Operators confident as Marble Mountain remains on track to open in new year

The recent snowfall on Newfoundland's west coast is helping keepMarble Mountain on track for aJan. 7 start to the season, say the resort's operators.

While the opening date is still weeks away, staffare working to deploy snow-making machines to help blanket the 240-acre resort.

Operations managerRichard Wells told CBC News there's a lot of work to be done, and while some extra snow leading into the new year would help, he doesn't foresee any issueshitting the Jan. 7 mark.

"Mother Nature definitely still needs to provide a littlebit more support, but the recent snowfall allowed us to get a lot of our infrastructure out onto the mountain," he said.

"We've got 17 snow guns, the bulk of which are actually older than me. Seventeen is not a lot by any means, so we've got to be very smart in our decision-making in the snow-making aspect of it, which is a science and an art in itself."

Wells said he's confidentthe business willbe able to produce quality conditions on the mountain, despite aprovincial government cut to thebudget this year.

The province tabled about $700,000 in itsbudget for the Crown corporation that operates the business. In total$306,400 will be used for "operational repairs and maintenance funding for the Marble Mountain Development Corporation," and $400,000 will be used to purchase or replace infrastructure.

How will Marble Mountain work this season? Here's a sneak peek:

What will Marble Mountain look like this year?

4 years ago

Duration 2:53

Richard Wells, inside operations manager at the Marble Mountain ski resort, walks us through what to expect this season, as the site adjusts to COVID-19 pandemic requirements.

"Obviously we're all going through a pandemic and cost saving is very important for every business now. We didn't incur the same budget that we have in recent years but that's not to say that we still won't put forward a great product. Most people won't know the difference," he said.

"Perhaps the snow making won't go as long or as heavy and won't focus so much on the terrain parks, for example. Not to say we're not going to have it, but some of those services are slightly reduced."

Atlantic bubble bump

As it stands, Newfoundland and Labrador will not be rejoining the Atlantic bubble until at least the new year, announced by Premier Andrew Furey at a COVID-19 briefing earlier this month.

But that could work out just fine for the ski resort.

If the province remains out of the bubble through the winter, Wells said, the effects could be similar to what was witnessed over the summer, with outdoor businesses selling outmountain bikes as people embraced outdoor activities.

"You could not buy, across Canada even, a mountain bike because families were out enjoying what they're able to do," he said.

"We foresee the same thing with skiing this year. We've been getting a lot of inquiries. Pass sales are right on par where they need to be."

Still, Wells said the business is looking forward to the extra customers,if and when the province does rejoin the bubble.

"We do foresee Marble Mountain being at or near capacity. We know that we're the best ski hill, or one of the bestski hills,east of the Rockies," he said.

"So we're expecting a lot of Atlantic Canadians to make the trek."

Read morefrom CBC Newfoundland and Labrador