BEN EOIN, N.S. — Ski Ben Eoin opened its slopes for the 2021 season on Thursday for members only as everyone adjusts to COVID-19 health protocols which are required in order to remain operational.
Director of operations Darcy MacDonald said they have been working with public health officials for a month in preparation for opening and feel confident they'll keep staff and patrons safe this winter season. The bigger challenge for the ski hill so far has been the weather.
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"It's a relief just to be open," said MacDonald. "Mother Nature hasn't been kind to us. Now we're just praying for cold enough weather for the rest of the season so we can keep making snow and keep the trails open."
MacDonald said they hope to open the hill to skiers with day passes in about a week. The passes can be purchased on Ski Ben Eoin's new website.
Courtney Boutilier was at the new front gate greeting area at Ski Ben Eoin where the snowboard instructor was discussing COVID-19 health protocol information with club members. NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST
From right, Julia Callary and her older sister Anneka wait for their mother Bettina to finish helping their brother Alex get his skis on before hitting the slopes. The girls are both members of the Ski Ben Eoin ski team and their mother has coached Canadian World Cup alpine ski teams. NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST
Ski Ben Eoin's director of operations Darcy MacDonald stands beside the waiting area for the chair lift. The red and blue poles help main social distancing guidelines. NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST
A few hundred skiers took advantage of the weekday opening at Ski Ben Eoin. NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST
Carrie MacDougall, left, and Lynn Pronk work behind a plastic barrier in the shop at Ski Ben Eoin.
Josh Paul, front, and his brother Andre, from Malagawatch First Nation, were eager to get to Ski Ben Eoin on the first day and hope to make the almost hour long trip to the hill every day it's open this season.
A skier goes up the chair lift at Ski Ben Eoin. NICOLE SULLIVAN • CAPE BRETON POST
