Mother Nature is doing her job helping the Apex Mountain Resort get ready for Dec. 7.
That’s when the public can hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding and general manager James Shalman said things are looking good. The mountain is getting the right amount of snowfall hoped for at this time.
They are also busy making snow top to bottom as Shalman said temperatures have been good. A base over 75 centimetres gets them closer to where they want, said Shalman. As of Nov. 19, Apex’s website reports the base at 64 cm and received 51 cm of new snow over the last seven days and 12 cm over 24 hours.
Before opening to the public, national team members are hitting the runs the mogul and aerial course for their training.
“Things of note this year that are a little bit more fun, we have the Russian Olympic (aerial) team coming,” he said.
They will also host the Japanese, Canadian and U.S. team from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15.
Apex Mountain is also hosting mogul teams with the Canadian team already on site. About 200 athletes are expected from the U.S. and Canada arriving Nov. 20.
Apex Mountain Resort is also hosting events such as the Canadian selection camp for the national team, the Timber Tour series, which the Apex Freestyle Club competes in and the GS Super G for B.C. Alpine.
While the resort gets publicity in hosting these teams, Shalman said there is another benefit.
“It also is a good revenue stream early season when all the other mountains are closed,” said Shalman, who added that employees can get familiar with doing their jobs. “We have such a short season really. Our operating season is essentially only four months long. This extends things by almost another month. It definitely makes a difference and helps out for sure.”
Apex Mountain Resort is on track for another great season and sales of season passes are up 10 per cent. That figure pleases Shalman, who travelled to Seattle, Portland and the Lower Mainland to generate outside interest.
Shalman has been selling potential customers on the hill’s accommodations as well as ice skating adventure loop, hockey rink and tube park.
“People are eating up Canadian resorts when we come,” he said.