A batch of fresh snow on Wednesday was a welcome sight for those who are eager to see Marble Mountain open for business, but it wasn’t enough for management at the hill to move opening day up a few days.
Richard Wells, sales and marketing manager for Marble Mountain, said there was a fair amount of snow that fell Wednesday but unfortunately the wind blew the snow into the trees and there’s still some free water running on the mountain so skiers and snowboarders will have to wait until Saturday to get in their first run of the season.
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Marble Mountain not opening Wednesday as previously hoped
Wells said there are a lot of bare spots on the trails from water moving down the hill as a result of a recent mild spell so there was no way management could look at opening the hill earlier.
There are 14 snowguns going full tilt at Marble in an effort to get the hill ready for Saturday. Wells said it’s important for the public to keep in mind that Marble has limited snowmaking capacity when compared to White Hills in Clarenville having 50 snowguns and other spots in Atlantic Canada having 100 for resorts half the size of Marble Mountain.
Typically, Wells said it takes 4-5 weeks for snowmaking, but Marble has only had the snowguns working for six days now and it takes about 40 minutes before they are moved to another area.
Crews at the hill will be working long hours to ensure the hill opens Saturday and Wells has no worries about making it happen.
“Saturday is a go. Mark my words,” he said.
