TORONTO, Ont. - While the weather in the GTA has been unseasonably warm, some cooler weather in Barrie means it's about time to brush off your ski and snowboard supplies.
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- Thursdays at 5:17 p.m.
- Fridays at 7:17 a.m. and 5:17 p.m.
- Saturdays at 7:17 a.m. and 5:17 p.m.
- Sundays at 7:17 a.m.
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The popular Barrie ski resort opened for business Monday with two lifts and two runs, making it the first slope in the province to open.
"Our Horseshoe fans have been waiting and watching for opening day," said Jonathan Reid, Director of Recreation & Events at the resort. "Our team has been working hard with the weekend's colder weather to be ready to open by 9:00 a.m. Monday."
While the warm weather has delayed many hill opening around the province this season, Environment Canada is predicting slightly above average snowfall this year, meaning skiers and boarders can look ahead to a good season.
Sean Billing, General Manager at Horseshoe, said he hopes to early opening will draw those from the city up Hwy. 400 to the resort, especially as soon as school is out for the holidays.
"I'm proud of our ski staff for putting the white into Christmas, it's not just dreaming anymore," Billing said, jokingly.
General Manager Sean Billing is counting on Horseshoe Resort's early opening to draw more urbanites, tired of the bare ground, up Highway 400 especially as soon as school is out for the holidays.
The resort hopes to get the beginner trail open soon and start night skiing as soon as Friday. They're also working on the terrain park, and hope to have all the runs and snow tubing open by Christmas Eve.
The cross-country ski trails are forecasted to open Dec. 23.