NZsnowboard.com

5th January 2007

Snow conditions in Canada and the US continue to be largely divided between the ?haves? in the West and the ?have nots? in the East. Ski areas along the continent?s Pacific coast continue to receive healthy snow falls which set pre-Christmas snow depth records at resorts like Whistler in British Columbia whilst in the East Blue Mountain resort in Ontario, the largest of the province?s near 100 ski and snowboard resort, has had to close on some days due to the warm temperatures and is currently struggling to get two runs open using machine made snow.

Blue Mountain spokeswoman Kelly O'Neil told local media that the resort took a 40-per-cent hit in bookings over Christmas and was forced to refocus its attention onto non snow based activities.

About a third of Ontario?s resorts are open with some claiming that, as in many parts of the Alps, it?s not actually as bad on the slopes as media reports suggest, leading to a misperception amongst the general public and dramatic falls in business.

It?s a similar picture on the East Coast of Canada and the US although there have been minor snowfalls and low temperatures in many areas in recent days allowing for more resorts, lifts and runs to open across Quebec and New England. Most are now making snow 24 hours a day and aiming to have all or most lifts and runs operational by New Year.

In the US on the West Coast a winter storm dropped almost two feet of new snow on Mammoth Mountain over Tuesday and Wednesday. The snowfall is a welcome reprieve from a relatively dry start to the winter season and with the Town of Mammoth Lakes booked through the New Years holiday, the storm hit just in time.

The powerful storm was accompanied by winds of up to 70 mph forcing limited operations on the California Ski Area on Wednesday morning. Winds died down by mid-day and 14 lifts were operating. Forecasters are predicting an additional foot of snow by the time the system leaves the area. Once it clears, Mammoth expects to be in full operation for the first time this season. The resort is currently reporting a base depth of 36-48 inch base with plenty of fresh snow for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy.

The pacific storm also left another two feet of fresh snow on Squaw Valley's upper mountain setting up superb conditions for the coming long weekend. To date this season, Squaw Valley USA has received 121 inches or over 10 feet of snow on the upper mountain. Current base depths measure 54-82? inches on the upper elevations.
Squaw Valley currently has 20 lifts open, offering skiers and riders the most terrain and lift access in Lake Tahoe.

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