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Vernon  

Ski season off to iffy start

SilverStar Mountain Resort and Sovereign Nordic Centre are both open to cross-country skiers, but a lack of snow means downhillers still have to wait to use the mountain.

“We will need some more snow in lower elevations to open for alpine skiing,” said Kristy Jahn-Smith, SilverStar spokesperson. “As such we are postponing the planned Nov. 24 alpine opening.”

The new target for downhill is Friday, Dec. 2.

Jahn-Smith said there were plenty of people on the hill Monday, happy to be back on the snow for the nordic opening and the first cross-country super camp.

The Upper trail system is the only section currently opened and early season conditions exist.

“Please ski with care,” said Jahn-Smith.

The weather forecasts predict at least 15 cm of snow between now and Saturday but the mountain needs 30 to 40 to open for safe skiing, said Brad Baker, SilverStar's director of operations. 

So far, SilverStar management is not concerned with the delay to the ski season even though the resort was open mid-November last year.

"I've been here 25 years and am finding that winter starts later but hangs on longer," said Baker.

He said a decision had already been made to keep the mountain open a week longer in April next year.



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