Winter recreation options get a boost

Frank PEEBLES

reach with snow making this year,” said HHWC spokesperson Jess Hudson. “(Today) will be our last day of the season and our 100th day – a new record. The snow storm was unexpected and great but we had already planned to shut, given hill conditions last week and allowing our staff to have Easter with their families.”

The 100 days of operation were not only a smashing of the old records, it was also a stark contrast to the most recent years of HHWC life. Last winter the Winslow Drive facility was only able to open on 17 days, the year before that it was a 27-day season and in 2014-15 the Hart lifts ran for just 39 days.

Then came their snowmaking ma- chine, and that turned their fortunes around, in combination with the weather.

“We would not of been able to open until probably close to February without the snow making,” Hudson said. “We have not had to use or make snow since February. We did not get the machine till late in the fall so this coming year, as soon as we get minus-10 we will start making snow and hopefully open even sooner.”

The Otway Nordic Ski Centre (ONSC) was also starting to put away their equipment for the year, but they hauled it all right back out on Friday morning just in time for a groundswell.

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It was blue, sunny skies, it was a long weekend’s Friday, and the school district’s spring break was still in full effect.

“Sorry, we’ve got a wave of people here, I’ll have to get someone to call you back,” said whomever answered the phone in mid-afternoon. A few hours later it was general manager John Bowes who rang back with the good news.

This weekend will now have an annual Easter event like none other at Otway.