Mission Ridge making snow for opening day

Mission Ridge isn’t relying on Mother Nature to ensure there’s enough snow for opening day.

The ski hill, located just outside of Fort Qu’Appelle, is currently making their own snow to ensure there is enough for all the runs to be open on opening day.

“We like to put about 24 to 36 inches across the entire area,” Anders Svenson, snow school director, said. Svenson said they are “about 65 per cent done” since starting the process on Dec. 5.

The snow is made by using 25 different machines that shoot out water into the air at a high pressure and it freezes to create the snow.

“It’s an art form,” Svenson said.

Saskatchewan has received some frigid temperatures recently, but Svenson says it’s actually helped move the process along. The volume of snow that they make increases as it gets colder.

“Obviously once we’re open then we’re the same as everyone else in Saskatchewan, we just want that -5 and sunny.”

While the cold temperatures may cause a bit of a drop in business, Svenson said weather hasn’t been too much of a factor.

“If you dress properly for it, you can still enjoy yourself.”

Mission Ridge is set to open on Dec. 16.