CLARENVILLE, N.L. — White Hills Ski Resort is ready to go for another season this weekend, Jan. 6 and 7, and in addition to the downhill and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, there are plenty of other events and activities to sink your teeth into this winter.
New resort manager Chris Sheppard told The Packet this week, while the weather has been a bit of a challenge so far, things are good to go.
“There’ll be the same great runs we’ve always had, along with some new runs opening … We’ll be bringing back night skiing, with new lighting fixtures mounted so it will be much brighter than it has been in the past,” said Sheppard.
He adds that the day lodge will be a great attraction, with barbeques going throughout the winter and many events inside as well.
There will even be some pop-up events with local restaurants.
This is all in addition to the popular Eat the Hill culinary weekend event on Jan. 26-27. Sheppard says Friday night is already sold out, but some tickets for Saturday still remain.
Food and drink lovers can also look forward to a beer and pub food festival on March 24, called BrewSKI, and a beer and poutine event later in the winter called Brew-TINE.
“We were hoping to have a lot of activities this year for anyone looking to go out and experience the Hill without actually going out and skiing or snowboarding, and still have the experience of the après-ski feel.
“I want to invite the communities to come to White Hills to experience what we have to offer. Eat with us and sit in our bar and be at those types of events!”
All these plans coincide with the tagline “Making Memories” leading up to next year being the 30th anniversary of White Hills.
Sheppard says he looks forward to seeing people who may have skied White Hills for many years bring their families back to the resort and create new experiences for years to come.
Alpine Development Alliance Corporation board chairman Greg Pittman says the maintenance at the hill over the fall has made great strides to preparing for this season.
Pittman says he’s glad to have Sheppard leading the way going forward for White Hills, adding that his skills in marketing and local promotion are a great asset.
“We have a really good, dedicated key staff in there in terms of the different areas of the resort,” Pittman told The Packet.
He also says the resort is creating some new partnerships and has had new sponsors come on board this year, in addition to partners from previous years, like the local snowmobile association.
“And council has been very supportive, particularly this year,” he says.
The ski resort is officially open on Saturday, Jan. 6, and throughout the rest of the winter at White Hills in Clarenville.
Twitter: @jejparsons
