GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Due to unseasonably warm temperatures, the Gladstone Ski Hill has had a rough start to the season.
“Normally, we’d be going into our second week right now,” said Robert Brown, acting supervisor of the Gladstone Parks and Recreation Department. “With the unusual weather that we’ve had, a lot of this fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, all of that stuff is supposed to be in full force right now, and we’re just waiting like everybody else is.”
On top of that, a mechanical failure delayed the production of artificial snow.
“Our main motor went down at the pumphouse,” Brown explained. “We had some locals that helped us out, got it back up to running faster than we expected, so we’ll be making snow tonight.”
Brown plans to continue production over the next few weeks, assuming temperatures cooperate.
“Primarily, we need to be in those mid-20s to really make some good snow with our guns,” he said. “Anything above that is marginal. If we can get down in the single digits to 15 – 20 degrees, that’s usually when we can start really making some snow for the hill.”
With skiing typically coming to an end around the second week of March, Brown says the short season is a blow to the Parks and Recreation budget, as well as to young skiers.
“The after school program is really big in this area,” he said. “We have upwards of 120 kids that participate here, so I’m sure they’re getting real ansty to come on the hill and get skiing, find something to do.”
The Gladstone Ski Hill is now projected to open on January 26, with an updated menu for the dining hall. Brown hopes despite an abbreviated season, guests will still enjoy hitting the slopes once the hill is operational.
“It’s a lot of hard work, and to get going this late in the year is kind of disappointing,” he said. “We’ve already put a great deal of time into getting the snow that you see in the back here, and to lose most of that already, it’s hard. We’re just looking forward to getting the kids on the hill.”
Skiers can find the latest updates on the Gladstone Ski Hill on the City of Gladstone website or Facebook page.
