Optimist Hill opening hinges on Mother Nature

While people have been flocking outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, the operators of Optimist Hill at Diefenbaker Park are anxiously awaiting the return of cooler days.

The first runs at the ski, snowboard and tubing park remain on hold until Mother Nature delivers cooler temperatures, co-chair Rob Letts told the Brent Loucks Show.

“We need weather below -12 (Celsius) or colder just to get those snow guns working,” Letts said. “Once they get going, that will make a big difference in covering some of those areas that are still bare.

“A lot of people don’t realize that the heavy wind we had during the storm blew a lot of snow in some areas of the hill, but the top of the hill, (where) we have a lot of activity on, it’s actually quite bare.”

The blizzard in early November left Saskatoon with no shortage of snow. However, it’s snow that can’t be used on the hill.

“Any of the snow that comes from city streets we cannot use because it will have either sand or salt in it. That’s actually very detrimental to the hill,” Letts said.

“All that snow that we have at Optimist Hill ultimately drains into the river so we have to make sure any snow we get is clean snow. The city is helping us out. We’re able to get snow from the city rinks.”

Aside from getting the hill ready and constructing the second lift, Letts said the committee has been busy finalizing plans to comply with the provincial COVID-19 guidelines.

“Please be prepared for lots of changes. Be patient. Expect lineups,” said Letts.

“The good news is that we are going to have better ability to social-distance people. We’re going to be opening up our new terrain park with that second lift.”

The park is also preparing people to use their own vehicles to warm up while on the hill this winter. The chalet will be limited to 10 people at a time for a maximum of 10 minutes each.

Letts said if the weather co-operates, the committee hopes to have the hill open in time for Christmas.