An untimely lack of snow in parts of Newfoundland is cancelling outdoor events, squeezing economy

Whileeastern Newfoundland battles through another massivewinter storm and Cain's Quest drawsto a close in Labrador,other areas of the province are looking on with envy.

That is, of course, if snow is the one thing needed to get some annual events upand running.

Recent mild weather in central and western Newfoundland, coupled with rain,has stripped away a large portion of the snow on the ground, forcing organizers in Grand Falls-Windsor to postpone thepopular Mid-Winter Bivverand canceltwo snowmobile races in Corner Brook.

"A few weeks ago we recognized that we needed about four feet of snow and then we didn't get four, we lost more,"Glenn Green,president of Western Sno Riders snowmobile club, told CBC News on Friday. "So it's just getting worse and worse."

In late February, crews at Marble Mountain were tasked with digging out roughly600 tonnes of sand and rock after heavy raincaused a disastrous washout atthe ski resort.

Green said the season also started slow and trail groomers couldn't operate because of the lack of snow coverage.

WATCH | Drone footage from Darren Sacrey shows how bare the land is on popular snowmobile trails in western Newfoundland:

Annual snowmobile events are being cancelled due to a lack of snow in parts of Newfoundland

6 months ago

Duration 1:30

Eastern Newfoundland is weathering another blizzard, but other parts of the island are looking on with envy. Annual snowmobile events have been cancelled in western and central Newfoundland because there just isnt enough snow on the ground.

His events draw racers from outside of the province. A lot of money is spent on travelling and hotels, he said, making the call to cancel that much more difficult. Hundreds of people turn out, including the racers, their families, friends and fans.

"People depend on it, people look forward to it all year. So it's a really tough call to make for us," he said.

"The rain really put a mess in everything."

Further east, in Grand Falls-Windsor, Deputy MayorMike Browne said a lot has changed in a short period of time.

Two weeks ago things were looking fine. There was enough snow on the ground to run theMid-Winter Bivver a 100-kilometre snowmobile ride through Exploits Valley but two days of rain and mild temperatures put a stop to those plans.

"This year we had almost 80 registered," said Browne.

"We've had some cancellations over the COVID years but that would have been the only thing to cancel it in previous winters."

Browne said the impact of cancelling is a blow to the local economy. Hotel rooms are being cancelled. Gas stations and restaurants won't see the uptick in business.

"It is a big weekend in Grand Falls-Windsor, and has been, and unfortunately it's just not doable for this weekend," he said.

There's still a possibility the event could go ahead if the area sees enough snow this weekend.

Browne said it could take place in late March.

But other events in the area are facing the same fate.

Browne said the ski trail at Nordic Ski Club hasn't been usable for at least the last 10 days and a snow sculpture event held by the town has been cancelled.

Both Browne and Greensay they hope this year is just a one-off and things will be back to normal next season.

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