association moved its provincial championships to March 23-24.

The competition was originally scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Birch ski area west of Carman and is expected to attract more than 100 skiers from across the province.

“With an event, you invite a lot of people to a certain area and people come from far and wide. So, you can't wait until the last minute because they have to make a decision sooner,” said Karin McSherry, the association's executive director.

There needs to be at least a 10-centimeter snow base to be considered for the championships, McSherry said. Winnipeg and many surrounding areas have been well below this for most of the season and this has hurt outdoor winter enthusiasts such as skiers, snowboarders, skaters and snowboarders.

“It was very difficult,” McSherry said. “It's like you can ski, you can't ski, or there are no other places in the province that you can ski. In fact, there is a lot of snow on Mount Turtle and Mount Mingen.

“But when you live in the Winnipeg area, it was frustrating.”

McSherry says CCSAM has had to cancel “everything on the calendar” so far, including a weekly race series that closes Wednesday night at the Windsor Park Nordic Center before heavy snowfall.

March may not be good for snow, but this organization should take the risk at this point.

“We have other events on our calendar in March, so that's one of the factors that allows us to do it at the end of March. It's not surprising that it's still snowing and it could be a lot better than it is now, but it's too late,” McSherry said. “We follow Mother Nature's will, so the weather is what the weather is going to be and we have to deal with it.”

The ski center of the Aessipi ski resort, four hours west of the provincial capital, has grown prematurely thanks to its snowmaking abilities.

“It's amazing what Mother Nature can do, but it doesn't give us a big enough base,” said Shannon Johnston, assistant resort manager. “They designed the roof to face north, so it can handle a little bit warmer temperatures, the daytime sun won't be as bad. This is what they planned in construction to survive the spring.”

A popular destination for Manitoba skiers and snowboarders, Aessipi is trying to collect nearly a meter of snow around the area. A mild October meant they wouldn't get snow until mid-November and didn't finish until January 22, several weeks later than usual.

Crews were able to build enough of the base for the resort's regular opening on Dec. 15, Johnston said, and taking advantage of the snow and cold weather was critical. During peak snowfall, the machine operates 24 hours a day.

“If it gets below -20 and we're getting snow, it just pumps the snow out and it's beautiful snow — you can't turn it off, can you? he said.

Due to the uncertainty of conditions, some weekends are busier than others.

“We're definitely getting calls saying, 'Do you guys have any snow yet?' Will you be open next week?'' Johnston said.

Near Winnipeg, Springhill Winter Park in the north floodplain – which also makes snow – survived the mild temperatures. Although calls to the office were not returned, Springhill's website indicates the sports park is open but closed Tuesday through Thursday of this week. It will reopen for business on Friday.

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Joshua Frey-Sam
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Joshua Frey-Sam will happily welcome a heated sports debate any day of the week.

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