Marble Mountain hopes to open by year's end

Some snow and colder temperatures are forecast for western Newfoundland, and if the forecast holds true, Marble Mountain Resort could be open for skiers and snowboarders before the end of the calendar year.

Marble Mountain's General Manager Chris Beckett said he is excited to get the hill open. He said there is some fresh snow on the ground and the anticipation is building for the upcoming ski and snowboard season.

"We always get snow, it's just a matter of when it's coming," Beckett said.

He said the natural snow is great, but man-made snow made on the mountain is more resilient to warmer temperatures and helps keep conditions more consistent.

Beckett said crews hope to start making snow just after Christmas.

"There's a lot of factors that go in to making snow. You've got air temperature, relative humidity, wind - those are the three biggest factors that come in to play, and you need to get them in agreeance to make snow," he said.

Important to be open during the holidays

Beckett said that with many people getting new ski and snowboard equipment under the Christmas tree, it's important to have the hill open for the holiday season.

"A lot of Christmas gifts come in the form of new ski or snowboard gear - people want to get out and try it, they have some free time on their hands - so it's important for us to do it, and get as open as quick we can through the Christmas season," he said.

"It all depends on mother nature though, she is in control."

Marble Mountain was completely open on Dec. 26 in 2013, for the first time in its history, while last year the mountain opened on Jan. 9, with trails on the east side of the mountain ready for skiers and snowboarders.

Updates on the mountain's anticipated opening and trail conditions are available on the Marble Mountain website.