Skiing at Shames Mountain will be delayed one week due to heavy snowfall and the need to have its chairlift fully inspected.
“We were really hoping to be able to open on the 9th,” said Christian Theberge, general manager of the ski hill. “Reality is maintenance has taken much longer than anticipated.”
Heavy snowfall has delayed maintenance, and a needed lift inspection has been pushed back one week, meaning the hill's opening date is now Dec. 16.
The BC Safety Authority is required to run load testing and other safety requirements before the hill can open, and it is now happening on the weekend My Mountain Coop intended to train staff.
While skiers will have to wait an extra week, it's not all bad for staff at the ski hill.
“It's going to give everybody a bit of extra time,” said Theberge,“At a ski hill there's always more you can keep doing.”
Snow has been a factor that's delayed maintenance at the hill, but it's not all bad.
“It started the first week of November and hasn't really stopped,” said Theberge, adding the ski facility already has 1.5 metres of snow at the base and 2.5 m at the top. “Snow's there, we're going to open with a bang.”
To date, pass sales have been what My Mountain Co-op has been expecting, he said.
“We're sure excited to see everybody up there,” he said, adding the opening day is a ski for free day at the hill in exchange for clothing or non-perishable food items which will then be sent to the Terrace Churches Food Bank.