Wet, warm weather prompts B.C. ski closures
Patches of mud and rock were visible throughout the Mount Washington Ski Resort on Vancouver Island this week.
It’s one of several ski hills in parts of British Columbia that have been hit with recent warm weather, with some having to pause operations until more snow falls.
“Not ideal, very rocky,” said Taylor Ross-Bowdler, who was skiing at Mount Washington this week.
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“You’ve got to have your wits about you because there’s little rock pebbles and mud.”
The resort has only been open for a few weeks, and is struggling to accumulate enough snow.
Ski resorts across the South Coast and Vancouver Island are seeing higher temperatures this week. Many had already lost a lot of snow during last weekend’s atmospheric river. (Maryse Zeidler/CBC News)
Certain runs closed earlier this week, with the resort now offering reduced prices.
Greg Chadwick, executive director for the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, says Mount Washington tourism is a major economic driver in the Comox Valley.
With recent conditions, he says there has been noticeably less traffic in the downtown area.
“We definitely see a few less feet in the streets downtown,” he said.
Several B.C. ski resorts have had to limit or cancel operations amidst warm and wet conditions over the past week. (Maryse Zeidler/CBC News)
B.C.’s South Coast and Southern Interior are also seeing warmer-than-normal weather, causing ski closures and heightening avalanche risk.
Two ski areas in Kamloops have had to pause operations altogether amid poor conditions.
Both the Overlander Ski Club and Harper Mountain Ski and Snowboard closed this week, and will remain closed until more snow falls.
Chelsea Francis, the general manager of the Overlander Ski Club, says warm weather and rain have melted down the snow base, leading to icy conditions.
“Usually we can work with ice, but when we have such a thin base it’s a bit harder to work with it,” she said.
“As things deteriorate, you have to make the best call for public safety.”
Francis said the past few days have been sunny with above-zero temperatures, and the base is continuing to melt.
She says the area would need about 10 to 15 centimetres of snow to resume operations.
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Thumbnail courtesy of Maryse Zeidler/CBC News.
The story was originally written by and published for CBC News. It contains files from Maryse Zeidler.