The weather forecast for Clarenville heading into next week is promising sunny but cold days with temperatures below zero for most of the week.
That suits Richard Power just fine.
The chair of the board of Ski White Hills hopes the cold weather holds until Easter Week, to allow the hill to so some business in a season that’s been more than challenging.
Following the province’s decision this week to move to Alert Level 3 for the province, and Level 4 for the Avalon, the board decided it would go ahead with a re-opening, to salvage at least some of the 2021 season.
To date, the hill hasn’t seen any downhill skiers.
Lack of snow through December and January hindered a start.
Then the COVID outbreak in St. John’s in February, putting the entire province into a lockdown, forced the board to pull back on firing up the lift.
Ironically, the Level 5 lockdown came Feb. 12, the same weekend a winter storm dumped a pile of snow on the hill.
Power told SaltWire the hill should be ready for skiers early next week.
Staff have to do some work, like grooming the hill, to prepare it for use, he said.
He’s not sure how long the hill will stay open for skiing, but the board is very hopeful of a stretch of cold weather to allow the hill to operate at least until the end of the Easter Week break in April.
Normally, the hill has 16 runs.
Power said that’s been pared back to about 10.
And, of course, COVID protocols are in place.
“That means the canteen is not open, and access to the chalet is limited to just the washrooms,” he said.
For more information on opening date, hours of operation for the rest of the season and COVID protocols, visit: www.whitehillsresort.com or visit their Facebook page: White Hills Resort.
