Snow Wars and Mont St. Louis Moonstone

Today is January 27, 2017. Temperatures are 38 degrees farenheit, without any snow in over two weeks. We are far above water freezing temperatures and have been for over a week. There is no snow in the GTA region. Only rain. Remarkably, the local Ontario mountain operators have been able to keep skiers gainfully turning while the temperatures continue to rise.

Climate Change is now become the single most threatening force against the beautiful world of skiing as we know it. New ski resort developments will be reaching further north, or looking for north east exposures such as in the Balsams, in New England where Les Otten is planning to put his money. Vail Resorts has recently purchased Whistler/Blackcomb as a hedge against climate chage and snow fall. Right here in southern Ontario, one family operated operation Mount St. Louis Moonstone www.mountstlouis.com continues its practice of Kai Zen and continually self improves itself and outsmarts the impacts of global warming by making snow where no old school operator has tried before.

There are many factors in managing a modern ski resort. Operators need to maintain modern terrain parks, with all the jumps and pipes and parks. The learning public requires certified snow school instruction, modern facilities, tasteful amenities,machine grooming and ease of access. The Huter family, the owners of Mont St. Louis Moonstone are one of the original Austrian families (think Jozo Weider of Blue Mountain the other)  who pioneered downhill skiing and instruction in Ontario. They have been relentless in their investment in this small local mountain and have had great foresight in improving the enterprise. From adding garbage and landfill to the top of the mountain to increase its verticle, to aquiring its neighboring competitor, this ski operator makes skiing in Ontario a better place.

With my focus on climate change, I wanted to highlight the importance of artificial snow making and technology. Snow making is about producing snow when temperatures are below freezing to allow it, covering the areas that need it the most, and manicuring the slope so that bare spots are limited, and that snow coverage will last a full season to maximize revenues. Bare spots on a slope are like a warming cancer that spreads, so even coverage across the slope is important. Modern operators use satellite imaging to determine snow depth and even it out when necessary. With the latest snow making technology equipment this mountain has been able to produce more snow, in less cold days, allowing them to out perform mother nature. The amount of snow that used to be produced in 500 hours of correct temperatures can now be made in 300 hours, and that is the solution to keeping skiers moving.

With the addition of night skiing in 2014, more pressure has been placed on the snow making and grooming equipment. Climate change is affecting our ability to enjoy the winter like we used to. Ingenuity, determination and strategic planning is what we will need to manage climate change and persevere skiing in Southern Ontario, Enjoy skiing in the east while you can, because with the exponential curve of climate change, our days may be limited.


Think Green,


The Adventure Guy