Ski hills ready for reduced restrictions ahead of upcoming season
With ski season just around the corner, ski operators hope this will be the longest season in two years as the province lifts capacity restrictions.
"Normally, we run for about a 100 day season here at Snow Valley, and we were only open for 38 days last year," said John Ball, the general manager of Snow Valley Resort. "Were hoping with the regulations that the Ontario government is putting forth, we will be able to open outside the way that it used to be."
On Wednesday, the province approved regulatory amendments that lift capacity limits for outdoor organized public events such as parades.
It also removed outdoor capacity limits in most other sectors, including ski hills and other outdoor recreational amenities.
"Having these regulations come for the coming ski season are important," said Tara Lovell, public relations manager with Blue Mountain Resort. "It helps us plan ahead and helps us look ahead to what is a more normal season at blue."
It is the news many were hoping for. The Ontario Snow Resorts Association told CTV News that the ski sector saw roughly 9,000 layoffs and 90-million dollars in lost revenue and expenses across the province due to lockdowns.
For ski resorts like Blue Mountain, the news means lifting capacity limits on chair lifts, but it also comes with challenges.
"We can get people back outside, back on the mountain and enjoying outdoor sport with their friends and family," said Lovell. "It's a challenge to make sure we have the teams…here at Blue to support will be high demand to get back on the hill."
Lovell says the Ontario Snow Resorts Association is reviewing the changes and will have more information later in the week as places like Snow Valley get ready to open in just six weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
NEW Kim Kardashian brand kids' sleepwear and more: Here are some recalls to watch out for
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Maple Leafs down Bruins 2-1 to force Game 7
William Nylander scored twice and Joseph Woll made 22 saves as the Toronto Maple Leafs downed the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday to force Game 7 in their first-round series.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Federal government to announce funding to help Toronto host six 2026 World Cup games
The federal government is set to announce funding to help Toronto host six matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Is your password 123456? Here's why you should make it stronger
With the sheer number of passwords needed today, it may come as no surprise that over 60 per cent of Canadians feel overwhelmed, and over a third reportedly forget their passwords monthly.
Three Quebec men from same family father hundreds of children
Three men in Quebec from the same family have fathered more than 600 children.