Manic Monday | Winter isn't just coming ...winter is here...

Well, maybe winter isn't quite here yet, but it is definitely coming and our ski resorts in this region are ready! With ski runs opening around the region it was great to see Sun Peaks open to record crowds, November 17 while Big White Resort opened last Thursday with a nod to American Thanksgiving.  Silver Star's Nordic runs saw their first skiers mid-month and downhill followed this past Saturday. Our other regional ski hills openings are not far behind and we hope to see region-wide skiing in full swing (isn't that a golf word?) by the first week of the December.

I did have the opportunity to visit the Big White Resort with Michael J Ballingall just prior to their opening last week and was amazed to see the tremendous growth and development that is taking place over the past few months.  Among the many new additions and changes are staff accommodations, a new chairlift, added grooming machines, bike paths and even a new bridge, all totaling well in excess of $16 million dollars. These are important infrastructure investments that show a strong commitment for the future and do not even factor in their new housing startups and focus on the implementation of sustainable and responsible tourism practices.

We are very proud of all the winter product around the entire Thompson Okanagan Region and it is outstanding to see the leadership our mountain resorts are taking in not only growing and developing their winter business, but building products and services that can be enjoyed in the summer months and beyond.

Winter is coming....winter soon will be here...I encourage you to get out and enjoy all of the many fresh air activities that our ski hills, large and small, have available. You won't be disappointed and it will make you love winter more and more.

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO