The Hart Ski Hill wants to get a second snowmaking machine to make sure there’s even more snow on the hill.
The Hart Highlands Winter Club sent a letter to Prince George City Council to ask for its assistance in completing a grant application for the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
The request of $15,000 would cover approximately one-third of the cost of a second snow gun for the hill, with the remainder covered through regular fundraising initiatives.
“As you know, the Hart Ski Hill has a very successful year last year as a result of our phase one snowmaking project,” writes Hart Ski Hill manager Jess Hudson, in the letter to city council.
“The hill opened for 100 days with about 20 of those as a result of the snow we made. In all, 1,400 kids learned to ski last year through both School District 57 programs and the regular ski school.”
City council unanimously approved the recommendation to support the ski hill's application.
“Last season was a record-breaking season for the Hart Ski Hill and for them to be coming for our support, I think, is a no-brainer,” said Coun. Kyle Sampson. “I think this is going to make a great difference in growing the season even longer.”
Coun. Cori Ramsay also spoke in support of the ski hill’s request.
“As someone who grew up in the Hart, I think that the Hart Highlands ski hill is such an asset to our community,” she said.
“Now that they have the ability to make snow, it’s just going to become one of those traditions to go skiing up there and learn. But more than that, it’s an economical way for people to learn how to ski and snowboard and really engage in those activities in our long winters.”
If the grant application to the Northern Development Initiative Trust is successful, the money would come from the Prince George regional development account.
