A.J. Leeming greets his online interviewer with a huge grin and a ski hill backdrop.
It’s a fitting visual for the uplifting mood around the local ski and snowboard scene.
“Hey, you gotta celebrate. We’re open,” said the senior manager of programs and services with Conservation Halton Friday morning, in the wake of the much-welcomed season start at Glen Eden. “For those people who are having a bit of a hangover about how ugly last year’s winter was, we’re a month ahead of where we were, which is phenomenal.”
Having missed both the Christmas holidays and March Break last season, the local ski and snowboard centre is now enjoying its earliest opening in a decade.
That’s due in part to further investments to snow-making equipment – most notably a new ‘fan gun’ – which according to Leeming allows staff to do a “better job of making higher volumes of snow at more marginal temperatures.”
Today’s opening comes with access to both learning centres and the Updraft Chairlift for the Twister run. But with the snow guns now in full operation for the next 48 to 72 hours, an additional two or three hills are likely to open sometime this weekend.
“Right now we have really positive temperatures and weather patterns for our snow making team” said Leeming.
Adding to the good news for local skiers and snowboarders is the introduction of Glen Eden’s RFID card system, a significant automation enhancement that – as visitors are already finding out – drastically reduces wait time.
Said Leeming, “The speed to get from your car to the lift has been expedited incredibly. We’re doing our best to make sure you’re not waiting in lines for something you’ve already paid for… and away you go.”
Glen Eden regulars will also notice upgrades to the elevators and carriers, which along with being more dependable now also feature such niceties as music and sports updates.
Weekday passes will be honoured this opening weekend, while visitors will also enjoy a 25 per cent discount on a weekend pass tomorrow and Sunday.
“It’s our fun little way of celebrating the season start,” said Leeming.
Visit Glen Eden’s website for tickets, and follow its social media channels for hill openings and overall condition updates.