The ski seasons at both Snowhaven and Bald Mountain have been officially cancelled, impacting local communities reliant on winter sports. Snowhaven Ski Area, located near Grangeville, managed to open for just one weekend in January, while Bald Mountain, situated near Pearce, did not open at all this year. The situation has been exacerbated by unseasonably warm temperatures and rainstorms that have deprived these ski areas of the necessary snowfall.
Snowhaven made the announcement via social media, informing customers that season passes and punch cards purchased for this winter will be valid for the next ski season. Scott Wasem, the manager of Snowhaven, explained that while a recent storm did deliver some snow, the resort had lost much of its base, leaving areas exposed to dirt and grass.
Challenges Faced by Local Resorts
“We would have to reset the base and redo all the runs for the tubing hill,” Wasem stated. He added that the projected weather forecast indicates only a brief window of suitable conditions before temperatures rise again. “For the amount of work of starting back up when we lost our entire base, it just isn’t feasible,” he noted.
The ski area, owned by the city of Grangeville, is now shifting its focus to a remodel of the lodge. “We are trying to build the hill to better serve our customers and make it more friendly and inviting,” Wasem mentioned, highlighting plans to increase space for rentals, ski patrol, and storage.
Meanwhile, Chris Allen, president of the Clearwater Ski Club, confirmed that Bald Mountain’s season typically lasts only another two weeks. Given the current conditions, she stated, “It wouldn’t make sense to open, even if sufficient snow comes.”
In a bid to support future operations, Bald Mountain hosted a fundraising banquet last week, raising approximately $10,000. Allen expressed optimism about the contribution, saying, “We can put that in our savings account for next year’s insurance.”
The cancellation of the ski seasons at these local resorts illustrates the broader challenges facing the winter sports industry due to climate variability. As both Snowhaven and Bald Mountain navigate these difficult circumstances, they remain committed to providing better facilities and experiences for their customers in the future.
