Opening day at Mt. Timothy Ski area on Dec. 14 saw more snow than its management can remember starting a season with.
Last year’s start was a big one, but the amount of snow this year is up something like 60 per cent at the mountain, located outside Lac la Hache, north of 100 Mile House.
“Our base right now is at 85 centimetres, and last year was an epic opening with 55 cm,” says general manager Adam Piccolo.
“A lot of people were excited to get out and see how much snow actually was here.”
Dec. 14 was a busy day with 182 day passes sold, he adds.
“It really put our new staff to the test.”
Mt. Timothy is closed this week and opens again on Dec. 21 until Christmas Day. After that it’s open right through to Jan. 7.
To the delight of the mountain’s management, there might be more white stuff on the way.
“We’re actually watching a system now,” Piccolo says.
“It looks to hit Friday [Dec. 20]. We’re hoping that brings quite a bit of snow.”
Mt. Timothy has recently partnered with the National Sport Trust Fund, which helps organizations raise funds for causes that further development of amateur sport in Canada.
Only about one-third of the seats on the chairlift currently have the type of padding riders like, and it’s the biggest thing customers have been asking for, Piccolo explains.
“Everyone waits for those ones. With a $500 donation to the mountain, you get a tax-receipt … and we get a seat pad with your name embroidered on it.”
It costs a little less than $500 to have a seat pad done, he adds. So, proceeds of the project will be going towards a tube park in the future.
For regular updates, call the 24-hour snow phone at 1-877-392-1446.
