Mild weather has prompted organizers to make a couple of changes to the upcoming Orillia 2018 Ontario Winter Games.
With temperatures nearing double digits Tuesday and expected to remain above freezing through the weekend, cross-country skiers will take to a different track.
Those races were scheduled to take place in the Copeland Forest, but they have been moved across the road, to the base of the ski hills at Horseshoe Resort.
That decision was made Monday.
“We were hoping the conditions in the forest might change, but today it’s (mild),” said Valerie Coombs, marketing manager at Horseshoe Resort.
The resort has been making snow since December, so it has some stored and ready for the races. However, because temperatures of -4 degrees Celsius or colder are needed to create snow, the track in the Copeland Forest cannot be salvaged.
Otherwise, “everything is going to stay exactly as planned” for cross-country skiing, Coombs said, noting the base of the hill “has all of the things the racers will expect; it will just be in a different location.”
In Orillia, the only change will be the location of the staging and concert area for Thursday’s opening ceremonies. It was to take place at Couchiching Beach Park but has been moved a short distance to the paved parking lot near the Centennial Park boat launch.
Those changes of plans have not had a negative impact, said Michael Ladouceur, general manager of the games.
“At first, we were a little worried (about cross-country skiing),” he said, “but they came up with a viable solution.”
Blue Mountain will fight to stay white this weekend as it hosts some on-hill events for the Ontario Winter Games.
Thursday and Friday, Blue Mountain will host the snowboarding, alpine and para-alpine events.
“We will be moving forward as planned,” said Tara Lovell, spokesperson for Blue Mountain. “We certainly have conditions on parts of the hill that last for the next couple of weeks. If there are any snow-making opportunities, we will take advantage of them.”
She said Blue Mountain can make snow once the temperature reaches -2.2 C or lower.
Athletes, ages 12 to 18, from all regions of Ontario will compete in the Ontario Winter Games. Click here for schedules and information on this year’s event.
— With files from Erika Engel
