Ski Hill staff waiting for the snow

They are playing the waiting game at the Laurentian Ski Hill.

General Manager Trish Pecore says a year ago they were open in the middle of December, but the wait continues this year.

As for conditions needed, she says they need temperatures of minus 8 degrees or so to start the snow making equipment and a week and a half of snow, as well.

She was asked about the Christmas programs and camps if they don’t have the snow.

Pecore says they are planning to run their Christmas programs and camps even if there’s no snow there just won’t be skiing if that’s the case but they remain hopeful.

(Photo courtesy of North Bay Snowmobile Club) 

Meantime, the calendar says December, but the lack of snow on the ground means snowmobile season is still a way off from starting.

One person who is praying for snow is Shawn Flindall. He is with Marketing and Public Relations for the North Bay Snowmobile Club.

He says so far their prayers have gone unanswered unlike last year when  there was 2 feet of snow on the ground and weeks of minus 20 degree temperatures.

Flindall says everything isn’t dire though, as they’ve had great sales of snowmobile permits and enthusiastic interest in the activity but they need snow to get the season going. 

He says dealers have also been busy but they need snow to get people excited about the season.

Flindall says they also need two weeks of minus 20 degree temperatures and if the current forecast is accurate we’re a long way from that.

He says it’ll be a while before the trails can be ready.

Flindall says the best case scenario is the trails could be open by mid January.