Sudbury's warm weather worries some snow sport enthusiasts

A warm winter is expected this year and that's bad news for those in the winter sporting industry.

Laurentian nordic cross-country ski club member Alison Godwin said the group has had to push back the start dates for some of its ski lessons because of the lack of snow. She's worried the warmer temperatures might limit the skiing season to more experienced skiers.

"The biggest problem at this point is, if we get snow followed by rain, it turns the snow into kind of an icy playground and that's not the best environment to have beginner skiers in," she said.

"That limits who can come and ski. The hardcore experienced skiers can probably still get out."

Godwin said her group has become creative, looking to offer running, orienteering, and shelter-building activities on the trails until the snow falls.

The lack of snow has not dampened the spirits of snowmobile salesperson Chuck Breathat.

"We definitely hear the people grumbling. They say, 'maybe I should be buying an ATV instead of a snowmobile.' But they turn around and go look at the snowmobiles instead," he said.

Breathat, who is also president of the local trail group Sudbury Trail Plan, said die-hard snowmobilers have faith the season will still be a good one.

"Winter comes every year. So we know we're going to ride."

Godwin agrees.

"I think that's the nature of any kind of business that relies on snow. You have good years and you have bad years," she said.

"Certainly this looks like it could be a very bad year."

But Godwin said since the trails are well-maintained during the summer, her groupwon't need much snow to pack the trails "to offer some sort of marginal skiing conditions."

• Downhill for northeast region's ski hills including Sudbury slopes