STEADY BROOK, N.L. — It will be the new year before skiers and snowboarders can hit the slopes for the new season at Marble Mountain.
As it did last year, the ski hill aims to open the first runs of the winter in early January.
The tenative start date is Jan. 2, though opening day remains at the mercy of weather conditions.
Last year, the planned start date was also Jan. 2, but snow conditions pushed the opening of the slopes back to Jan. 5.
Marble Mountain will be open only six days a week again this season. It will close on Tuesdays, continuing a cost-saving measure implemented by the province in 2018.
Otherwise, there are no major changes planned for Marble Mountain this season, according to Richard Wells, the ski hill's sales, events and marketing manager.
Preseason improvements to infrastructure were completed this past summer to ensure drainage, culverts, and cross ditches are up to standards.
“A couple years back we had a catastrophic flood that almost wiped us out during Hockey Day in Canada festivities,” Wells told The Western Star. “We just improved on our infrastructure to make sure we’re up to par, and above par, so we’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws us this year.”
Wells expects the snow guns to be fired up around the middle of December, depending on weather conditions. This will give the slopes a couple of weeks to prepare for the opening, if all goes to plan.
The snow guns will target around the base area and up the Marble Chute run.
Then they’ll train the guns on the upper mountain slopes via the Lightning Express chairlift, with the intention to have the top of the mountain open for the start of the season.
Marble Mountain’s first event will come just before the ski slopes officially open.
On New Year's Eve, it will be hosting its third annual Family First New Year's Eve Party.
The event has seen as many as 2,000 people attend in previous years.
There will be a flat admisison fee, no matter the size of the family.
“We’re just hoping that people will just come out and have some fun,” said Wells.
The party starts at 7 p.m. and there will be a firework display at 9 p.m.
The 2020 season will close April 12.
Some of the events planned for Marble Mountain this winter
Jan. 19 – Customer Appreciation Day
Jan. 31 – First of Nine Night Rides
Feb. 1 – Progression Terrain Park Competition
Feb. 15 – Jibfest Weekender
Feb. 15 – Snow Volleyball Tournament, in partnership with West Coast Beach Volleyball Association
Feb. 21-March 1 – Events during Corner Brook Winter Carnival
End of February – 57th Annual Old Sam Race
March 7 – Blast the Boom Freeride Competition
March 8 – On Mountain Poker Run
March 14 – Everest Challenge
March 29 – Orienteering Challenge
April 4 – Downhill Dummy Race
April 11 – Shriner’s Cardboard Box Derby Race
April 12 – Slush Cup Pod Skim Free with season pass to last person who’s dry
April 17 – Western Snow Rider’s Race on the Rock Weekend
