KAMSACK — After a “soft opening” on Dec. 23, the Duck Mountain Ski Area will be open for the season beginning on Boxing Day.
“We have enough snow, a 10-inch base and it’s snowing more and more,” said Sarah Burrows, who has begun working as the Area’s general manager, succeeding Craig Brock, who remains involved as a consultant.
“The hill’s conditions are adequate and there’s powder,” Burrows said.
A resident of Kamsack, Burrows marks her fifth year working at the ski hill. She began as a volunteer on the board, then started working in the kitchen. In 2020 she was elevated to the position of lodge manager and cook, and this year was asked to manage the hill.
Burrows explained that for about three days in October a work crew of about a dozen volunteers mowed, cut branches and conducted a variety of tasks in order to make the area ready to receive the snow.
The hill was in relatively good condition, she said. It had been rented out during the summer to a couple of groups including a youth group and a group with horses.
“We hope that for the opening, we’ll be able to have all the hills open for skiers and snowmobilers,” she said, adding that may depend on having enough staff.
A full staff would include 14 persons, she said. Among the staff currently being employed on a part-time basis are four persons returning to the hill.
Burrows explained that an umbrella management staff has been hired. Included on the new management team are: Terry Town of the RM of Sliding Hills and Stuart McMillan of Norquay, who are the outdoor maintenance managers; Nicole Town, the lodge manager; Warren Musqua of Churchbridge, the lift operations manager; Jamie Brock of Canora, the rental shop manager, and Joe Vivian of Kamsack, the cook.
Once the hill opens on Dec. 26, it will be open daily to Jan. 3, that is, weather permitting, she said. The hill will not be operational when the temperature drops to minus 27 degrees Celsius.
After Jan. 3, the hill will be open on weekends and on school breaks, she said. In addition, Thursdays and Fridays are being reserved to accommodate various school groups.
The Big Buck Run snowmobile club is sponsoring school groups, which means the club has agreed to pay for a portion of the students’ fees, she said.
“We’re still looking for certified ski and snowboard instructors,” she said, urging persons wishing to work as instructors, who will be offered an incentive, to contact her at [email protected].
At the hill are a fully-equipped rental shop and a fully-operational kitchen that was renovated two years ago. The kitchen, which is fully licensed, offers daily specials as well as a set menu that includes full meals as well as snacks.
The road leading to the hill from Duck Mountain Provincial Park was widened and gravelled last year and is in good condition, she said.
