The volunteers and staff of Misty Ridge Ski Hill are ready to go and the only thing missing is the snow.
That is what Misty Ridge Ski Hill Society president Tracy Mueller, told the Leader when asked about when the facility would open for this ski season.
“Generally our goal is to open the weekend before Christmas and that is what we are hoping to do once again,” she said, adding the hill’s tentative opening date is set for Dec. 16. “But that all depends on the weather.”
Misty Ridge Ski Hill is a not- for-profit ski hill located 30 kilometres north of Barrhead, adjacent to the Athabasca River.
The ski hill opened its doors in 1972 in an effort to provide a low cost ski hill.
The County of Barrhead purchased the original 10 acres from Walter and Helen Neuman and the ski slopes were leased back to Jack and Jeanne Bozak.
The Bozaks made an agreement with the county to take over the lease during the winter months, during the ski season, reverting back into grazing lands in the summer.
In the spring its existence was in doubt, but a $10,000 cash infusion from the county to help cover the society’s deficit for the 2016/17 operating season, with funds its received from a charity casino, ensured the ski hill would be able to start the season. In late September, the society also received a $79,000 donation from the Barrhead Elks, which will also help the hill remain viable into the future.
“We can’t thank the Elks enough for their donation,” Mueller said, adding skiers will be able to see the impact of the service club’s donation almost immediately.
A sizeable part of the donation has been earmarked for snowmaking.
In the past, Mueller said, snowmaking has been hit or miss, saying not only were they at the mercy of the weather, but volunteers.
“Snowmaking is generally done at night, because that is when you get your weather,” she said, adding because the majority of their volunteers have day jobs, they were not always available. In order to make snow the temperature must be at least -10 Celsius.
Another project the Elk’s donation will allow the society to do is to install lights, which would allow them to expand their hours of opertation.
Mueller said she is not sure when the lighting would be complete, but that work has begun. The other large project the society plans to complete is to replace the hill’s bunny-hill tow-rope, however work on that will not begin until the off-season.
“Temperatures were really good to start November and we were hoping they might hold out for the entire month,” she said, adding unfortunately at the end of the month it got too warm to make snow effectively. “But I am confident that we will have another cold snap and between what we make and the snow fall we get before Christmas will allow us to have great conditions to start the season.”
Single season passes for youth (17 years old and under) and adult are priced at $175 and $225 respectively. There is a 10 per cent discount for those who purchase passes before Dec. 10. A 10-pack punch pass is also available for $100. Day passes are also available and cost $20 for youth and $25 for an adult. To use the hill’s cross-country ski or snowshoe trails the cost is $5.
Mueller noted Misty Ridge rates have not increased in a number of years.
“We really have done our best to keep it affordable to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy what we think is the hidden gem,” she said.
To purchase a season pass contact Erna at 780-674-4050. For the most up-to-date information on Misty Ridge’s opening date, Mueller suggests visiting their Facebook page.
