Officials at Laurentian Ski Hill are extremely disappointed with the news that the new provincial lockdown protocols will put the ski hill on ice from December 25 to January 9.
Mike King, new general manager at Laurentian Ski Hill, says they were pushing hard to convince officials to stay open.
"We were lobbying hard, our parent association OSRA, Ontario Snow Resorts Association was lobbying hard to have the ski industry declared as an essential service," King told BayToday.
"It is for the sake of peoples' physical and mental well being so we were pretty surprised that we have been shut down, and they specified ski hills when there are other sporting events taking place so. it is a real big disappointment for us and of course for our skiers and snowboarders."
But King says they are trying to make the best of it this week.
"We are going to keep it open while it lasts," said King about staying open for Christmas eve.
"The next two weeks are looking good for snowmaking and have the hill nicely groomed and great shape for people to come back on January 10.
"In light of this news, we have decided to continue to open the beginner hill Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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King hopes the lockdown delay does not discourage the momentum the hill has created this offseason.
"It is a good way to get healthy, both mentally and physically and we are getting so much interest. We also have kids who cannot compete in their sport of choice this winter so they may be looking for alternatives and we have 'Snowbirders' who are not going away this winter so they might be looking for things to do so we are pretty excited about it," King stated last month.
