Ski hills still open despite spring-like weather

Many backyards in southern New Brunswick are free of snow, but the manager of Poley Mountain boastshis ski hill near Sussex actually has greatconditions for Marchbreak skiers.

"Yesterday was probably one of the best skiing days we had all winter the sun was out, we had made a lot of snow in the past week and everything was just perfect," Bill Anderson said on Wednesday morning.

• Poley Mountain ski hill opens new, larger lodge
• Crabbe Mountain opens for the season under new ownership

Eight of 32 trails at Poley Mountain are open, as ofWednesday, and Anderson hopes to remain open for at least a couple more weeks,thanks to the hill'ssnow-making machines.

"This winter has beenup and down, but the skiing hasn't been bad," Anderson said.

"Skiersunderstandthat we're doing the best we can with the weather. One day we had a wind chill of minus35 and the next day it was plus 15."

Anderson says the mild spells have meant Poley has closed more times than it normally would, but with good conditions for snow-making, the hill has recovered every time.

He hasn't decided yet on a closing date.

Crabbe Mountain, located between Fredericton and Woodstock,has 13of 34 trails open, as ofWednesday,with snow in the forecast expected to improve conditions throughout the day, while all trailsat Edmundston'sMont Farlagneare open.

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected for the spring according to Environment Canada.

Mild temperatures above 0 C are forecast across New Brunswick for the rest of the week.