Beyond annual losses -- the 2001-02 program was expected to lose $335,000 before it was cancelled last January -- there are too many other problems to be overcome.

Weather is the single most obvious one. It's clear that we have continuing weather instability, with winter thaws, rain or lack of snow altogether. The ski hills at Chedoke were scheduled to open yesterday afternoon. After a 48-hour thaw (including rain for most of one day) and then a sudden overnight freeze, what wasn't bare grass on the hills was covered with vicious ice.

Weather uncertainty is compounded by antiquated snowmaking equipment. City staff estimated three years ago that updating snowmaking and lift equipment would cost between $2 million and $3 million. Given current budget constraints, that's simply not going to happen, and so the facility will deteriorate even further. Source.

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