Ski season at Apex Mountain Resort officially ended on Monday, after a very challenging season for local ski hills.
Ski hills in British Columbia initially had very little snow, and then had to deal with extreme weather.
Apex Mountain Resort general manager James Shalman described it as a tough season with a slow start and fluctuating weather throughout.
The season saw extreme cold followed by extreme warm weather, creating a cycle of challenging conditions.
Similar challenges were experienced at Big White Ski Resort near Kelowna, B.C.
Big White Ski Resort’s vice-president, Michael J. Ballingall, commented on the unpredictable weather throughout the season.
The ski resorts had to face a variety of weather challenges, leading to fluctuating visitor numbers and overall experience.
As a result, Apex Mountain had fewer visitors compared to previous years.
Apex Mountain Resort general manager James Shalman noted that while weekends were busy, overall numbers were down compared to the phenomenal snow year of the previous season.
Despite the challenging snow conditions, the resort managed to maintain relatively good numbers, though it was not their best year ever.
Apex Mountain has closed for the season, while Silverstar Mountain Resort near Vernon still has limited runs open until Sunday.
Big White announced that it will extend its season, closing on April 14th, as a gesture to their loyal customer base.
The decision to stay open later was driven by a commitment to their customer base, even though they are now competing with other outdoor activities.
They are also planning a 60-year celebration to mark the occasion.
Despite the challenges faced this year, ski resorts are optimistic about the next season.
The current El Nino phase, which usually means less snow, is giving way to a La Nina phase, promising better snow conditions for the next season.
The transition from El Nino to La Nina is expected to bring favorable snow conditions for the upcoming season.
