Searchmont Resort: Weather Conditions and Long-Term Sustainability
December 22, 2015 – Due to extremely unfavourable weather conditions, Searchmont Resort is seeking assistance from the community to help sustain operations for the 2015 – 16 season. Unseasonably high temperatures have resulted in the pushing back of opening day, which in the grand scheme of things means Searchmont Resort will miss out on the Christmas Holidays – a period that historically amounted to 20% of our annual income.
Even without natural snow, snow-making requires sustained temperatures of -4C over 2-3 consecutive days. We are monitoring forecasts and day to day temperatures, but the future outlook remains unfavourable.
While the hill is in the best shape it’s ever been in, heading in to the season, the reality is that a combination of several factors out of our control have made the 2015-16 season an uphill battle. And we are not alone. Nubs Nob, Boyne, Blue Mountain – every hill in the east – is in a similar situation to Searchmont Resort. Natural snow is limited, and without world-class snow making equipment, blowing artificial snow would only be for the purpose of making bigger puddles.
If there is one definitive in this situation, it is that snow and favourable temperatures will arrive, eventually. We want nothing more than to give the dedicated and passionate fan base of Searchmont Resort the chance to ski on the hill when it is at its best. For now, however, we are looking to the community for support.
A fundraiser will be held leading up to and through the New Year which will be dedicated solely to offsetting costs accumulated throughout the offseason and expenses that otherwise would not have been a concern if we were able to open on the planned date of December 12th . In addition to fundraising efforts, the decision has been made to go forward with plans to host our annual New Year’s Celebration – again, funds generated from the event are dedicated to ensuring we are in a position to open the doors when conditions improve. Beyond this numerous events and avenues already exist for you, the community to show your support for Searchmont Resort. First and foremost, members of our sales team will be selling season passes, gift cards, and six packs in the Station Mall at the following dates and times:
Monday December 21st: 5:00PM – 9:00PM
Tuesday December 22nd: 10:00AM – 8:30PM
Wednesday December 23rd: 10:00AM – 8:30PM, and;
Thursday December 24th: 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Searchmont is also running the Have-a-Seat campaign, offering advertising space on chair-lift chairs to businesses and organizations. For more information on pricing and availability contact Steve Hollingshead at Steve@Searchmont.com. Beyond current donation and support opportunities, Searchmont is open to any and all ideas including title sponsorships, naming rights, and more.
We welcome your ideas, donations, and support with open arms and many thanks. We need your support, and we welcome your advice. Our mission has not and will not change – we want to make Searchmont Resort a hill to be proud of – the premier alpine skiing and snowboarding experience in the east. To make donations, show your support, or even to offer us advice and feedback, contact Colin Wilson – General Manager of Searchmont Resort – directly at Colin@Searchmont.com. On behalf of the Searchmont Resort team, thank you, to you the community, for your continued support. We cannot stress enough that we have done everything in our power to make Searchmont Resort ready for you this season.
