Apex Mountain Resort is continuously opening more terrain with each day.

Currently, The Quad with Grandfathers Trail, Ben’s Run, Rookies Trail, Juniper and Highway 97C are all open at the resort, located approximately 35 minutes outside of Penticton. As the mountain continues to accumulate snow, the resort can open more lifts and terrains, but they are already wary of certain areas that need to remain off-limits.

“Some of our more advanced terrain — black (diamonds) and double black (diamonds) — the snow is just not stable there,” said the resort general manager James Shalman. “Quite honestly it’s already avalanched. So we’re at a point where we need to start building the base back up. It’s not safe to ski yet so that’s why those are closed.”

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Shalman said the resort’s tube park opened Dec. 28 for the first time of the season while the adventure skating loop has been opened for about three weeks.

“We’re hoping with the next significant snowfall we should be able to pen the triple chair — it just depends on how much snow comes,” said Shalman, who noted that the forecast is calling for snow this evening.

This year has been a stark contrast to the resort’s past five years which saw “phenomenal early seasons” according to Shalman, but he is confident numbers will pick up as we head into the new year. In the meantime while riders wait for snow, the resort is offering discounts on lift tickets.

“The season is long, going four months into the end of March so that’s lots of time to get snow and get those ski numbers up,” said Shalman. “It’s hard to make up for lost ground over Christmas holidays but we’ll still have a good year.”

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The resort helped families celebrate on Christmas Eve with its annual Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade, which saw dozens of kids flocking to the slopes to meet Santa.

“We had 100 people in our parade — it comes all the way down the Okanagan run. It was a beautiful sight, crystal clear bluebird sky. We had tons of Chinese lanterns going up and a huge fireworks display that happens while the parade is on,” said Shalman.

The resort will have fireworks again on New Years Eve with a family show taking place beforehand at 6:30 p.m. For up to date information on open terrains, lift tickets, and events visit www.apexresort.com.

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