Marble Mountain busy making snow for opening next week

Newfoundland and Labrador's biggest ski resort didn't open on Boxing Day this year as planned, but management says skiers should be able to hit the slopes in the first week of 2016.

Marble Mountain is taking advantage of the cold temperatures this week, installing snow making machines around the hill to try toget the season started.

The last time Marble opened on Boxing Day was two years ago, and general manager Chris Beckett wishes the hill could have repeated that this year.

"We would love to be open for Christmas because people have time off, they have new ski and snowboard equipment or gear," he said.

"Unfortunately Mother Nature is not cooperating this year, but we will be open as soon as we can."

Beckett says the hill will be open late next week, and it'salmost ready for skiers and snowboarders.

"We need to make these big piles of snow and then we need to groom it all out so that it's safe for people to ski and snowboard and get some safety equipment on the mountain and then we'll be ready to go," he said.

"I'm a skier myself and getting on the mountain is a lot of fun. I love seeing people with their families enjoying the skiing and snowboard as well. We are really excited and the team is working really hard to get open."