Thank you!

Another season is upon us and I wanted to take this Blog to thank all of those who have helped to get us doing what we all love so much!

Special thank you to all of the staff who have worked so hard through some tough circumstances.  Special thank you to three of our outside operations staff, Dana Bennedict, Jim Mealey and Justin Peters who gave up there Christmas Day with their families to make snow and get the mountain groomed for boxing day.  Weather has been tough and it was quite an effort to pull it off.  Please take the time to thank them if you get the chance.

Thank you to the countless volunteers who assisted us during the off-season to complete a number of projects around the ski area.  From painting, brushing and just general clean up it was a huge help.  Searchmont is operated by a Not-For-Profit Board that has put in countless hours to keep Searchmont operational and moving forward toward a bright future and would not be operating today without such great volunteer commitment.  Thank you.

Finally, thank you to all the supporters who buy their passes early every year, sponsor various events or simply offer words of encouragement and/or support.  That support is essential to getting the facility open every year and following difficult snow years like we experienced last season it really means something.

THANK YOU!!!

Record Snowfall Advances Opening Day!

38cm is a new Sault record and the largest snowfall to hit Searchmont in years.  In fact we didn't receive that much snow in the entire month of December 2011 and it's very close to beating the total for January of last season.

We are in real good shape for a solid December 26th opening.

Temperatures are taking a dive tonight and look good for the next week and then some.  Snowmakers will be going hard to provide the best conditions possible.  Our focus will be on the main and then we will shift all 22 guns on the Goulais.

As we did last season we will open as much terrain as possible with natural conditions.  If you are like me that provided some of the best skiing all year and I can't wait to hit it again.  Don't get me wrong, I love the groomed stuff but we all benefit from a little off piste shredding.

Not long now so stay tuned.

Warm Weather Returns

Temperatures well above seasonal rolled in last night.  We attempted to make snow but that was abruptly halted as the temperatures climbed 5 degrees in an hour.  More warm weather today but it looks like we may get a window this weekend.  The good news is there is a lot of snow in the forecast.  Keep it coming!!!!

Special thank you to the students of Sault College's Adventure Recreation Construction Techniques program for giving us a hand last week.  The students help prepare the Lodge roof for roofing repairs planned for next week.  They were a HUGE! help and we greatly appreciate it.

December 21st Opening Day

Another warm stretch has arrived in the Searchmont Valley with temperatures expected around 0 degrees later today.  This is expected to hang around through the weekend before some more seasonal temperatures return for early next week.

We are making snow at every opportunity and still look for a December 21st opening day.

Snowmaking has not been without it's difficulties.  In addition to some crazy swings in temperatures we had to deal with an air pipe which split causing a loss of system pressure.  This was not an easy repair based on it's location and definitely caused some missed snowmaking opportunities but has now been fixed and we are fully operational.

There have been some cold temperatures but they seem to be coming in very short stretches.  We have seen a couple of instances where the temperature has swung by as much as 8 degrees in one hour.  Crazy!!!  In addition there have been variances in temperature from top of the mountain to the bottom of as much as 5 degrees and that's warmer at the top!!!

The forecast looks good and we will be fully at it whenever possible.

Stay tuned!  It won't be long now.

Dan

We are 95% open but still struggling with weather

Weather continues to be the story this winter.  We have had some incredible days on the mountain and snow conditions on the groomed runs have really been quite good.  I find it tough getting truly ramped up when the trees are bare, the snow turns dirty and the air is damp.  That being said once you get sliding it really is not bad.

I managed a few runs this morning and the groomed terrain off the Triple Chair and the Slalom are fantastic.  I ventured off the groomed stuff to the Goulais and the Melville and had a blast.  These runs were unbelievable when we had that dump of snow last weekend but I really didn't know what to expect today.  I was pleasantly surprised!!  The runs on that side have bumped up nicely and are really a lot of fun to ski.  Rough in spots but really a fun ride.  The snow coverage also remains quite good.

The problem we are faced with is whether to groom those areas.  There is just enough snow in most areas to run a groomer.  The problem lies with the drainage ditches.  Those of you that have skied over there know what I'm talking about.  They can pose a real challenge.  There is just not enough snow to fill them so when groomed they can present a real danger.  Groomed terrain usually means higher speeds and someone going into that ditch at the bottom of the Goulais at speed would probably not fair too well.

The solution may very well be to leave as is and hope for snow!!  Stay tuned and enjoy the bump skiing while it's here.  It is fun!!!!

Double to Open on Saturday!

It has been another tough week for weather with a substantial rain falling on the mountain on Monday.   Special thanks to all of those who skied all of the natural terrain last weekend.  With that terrain being skied out and packed I actually think the rain helped matters.  We did lose some snow but the added moisture helped set-up a pretty good base once the temperatures dropped.  A little fresh snow on top and things should be pretty good.

We experienced a main water line break in our snowmaking system last weekend as well.  Special thanks to the outside operations crew (Justin, Jimmy, Dana and Lindsey), Jeff Priddle and the guys from Fecteau Excavating for their help in getting that issue resolved.

It was particularly interesting watching a shovel operate on the downhill terrain.  All we need now are some cold temperatures.

The Double will run on Saturday.  I do not expect the top of the Melville under the double chair will be in great shape but it certainly is ski able.  Just not a lot of snow up there particularly near the Amy Lauren Race Start.  Snowmakers will do what they can on Sunday when temperatures return to normal.

We will be moving some of the parking lot snow this morning to the base area to try to fill in some of the ditches in that area.  Need to grab snow from wherever possible.  All runs will be open but it is only the runs off of the Triple and the Slalom that will be groomed.  All other terrain is natural and care should be taken as natural and man-made hazards do exist.  With any luck at all we will see a little snow and fun will be had by all!

See you on the mountain!

More terrain now OPEN.

Finally some fresh snow and cold temperatures allowed for the opening of the Slalom yesterday.  We also opened up the rest of the mountain with 'natural conditions' including the Goulais and Melville which can be accessed from the 3x4 off the main.

We tried extremely hard to have the double running this weekend but a lack of snow at the top of the double, particularly by the Amy Lauren Race Start prevented that from happening.  We fully expect the Double to operate next weekend.

The fresh snow was a blessing for sure but we were not without our challenges this week.  Thursday night we experienced a main line water break on the Melville.  This will require some digging to repair but we expect to have that completed before this next wave of warm weather passes.  This break also contributed to the lack of snow on the top of the double as that line is required to make snow in that area.

On a positive note it has been really great seeing the number of kids on the mountain over the past couple of weeks.  Snow School Programs continue to become busier and busier which is a great sign for the future.

The warm spell is to last for several days but we will be sure to jump back on snowmaking with the intent of getting the Goulais, Melville and Champs open as soon as possible.  With any luck we will see more of the fresh stuff as well.

Conditions remain excellent despite lack of snow

Hats off to our Outside operations Crew for the conditions we have experienced over the past couple of weeks.  Not only have they been battling a lack of natural snow temperatures refuse to cooperate consistently for snowmaking.

Guns were able to fire up on Friday and have continued around the clock.  It is possible we will see the top of Herb's Meadow open sometime today and we will be pushing hard to have the Double running next weekend with the Slalom.

Nothing beats the fresh stuff and I know it's been said over and over but we are due!

Visitation has been down of course but we are excited about the number of kids on the slopes and in our children's programs.  Their enthusiasm for sliding makes you remember what is great about this sport.  No matter how much snow is on the ground nothing beats the sensation and freedom of sliding down the mountain.

More terrain off of the Triple now open!

Dana spent some time yesterday in the groomer trying to get more runs open off the Triple chair.  Both Binder Twine (to the left off of the chair) and the top of Herb's Meadow (to the right) are now open.

More width was also added to the middle section, below the middle head wall which makes a huge difference through that section of the mountain.

We are close on the remaining section of Herb's Meadow but a little light on snow through the area affectionately known as high road/low road.  A ditch below that section requires more snow.  One more good night of cold weather and we should have all of the runs off of the Triple open.

Night skiing again tonight along with our first $9.95 Friday night of the season.  Watch for an accommodation special for the remainder of January.  For reservation booked before Sunday, January 8th you receive 20% off chalet and villa rates.  Call 705-781-2340 ext. 0 for details and availability.

The skiing and riding is good!  If you haven't made it out yet don't wait!

Poma - back in operation. Vandalism on the Mountian

Slightly warmer temperatures today which should make for a very comfortable day on the mountain.  Conditions continue to improve and snowmaking is going all out.  We expect to see some more terrain opening on Friday.

Special thank you to our lift mechanics Karl Hult, Justin Peters and Jim Mealey for their hard work in returning the Poma lift to operation.  Also a huge thank you to RoVon Steel for an incredible turn around on the repair.  The Poma could have easily been out of service for a week if not for their hard work.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

On a very frustrating note.  More vandalism of chair seats on the Triple Chair occured over the past couple of days.  Profanity was found punched into the seats with the tips of ski poles.  Damages are approaching a thousand dollars so far as each cushion is over 100 dollars to replace.  We ask your assistance in keeping a look out for individuals causing this damage and ask that you please report any suspicious behaviour to a staff member. 

Searchmont welcomes Laurentian University for their five day ski program with the Searchmont Snow School.

Thank you and see you on the mountain.

Conditions improving by the day and Poma lift issue

Snow conditions are getting better and better every day and with the cold temperatures more runs are coming soon.  We are blowing snow to finish the main full width and to finish some of the jumps for the terrain park.  If temperatures we should definately see some more terrain in a day of two.

Please note that the Poma surface lift servicing the Learning Center will not be operational today. Lift Mechanics discovered a mechanical problem which was causing significant wear to a key component of the lift. Continued operation in that state would have caused irreversible damage and a very costly repair. The decision was made to remove from service and get it fixed immediately. We expect it back in service sometime tomorrow or Thursday.  It was a tough decision but in the end there really was no choice.  Our friends at Ro-Von Steel are completing the necessary repairs and lift mechanics will get it back in service as soon as the component returns.

We have been asked to use a snowmachine with a rope to pull skiers up the Poma but this is unfortunately not going to be possible.  There are simply two many risks in doing that with beginner skiers and snowboarders and particularly small children.  If you have ever seen the number of people falling off the Poma lift on a normal day you can image the problems that may occur with pulling people on a snow machine in close proximity to one another.

Remember we are open all week 9:30 am to 9 pm.

Finally some snow!

Sorry for a couple of days of missed posts everyone (especially you Brian) things are always busy when we get under way and it was sure nice to see some activity.

Conditions were a little rough opening day but I think considering the weather that staff have had to deal with it was pretty good.  By all accounts the fresh snow dramatically improved conditions on Sunday and after being groomed last night should be even better today.

Thanks to the band Porter for putting on a great show for the 200+ who attended the New Years celebration on Saturday night.

A special thank you to all of the staff who managed to pull together getting things open on Saturday.  With this kind of weather and the delayed opening there should be no surprise that it really puts a strain on resources.  Many staff returned more than a month later than normal as a result and had a couple of days to get things together for opening, work that can take weeks.  We had our expected challenges but really it was amazing what they were able to pull together.  Thank you everyone!!!

We are open all week 9:30am to 9:00pm so get out here and find your snow legs!