Anxious to hit the ski hills? You’ll be able to scratch that itch this weekend.
Horseshoe Resort is opening four runs and two lifts Saturday — the Oro-Medonte attraction’s earliest start since 1995.
“We’re very excited. It’s a great kickoff to the season,” said marketing manager Val Hamilton.
While the early arrival of wintry weather is bad news for some, it’s white gold to Horseshoe Resort.
“The cold temperatures this month are not seasonal, so that’s certainly helping us,” Hamilton said, noting temperatures of -2 to -3 degrees Celsius are ideal for the resort’s snow-making operations. “It’s very promising that we’re going to have a good winter all season.”
The resort usually opens its hills in the first or second week of December. Last year’s opening day was Dec. 14. In 2016, it was Dec. 9.
It’s good news for not only skiers, but staff, too, as they can likely expect a longer season of work. An early start on the hills is good for business in many areas of the resort, including its restaurant, hotel and spa.
“It’s great to see the whole resort alive this early,” Hamilton said.
There will be a 30-centimetre base of snow to start.
For those who want something different, another Oro-Medonte destination has them covered. Hardwood Ski and Bike’s cross-country trails are open for snowshoeing, fat biking and rock skiing — rock skis being the ones skiers don’t mind getting chipped or marked up. Recent snowfall has provided an acceptable base for those activities, but there are no snow-making machines at Hardwood, so marketing manager Louise Jackson is hoping for a wintry blast.
“It looks like it’s going to be a great, snowy winter,” she said. “We’re ready to kick off a good season.”
She’s certainly hoping it goes better than the last one. An electrical fire on Christmas Day 2017 devastated the Old Barrie Road business, forcing it to close temporarily during one of its busiest times.
“We’ve come a long way. Our staff has been wonderful,” Jackson said.
Hardwood’s main chalet, where the fire started, is not open yet. Nor are its rental or retail areas, which will be available as soon as possible. However, guest services and a day lodge are ready to welcome skiers. There will also be a food truck on site this weekend.
“We really don’t know what to expect. It’s new for us,” Jackson said of opening for the new season after the unfortunate event of last December. “Our programs are selling well, so we’re pretty much as close to business as usual as we can be.”
Trail passes cost $10. To monitor trail conditions, check out Hardwood’s website.
