Get those boards and skis ready, Whitewater Ski Resort offers Sneak-a-Peek weekend
By Bruce Fuhr
There’s a reason why ski hills are built in the mountains — because that’s where all the snow is located.
While Nelsonites wake up to scrape windows of ice prior to heading to work of late, the folks at Whitewater Ski Resort are busy clearing snow, and lots of it, from the steps of the lodge and grooming trails.
The recent accumulation, more than 200 cm of the white stuff has allowed staff to open early for the 2011-12-ski season.
“This is an awesome start to the season,” said Rebeckah Hornung of Whitewater Ski Resort.
“La Nina (the weather pattern), we like.”
Hornung said this weekend’s opening — Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — has been dubbed a Sneak-a-Peek at what’s expected this season.
Skiers have two lifts, Silverking and Summit, when the hill opens for business.
The newest chairlift, Glory Ridge, is not expected to be operational until mid-December.
The early accumulation of snow has settled to a 160 cm base at the top of Summit, with an elevation of 2,002 meters or 6,567 feet.
The base allows staff to open all of the Silverking runs and most of Summit — from Joker avalanche closure to Sproulers.
Unfortunately, Glory will be outside the operational boundary until the chairlift opens.
The Sneak-a-Peek weekend allows staff and managed a dress rehearsal for the official opening, Friday, December 9.
“These are exceptional conditions for this early in the season,” Hornung said.
“When I came up last weekend, the parking lot looked like it was during the middle of the season,” adding the lot was filled with touring skiers eager to get a head start to the season.
Whitewater is the first local hill out of the starting gates. Red Mountain near Rossland is tentatively scheduled to start shredding December 17th, or possibly earlier weather permitting. East in Kimberley, the Alpine Ski Resort is also up and running beginning Saturday.
Whitewater is located south of Nelson on Highway 6, a 15-minute drive from City Center.
The hill opens in December, with daily operations until April.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
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