Rainy conditions may put a damper on this year’s opening day at the Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR), which is only four sleeps away.
The constant flow of recent rain in the Elk Valley might have some wondering whether their first powder-tear of the year will be delayed.
Environment Canada is reporting that the region will be experiencing rain, sun, and mild temperature conditions all the way through the weekend.
FAR’s Nov. 30 Snow Report, which was updated at 11:11 a.m. and was taken from the Bear Weather Plot at 1615 metres, says that they received zero centimetres overnight, or in the last 48 hours. In the last 7 days, the report says they received 62 centimetres, with the same number reported as the base amount. For the whole season so far, 178 centimetres total are reported.
There is little snow at the bottom of the hill, and what snow does appear on the lower sections does not look ski-or-board friendly. When The Free Press was at the hill around 11 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 30, the rain was still falling.
Matt Mosteller, senior vice president with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR), said in an email that the resort’s team is “doing everything they can to work with what Mother Nature delivers us.”
“With that it is a ‘day-by-day’ situation as locals know the weather in Fernie can change hourly and the Griz can make it happen!”
“So best to check website for updates as we will post latest info on website and Snow Report once teams make their decisions.”
The Nov. 30 Snow Report says that opening day is set for Saturday (Dec. 4), conditions permitting.
READ MORE: ‘The ski hill here is just fantastic’: ski season around the corner
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