Sucks the big one!
NEWS:
Mount Sima Closed for the Season
The Board of Directors for the Great Northern Ski Society are very sad to announce that the Mt. Sima ski facility will not be re-opening this season. This tough decision is in the best interest of the hill, the user groups, the staff and the public. Safety is the number one concern at the hill and the Board and staff have tried exhaustively to address many issues that would ensure the safe operation of the hill, but they are unable to finish all the work required to open, this season.
The Great Northern Ski Society is a non-profit organization and has used all of the limited resources available to try to address the variety of issues that have surfaced this year at Mt. Sima. At this point, proceeding is not practical or feasible. The lack of natural snow was the initial problem faced, and subsequent issues with the snow-making system, break-downs and equipment failure on the T-Bar compounded the challenges this year. Some of the problems have been caused by nature, while many of the maintenance issues have arisen because of a lack of consistent staffing over the years, and the limited resources available to a non-profit organization that is running a big business. This season’s issues are a culmination of a number of years’ problems, all coming to a head this season.
Mt. Sima and the Great Northern Ski Society will spend the rest of the winter doing a proper closure of the facility, addressing financial issues, and planning for a new season next year that will ensure safe equipment, staffing stability, operation/maintenance reviews, future planning, and making certain that all the partners are involved and satisfied with the way Mount Sima moves forward.
Ernie Berken, President would like to assure season pass holders and people who have bought punch cards and ski packages this season, that the Board will be looking at options for reimbursement, validating passes from this year for next, and other concerns of the membership in the next 30 days. The membership and the public will be notified as soon as all the options are reviewed and approved by the Board.
The Board is asking for patience and understanding from the community until they can properly close the facility and then have time to deal with all the financial and technical issues there are. The board would like to thank Gary McWaters, his staff, Sportslife and it’s staff, the GNSS membership, Canadian Ski Patrol System Yukon Zone, the user groups, businesses (especially our suppliers), and the Whitehorse community for their efforts and support in the past, now and in the future as Mt. Sima prepares for a new start next season. The City of Whitehorse and the Yukon Government have been involved in the discussions and decisions so far and the society is looking forward to a strong working relationship with both levels of government into the future.
Mt. Sima belongs to the community and it will take the full support of the community to see it operate successfully into the future. Please refer all inquiries to 668-4557 .
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Wow, I can’t believe the rumours actually came true. And this, the year I finally bought all new gear after 10+ years of rocking the old board. Oh well, better a closure than getting impaled by a chunk of the t-bar.
Check out Kite Yukon (kiteyukon.com) for an alternative method of getting to the top to the mountains. Who needs a chairlift or a sled when you can use the wind?
Kiteboarding? No way. The last thing I need is another expensive and dangerous sport to injure myself in! Kiteboarding is cool, but I’m scared of the consequences.
Tammy wrote - the first winter in the yukon sure has been a cold one. I thought at least I would be able to get out to the hill and enjoy some boarding - but not even that can last in the chilled outdoors. Great White North - hmmm….
That sucks. If you want, come down and join me at Kicking Horse Feb 22,23.