Conditions improving by the day and Poma lift issue

Snow conditions are getting better and better every day and with the cold temperatures more runs are coming soon.  We are blowing snow to finish the main full width and to finish some of the jumps for the terrain park.  If temperatures we should definately see some more terrain in a day of two.

Please note that the Poma surface lift servicing the Learning Center will not be operational today. Lift Mechanics discovered a mechanical problem which was causing significant wear to a key component of the lift. Continued operation in that state would have caused irreversible damage and a very costly repair. The decision was made to remove from service and get it fixed immediately. We expect it back in service sometime tomorrow or Thursday.  It was a tough decision but in the end there really was no choice.  Our friends at Ro-Von Steel are completing the necessary repairs and lift mechanics will get it back in service as soon as the component returns.

We have been asked to use a snowmachine with a rope to pull skiers up the Poma but this is unfortunately not going to be possible.  There are simply two many risks in doing that with beginner skiers and snowboarders and particularly small children.  If you have ever seen the number of people falling off the Poma lift on a normal day you can image the problems that may occur with pulling people on a snow machine in close proximity to one another.

Remember we are open all week 9:30 am to 9 pm.

Finally some snow!

Sorry for a couple of days of missed posts everyone (especially you Brian) things are always busy when we get under way and it was sure nice to see some activity.

Conditions were a little rough opening day but I think considering the weather that staff have had to deal with it was pretty good.  By all accounts the fresh snow dramatically improved conditions on Sunday and after being groomed last night should be even better today.

Thanks to the band Porter for putting on a great show for the 200+ who attended the New Years celebration on Saturday night.

A special thank you to all of the staff who managed to pull together getting things open on Saturday.  With this kind of weather and the delayed opening there should be no surprise that it really puts a strain on resources.  Many staff returned more than a month later than normal as a result and had a couple of days to get things together for opening, work that can take weeks.  We had our expected challenges but really it was amazing what they were able to pull together.  Thank you everyone!!!

We are open all week 9:30am to 9:00pm so get out here and find your snow legs!

Opening Saturday? Sure looks like it.

Expect an official answer later this morning but after touring the mountain yesterday afternoon and this last night of snowmaking, I suspect that we will be in good shape for opening on Saturday. 

Temperatures did get out of the ideal zone yesterday but crews managed it well and have achieved quite a bit considering the weather we have been experiencing.  The Learning Centre is ready to go and will be open at 9:30am.

The main and the Triple chair may be a little late as last minute safety is put into place.  The run will not be full width in places but honestly what I saw yesterday was much better than I had expected.  Groomers will be on it most of the day today and we will continue to make snow as long as weather allows. 

If you are anything like me you are just anxious to get some turns in.  It's been a long while.  Keep checking in as we will be providing more details as the day goes on.

Cold weather is helping!

Things are looking a lot better than just a couple of days ago.  The cold temperatures have allowed for snowmaking around the clock since Tuesday night.  Forecasts are calling for things to warm up a bit today which is unfortunate.  Here is hoping that it stays just cold enough to allow snowmaking to continue.

The Poma is complete and will be open on Saturday.  Opening rail jam with a brand new feature will go Saturday as well.  Check for details on facebook.

We are hoping to have the Triple chair open on Saturday as well.  Once we evaluate our snow situation today I will be able to provide a more definite answer on that.

One thing for sure....it won't be long now.

Warm weather returns but forecast is looking better

Hope everyone had a great Christmas Day with family and friends!

After a good day and a half of excellent snowmaking weather the warm weather returned on Christmas Eve and it remains warm this boxing day.  The low at Searchmont for today is -1.

Expecting a cold front to roll in tomorrow afternoon and we will be going hard at it to get things open.  The forecasted rain seems to be gone now and temperatures are looking really good.  Hard to predict an opening date at this point but things are looking a lot better than just a day ago.

Keep in there....it won't be long!!!

Finally a good night of snowmaking

That quick drop in temperature yesterday afternoon will certainly help.  Snowmakers jumped on the opportunity.  The problem is it doesn't look like it will last with the warmer temperatures returning tomorrow afternoon.  Let's hope that the forecasts are off  by a few degrees and we can keep the guns going.

The million dollar question is when is opening day.  If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked our fundraising campaign would be complete.  It's a tough one to answer as there are so many factors.  Right now the earliest that I believe we will be able to manage, assuming we can continue making snow, is the 28th.  What could make that date earlier....snow, snow, snow of course.  Let's hope that the forecasted snow comes and comes and comes.

Searchmont comes to town again tonight from 4 to 8pm and Saturday 11am to 3pm.  Get the perfect stocking stuffers of six packs and/or gift cards this Christmas.

We are working hard to get winter started

We have certainly seen our weather challenges the last few years but nothing like this.  The unseasonal warm weather continues and with the exception of a small window on Friday mother nature is being stingy with the snowmaking weather.

We will be making snow at every opportunity but at the time of writing it looks unlikely that we will be open until sometime next week.  That is disappointing for all of us but all we can do is hope that once winter decides to truly get underway it will reward us with lots of the white stuff.

We thank you for your patience and look forward to the reward of some fantastic conditions in the very near future.

Check back regularly for the latest updates.