Misty Ridge can’t catch a break.
Just after it looked like the not-for-profit society had resolved the financial issues that threatened its viability, other issues have forced the society’s board to cancel the 2017/18 ski season.
“It was a tough decision, one that they didn’t want to make and that went round and round the table for some time, but in the end, they felt it was the only thing they could do,” said society spokesperson Kerry McElroy, adding the board made the decision during its Dec. 7 meeting.
He added the decision is especially disappointing because of the work the board did.
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 it 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.
However, the optimism the society had for the upcoming year started to decline, in large part because of Mother Nature.
“Normally the Christmas break is when we have our biggest attendance and with above normal temperatures we have been receiving and with the long-term forecast saying that it is going to continue into the foreseeable future, we thought it would be best if we concentrated in making the upgrades we want to make to the hill instead of trying to go forward in less than perfect conditions and giving our patrons a subpar experience,” McElroy said.
Another contributing factor is that the hill’s ability to make snow was seriously compromised after a theft at the hill.
“Somebody decided to steal our extension cords,” he said, adding the three extension cords are valued at about $3,000. “Obviously they need it more than we do, a not-for-profit society.”
McElroy believes the extension cords were stolen for the copper wiring inside because instead of stealing the entire cord they just cut off the ends and stole the cable.
However, even if the extension cords were not stolen, the hill’s snowmaking ability would have been severely hampered by the warm weather. Ideally to make snow the temperature needs to be -10 Celsius, something that hasn’t happened consistently.
“We were able to make snow in early November, but whatever is left of that has just turned to ice so we really would have to started right from scratch,” McElroy said. “But the bright side of it is by cancelling the season and if we continue to get this warmer winter weather it will help ensure the improvements that we are planning are completed by the start of next season.”
The plans which McElroy is referring to is the installation of lights to allow night skiing, improvements to the snowboard park and the replacement of the tow-rope on the bunny hill.
“All of which wouldn’t have been possible if it were not for the Elks’ donation,” he said.
As for those who had purchased a season pass for this year, McElroy said they can get a full refund, or just have it carry-on to the 2018-2019 season.
For those who have made a donation to the society, their contribution will be recognized starting this year with a sign at Misty Ridge’s entrance and would remain for the 2018/19 season.
“We really appreciate their support,” he said. “Without it we wouldn’t have been able to survive and do the things we are going to do.”
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.
