LETHBRIDGE – Despite the forecast of a milder than normal winter, the ski and snowboard season is well underway at many Alberta resorts.
Alpenland owner Steve Mundell says although it was a poor ending to last year’s season, this year is starting to look up.
“People weren’t believing the hill was going to open until it really did, but things are going now for sure,” said Mundell. “It takes a bit of snow for tire shops, ski shops, places like this to get going, and everyone to start thinking of winter.”
Wednesday’s early morning snowfall came just about a week before Christmas Day and in the midst of the busy shopping season.
Other local sport shops said that when the white stuff falls on the ground, the green stuff makes its way into the cash register.
“We’re always busy here,” said Justin Cameron, a sales associate at Bert & Mac’s Source for Sports. “It is hockey season so we have all that stuff going on, like sticks and skate sharpens.
“Christmas is just a little added traffic with people getting holiday gifts such as jerseys.”
Cameron credits the influx of business to the passion Canadians have for the outdoors.
“When it snows, it just gets people out on the pond and in the rinks,” said Cameron. “We do a lot more skate sharpens and also rentals. People just want to enjoy the weather outside too.”
While the shops may be busy, regardless of the amount of snow that has or hasn’t fallen, a common myth is that if there’s no snow in the city, there’s none on the ski hills. Mundell says he is in close contact with friends at Castle Mountain Ski Resort and they say that isn’t true.
“I’m on the phone with them, and looking at the webcams almost hourly,” said Mundell. “It snowed very hard last night and it’s snowing hard today.”
“At the top of the mountain it’s better than it’s been in two years. So, if you got the time, get out there! Go skiing!”
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