We need space! Variety of chairs for sale @$5 each or make an offer. Want to check them out? We are at the ski hill today (Sat March 18) from 10 am to noon
Big thanks to everyone that came out last weekend for Winterfest! ![]()
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Christopher Atkins![]()
Mother Sun ![]()
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📸 Earth In Bloom Photography
Hello Clearwater!![]()
Here are some answers to the question why we can’t open the hill after all this snow?![]()
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In short - insurance costs, operational costs, volunteer effort, and work to upgrade and maintain the t-bar. ![]()
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Insurance costs have increased like crazy.![]()
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This year building insurance was $12,000 and we decided, based on low early season snow, to not pay $15,000 for liability.![]()
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Previously building and liability was:![]()
2021/22 - $21,000![]()
2020/21 - $15,000![]()
2019/20 - $12,000![]()
2012/13 - $10,000![]()
2009 - $8000![]()
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We are having a really hard time to get insurance for our little hill. Our previous insurance doesn’t want to work with small hills like us anymore, they only want to cover the lodge. We need to find a new insurance and that is really not easy. We can only hope that someone wants to take us on come next season. ![]()
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Operating costs for one day is an additional $700-$1000 (BC Hydro, bunny hill fuel and maintenance etc.)![]()
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Then the t-bar: ![]()
We take down the T’s in the spring and replace them in the fall, which is a 2 day job with 4 people. Then climb each tower for regular maintenance which is another few days for the volunteers. Afterwards we get a lift inspection, which is pricey. We decided not to put up the T’s, considering the work involved and cost of the inspection. Unfortunately the lack of snow does not justify it.![]()
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Plus the effort of volunteers and directors donating their time to the skihill and all the businesses supporting us, we couldn’t do it without you!![]()
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We really hope this answers some of your questions and you’ll see it’s not simple to just open and ski. As much as we all would love to ski there is a lot of work, money and planning involved. ![]()
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Sincerely,![]()
The Executive of the Clearwater Ski hill
Hey Clearwater - with all this snow, we know the big question in town is "why isn't the ski hill open"? Up until this week, it's been a "no snow" kind of winter and in January, when we had to make a decision on whether to open or not, there was NOT enough snow and nothing in the short term forecast. ![]()
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It was a hard decision and one that we didn't make lightly. We had to juggle "wishful thinking" with the reality of a hill without a good base. What does this mean? It means that we really are CLOSED. ![]()
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It takes about two weeks to get a ski hill operational. The lift is not set up and behind the scenes paperwork was not done. It really sucks to have all this snow and the hill is closed. We all want to be out on the hill and catch the good vibes of the lodge. ![]()
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What we need is next December to have this kind of snow, not at the end of February. Sorry all. We wish we had better news. We share your pain. Running a ski hill that is open is more fun than one that is closed and there are still costs to bear. We believe in 2024! ![]()
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The Clearwater Ski Hill Executive
We’ve had lots of folks ask about snowmobiling on the hill with all this beautiful fresh powder. Sadly we cannot let this happen - puts us into trouble with our insurance provider and we cannot risk it. Sorry folks. Enjoy the snow however you I can!