Cirkeline Bigom
Rossland News
The temperatures are warmer then normal and water is running down the roads in Rossland. This is an unusual winter and is far from how it usually is — the expectations on how the skiing should be is disappointing for both the tourists and the locals.
Warm temperatures and lack of snow have also affected the local race club, the Red Mountain Racers.
“We have had days where rainfall has forced us to cancel some training sessions, which means missing out on some mileage on snow we thought we would have,” says Michael Osatiuk, Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS), coach for the Red Mountain Racers.
Mother Nature hasn’t been with us so far. Luckily the resort got the snowmaking machine this year. The lack of snow made it a tough start to the season, nevertheless the alpine ski racers have still had success with the contribution of the new snowmaking machine.
“It is possible to get the mileage certain racers need to attain their personal goals. Athletes may have to train more at other venues in North America or Europe to make their goals attainable,” says Osatiuk.
With less snow and warmer temperatures than skiers are used to, how will the future look for the local racers if the winters look like this from now on?
Higher costs are expected in the future for upcoming ski racers who want to try to go all the way to the top. However, even with the unforgiving season so far, the racers have achieved good results in the competitions and are enjoying being on the snow.
“The freeze-thaw snow on the T-bar is actually great for race training. It’s super firm and doesn’t make training feel like we are at Red anymore,” says Soleil Patterson, FIS ski racer.