Kitchener ski hill operator 'shocked' province closed slopes during lockdown

Officials at Chicopee Ski Hill in Kitchener say they "shocked by the decision to close ski hills in Ontario"during the provincial lockdown.

In a statement on the ski hill's Facebook page, the operator says it was receiving positive messaging from the province.

"We were told as an industry that things were trending in a positive direction, and we could have expected good news," the statement said.

"Our local public health has been working closely with us and have been amazing supporters of everything we have done to prepare for your arrival."

Chicopee had hoped to open Dec. 19, but a lack of snow delayed that. Now, the ski hill plans to open on Jan. 23 but noted, "opening days are always a moving target with so many variables."

'Devastating' to operators, communities

Ontario announced on Mondaythat as of Boxing Day, the southern part of the province would be entering a 28-day lockdown. Ski hills must close, but parks, outdoor skating rinks andcross-country ski and snowshoe trails across Ontario will remain open.

Jim Hemlin, chief operating officer for the Calabogie Peaks Resort in Calabogie, Ont., told CBC Ottawa the decision will be "devastating to not only ourselves as operators, but to the communities."

Kevin Nichol, president of the Ontario Snow Resorts Association, said in a statement on the group's website that they had been working the province for months to prepare for the upcoming season.

"Despite investing heavily into this year's season to keep Ontarians safe, the government has decided to shutdown ski hills," Nichol said, noting golf courses were allowed to stay open in the warmer months.

"Thousands of resort employees are now furloughed and all Ontarians who enjoy downhill skiing won't be able to participate and will lose out on an activity that helps their physical and mental health."