Ski hills still open despite spring-like weather
Poley Mountain manager says you may not have snow in your backyard, but hill conditions are 'perfect'
Many backyards in southern New Brunswick are free of snow, but the manager of Poley Mountain boasts his ski hill near Sussex actually has great conditions for March break skiers.
"Yesterday was probably one of the best skiing days we had all winter — the sun was out, we had made a lot of snow in the past week and everything was just perfect," Bill Anderson said on Wednesday morning.
- Poley Mountain ski hill opens new, larger lodge
- Crabbe Mountain opens for the season under new ownership
Eight of 32 trails at Poley Mountain are open, as of Wednesday, and Anderson hopes to remain open for at least a couple more weeks, thanks to the hill's snow-making machines.
"This winter has been up and down, but the skiing hasn't been bad," Anderson said.
"Skiers understand that we're doing the best we can with the weather. One day we had a wind chill of minus 35 and the next day it was plus 15."
Anderson says the mild spells have meant Poley has closed more times than it normally would, but with good conditions for snow-making, the hill has recovered every time.
He hasn't decided yet on a closing date.
Crabbe Mountain, located between Fredericton and Woodstock, has 13 of 34 trails open, as of Wednesday, with snow in the forecast expected to improve conditions throughout the day, while all trails at Edmundston's Mont Farlagne are open.
Warmer than normal temperatures are expected for the spring according to Environment Canada.
Mild temperatures above 0 C are forecast across New Brunswick for the rest of the week.