Despite recent warm and rainy weather that has washed away much of the snow from East Kootenay communities the past couple of weeks, the skiing and snowboarding season continues full speed ahead.

The East Kootenay’s three major ski resorts – Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Panorama Mountain Resort – have all recently reached out to chambers of commerce and the media in an effort to let visitors and locals know that conditions remain favourable and their seasons remain on schedule.

In a note to Fernie Chamber of Commerce members, Fernie Alpine Resort General Manager Andy Cohen stated: “People love a good story. Sometimes, a little insignificant rumour can become just that. Fernie Alpine Resort will be open until April 12. While the season has been a challenge for sure, our team is working 24/7 to provide the best snow surface possible. The weather has been beautiful and people are having fun. Let’s tell people the facts about Fernie. We are going the distance. The forecast is calling for “periods of snow” on Saturday. Let’s all hope it keeps coming.”

Kimberley Alpine Resort will remain open until April 4, as per original plans the resort stated in a Feb. 11 media release.

“Kimberley Alpine Resort is wide-open in full operation on all lifts and over 50 runs open! It may feel like spring down in the valleys, but due to our high elevation we are still in mid-winter mode, having received a foot of snow in the last week, and with great coverage and groomed skiing on our extensive man-made snow runs,” KAR announced.

The hill closes for the season on April 4, ending with the Spring Splash festival – a weekend combo event with the Spring Splash, Dummy Downhill, Junior Freeski and FREE, live outdoor music.

And all of Panorama Mountain Resort’s terrain is still open and available, Panorama announced today (Feb. 17).

“It’s still winter at Panorama Mountain Resort, contrary to reports that group all Western Canada ski areas into a story of winter challenges. The combination of investment in snow making infrastructure, new guest experiences, a strong US dollar and a bit of luck has led to a year of growth. Business from long-haul destination markets (UK, Australia, and New Zealand) is up 28% over last year. Lodging occupancy is up five per cent over last year and lodging revenue is up nine per cent,” Panorama reported.

Ideal early season cold temperatures and improved snow management set the stage for the winter at Panorama, which has one of the most advanced and expansive snowmaking systems in Western Canada.

“Our machine-made snow keeps our lower mountain in great shape due to the amount we make and because it’s more durable than natural snow. This really plays to our advantage when irregularly warm weather comes through,” said Andrew Cradduck, Panorama’s director of mountain operations. “In fact, the snowpack at Panorama is actually deeper than last year. On February 9 the Summit depth was 124cm, compared to 98cm the year before, with a total snowfall of 296cm, compared to 257cm.”

The snow management team is also grooming the mountain differently. Cradduck continued, “The snow cat operators received coaching from an industry expert to learn new grooming techniques to operate their machines to their fullest potential. Operators are using new techniques which refresh the snow surface every night, instead of reprocessing the same snow, in the same place, night after night. Ultimately, this results in a softer surface.”

Luck has also contributed to the resort’s success this winter as it received very little unfrozen precipitation experienced at lower elevations across Western Canada.

“We have been really fortunate and received a good dump of snow that stayed dry throughout our Taynton Bowl area and upper mountain while the lower mountain stayed relatively dry during that precipitous period. Snow coverage is great! We are wide open and operating as we would any other winter. The slightly warmer weather we are currently experiencing makes for an enjoyable day on the slopes,” said Cradduck.

Panorama’s winter season concludes April 12.

Lead image: Feb. 14 at Fernie Alpine Resort. Fernie Alpine Resort photo

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