Winnipeg ski hills and events closed due to cold weather

WINNIPEG – The 16 centimeters of fresh powder should have made for perfect skiing conditions over the weekend, but bitterly cold temperatures kept the hills closed over the weekend.

“It’s mainly a safety thing we can’t have our staff standing out there for too long in this weather,” said Joel Pajak owner at Springhill Winter Park.

Much of Manitoba in an extreme cold warning with wind chills reaching between minus 40 and minus 50. It’s not ideal conditions for spending time outdoors, but there is one good thing coming from this cold snap.

“The only benefit of this weather is that we can continue to make snow, and hopefully finishing up our snow making and open the full hill by next week,” said Pajak.

The Forks was also forced to cancel one of their first winter events under the canopy as a safety precaution.

“We’re always aware that weather is going to play into events like this,” said Kristin Pauls. “But we always hope whether it’s us dressing a little warmer or pushing the event to a different day that we will be able to experience what we wanted to do in the first place.”

Some Winnipeggers still chose to lace up and enjoy a skate under the canopy and on the Red River Trail on Sunday.

Mountain Equipment Co-op has been busier than usual over the last couple of weeks with the cold snap. For Winnipeggers who have no other option than to battle the elements, there are ways to protect yourself from the cold.

“Layering is essential,” said Krista Robinson. “That base layer, as long as it’s wicking moisture away, your mid layer should be synthetic or something with loft as we say, it’ll be able to trap warm air.”