Ski hills face loss of holiday business

Some Sudbury ski hills could lose the lucrative holiday business this yearbecause of a long run of snowless weather.

A lack of snow has already delayed opening day at some ski hills.

And snow doesnt appear in Environment Canadas Sudbury forecast until Sunday, when flurries are possible.

Reinhart Moser, operator of Onaping Ski Hill, north of Sudbury, says if the forecast doesnt change, thiswill be the third Christmas season in a rowthat theweather hasnt come through for his business or local skiers.

""Years ago, when my dad started the place, come December, it was all snow," Moser said. "You never saw rain again until April. And now the last few years, you see rain in December, January, February, whichwas unheard of before."

Even hills with snow-making equipment have been set back by December days that have been either too dry or too mild. Opening day at Adanac in Sudbury has been postponed until at least late December. At Searchmont, in Sault Ste. Marie, the lifts are also idle, although they mightstart up later this week.

Ski hills farther north have had better luck. Kamiskotia resort in Timmins and Remi Ski Hill in Moonbeam have already opened, and Laurentian in North Bay plans to welcome skiers this Thursday.

Moser says his snow groomer, affectionately known as Big Foot, is tuned up, ready toroll as soon as some significant snow falls at Onaping. Although its hard to pick up from a poor holiday season, Moses knows he cant do much but wait.

"You've got to live with it," he said. "You are like a farmer. You live with it and die with it."