FILE PHOTO
Image Credit: Sun Peaks Resort
November 15, 2016 - 1:04 PM
SUN PEAKS - Winter is coming, but it’s a little later than expected at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops.
Aidan Kelly with Sun Peaks says the resort won't be open Saturday, Nov. 19, because there isn't enough snow yet.
“There wasn’t enough confidence in the forecast yesterday,” he says. “Next week is our target.”
There is some snow on the mountain, with a 30 centimetre base at mid-mountain and 60 cm in the alpine, Kelly says, but the resort is waiting on some more natural snow and consistently colder temperatures to keep it from melting.
“It’s unfortunate and we’d rather not be in this situation but we’re still optimistic,” he says. “You always want to get off to a strong start.”
Kelly says the main users this time of year are locals and season pass holders, so the delayed opening shouldn’t affect tourism numbers.
Sun Peaks typically has an earlier opening date than other B.C. ski resorts.
Last year’s opening was Nov. 20, a day earlier than planned. Kelly hopes they will open late next week once conditions are consistent and the base is a little deeper. He says the short term forecast and current conditions are looking good.
“We still anticipate being in the same ball park as last year,” he says. “We’re able to ramp up operations quite quickly.”
Once conditions are ideal it only takes the resort a day or two to prepare to open, he says.
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