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Mount Baker temporarily suspends operations over lack of snow

Mount Baker is the latest victim of this winter’s milder than normal temperatures.

As of Sunday, the operations on the mountain have been temporarily suspended pending more snow.

In a video update posted on the mountain’s website, general manager Duncan Howat said they would need additional six to twelve inches of snow to be back in operation.

Howat says it happens once every 15 years.

“In 2005, this same kind of thing happened. This same week in 2005 is the week we suspended operations temporarily,” he says. “Then it really started to snow and our base total moved up to 80 inches and we look forward to that.”

WATCH: General manager Duncan Howat and operations manager Gwyn Howat talk about the temporarily closure of the mountain 

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Howat says the lack of snow has put serious financial hardship on the crew.

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Operations manager Gwyn Howat says they are looking into extending the season. “This winter has not gotten the best of us yet, and we remain optimistic and hopeful,” she says.

Low snow conditions have led to an early season end on some of Vancouver’s North Shore mountains.

Cypress Mountain shut down its operations in mid-February due to a lack of snow, although it has re-opened a downhill portion in early March thanks to artificially made powder.

Grouse Mountain saw little snow this year, but zub-zero temperatures in early March helped the mountain create some artificial snow as well. Meanwhile, Mount Seymour is currently on standby for more snow and will resume operations accordingly.

Hemlock Resort near Hope also failed to even open their season due to warmer than average temperatures and negligible snow.

READ MORE: Will climate change bring an end to a regular ski season on B.C. coastal mountains?

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