Spring on the slopes
P.E.I. ski park prepares for March break fun despite weather challenges
BROOKVALE, P.E.I. – Staffers at P.E.I.'S Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park are preparing trails to welcome guests for the upcoming March break.
The park opened for the season back in January, and with the official arrival of spring, eight downhill trails are operational at the moment, while the nordic trails remain closed due to insufficient snow conditions this season.
This year's March break in the province is March 2228, followed by the Easter weekend starting with Good Friday on March 29.
Erin Curley, the park's superintendent, said the plan is to keep the alpine site open every day throughout March break until Easter Monday, though this might change based on the daily weather conditions.
“It does sound like we're in for a little bit of a mixed bag of weather this weekend. We're still pretty hopeful, though, the way we see temperatures at night dropping down below freezing. We're able to groom things out and get them ready for the next day,” Curley told Saltwire in an interview March 21.
“So, I'm still hopeful that we'll be able to get as much of the March break as possible in starting tomorrow.”
WEATHER NOT ALWAYS CO-OPERATING
Curley said the ski park's main challenge this season, as in previous years, has been the weather. There were days, like March 21 when Saltwire dropped by, that the park was closed due to wet weather conditions in order to preserve the snow by keeping people off the trails.
“Every season is a challenge with the weather. As always, this has been no different. But having said that, we've had a great season up to this point, and lots of customers enjoying the slopes and trails. … But the weather's not always co-operating for sure,” said Curley.
The park has relied on 16 snow makers this season to produce artificial snow for the alpine site and make sure there's enough snow to keep the site operational until the end of the season.
“Pretty well all the snow you're seeing out there now is man-made snow,” said the park’s superintendent, pointing to the downhill trails.
The past few months, she has noticed there appears to be an increase in visitors to the ski park, perhaps influenced by the 2023 Canada Winter Games in P.E.I., Curley said. More people seem to be aware of the park and are interested in experiencing what it has to offer. She looks forward to the official visitor numbers once a report is available.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Tristan Mitchell, a regular visitor to the Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park this winter, said it's been a tough ski season for him.
“I just found that the weather really hasn't co-operated very well to create ideal snow conditions. It seems to be a hit or miss on the conditions of the slopes,” the Charlottetown resident said in an interview on March 21.
“I would say that I feel like (the staff) do a great job in serving, and despite when conditions are bad, I typically have a good time.”
Mitchell, who moved to P.E.I. four years ago, has enjoyed skiing at the park during the winter seasons. But the lack of snow and the warming winter temperatures have caused him concern about climate change and its impact on the sport he loves.
“As a skier, it kind of makes me worried about the future of the sport and the future of ski parks like Brookvale. You know, because it's hard for a winter sport facility when we're getting such variable winter conditions. And what could this mean for the future of Brookvale or, you know, the future of ski enthusiasts here in P.E.I.?”
As for Curley, she is hoping more Prince Edward Islanders will come out and visit the park during March break.
“There’s a misconception that because there's no snow in your yard, there's probably none here. But as you can see behind me, there's tons of snow in the hills. And I do expect to have some really great conditions. It's definitely a softer spring condition going forward. But it's still a great time to get out. And I encourage Islanders to enjoy what's left of the winter.”