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NATAL AER * Seg LSA B A TRU host' ¥ SRE A SEMA SAE! i "Kk SS NRTA RRL DT EF RIN 7 9 Fed: Via RE Ne r vi 7g ALTERNA NATE $ RST UNA RBC AAT EAA (YA ty EIU PINAR INR BEE (ALPE ES HIRES £4 + 14 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, January 11, 1983 Trillium Valley ski area desparate for snow on the trails Ron Richards admits he's a concerned man these days. Mr. Richards owns and operates the cross-country ski facilities at Trillium Valley on the Oshawa Road about five miles south of Port Perry. The two-storey chalet is open, the trails are ready, there are skis, poles and boots for rent, and the same major problem facing ski resort owners all over eastern Canada this year: no snow. In an interview with the Star Saturday afternoon at Trillium Valley, Mr. Richards said he remains optimistic that this ski sea- son can be salvaged if there is snow in the next short while and it stays on the ground. ""There is nothing I can do about it. I have to be op- timistic, there is no point in taking a negative attitude," he said. But he admits he is beginn- ing to wonder just what is going on with the winter weather in this part of the country. This is the fifth ski season for Trillium Valley, and it has been a roller coaster ride almost from the day the first skier took the trails. Three years ago, the sea- son was "a complete dis- aster" in Mr. Richards' words. The next year, things got off to a good start only to be killed by February rains. Mr. Richards describes last year as pretty good, and the long range forecasts for this winter gave him high hopes. But so far, those hopes have been dashed by the mild temperatures and almost total lack of snow. There were a couple of days just before Christmas when conditions were good enough for some skiing, but aside from that, the trails HOURS: Mon. toFri.8a.m.to 5 p.m. Sat.8a.m. to 12 noon 'M & I MACHINE SHOP Head Rebuilding - Engines Rebuilt - Rotor & Drum Turning - Flywheel Resurfacing - Engine Boring & Head Resurfacing REGIONAL ROAD 8 - PORT PERRY have been quiet. Trillium Valley sits on 162 acres with 28 KM of groomed trails which are "track set" for the skiers each morning. Mr. Richards says the investment in land, build- ings, equipment and labour is pushing the half-million dollar mark. When asked if he is con- sidering some kind of art- ificial snow-making equip- ment he replies yes, and it would be feasible to make snow for about 10 KM of trails. But he estimates the cost to be in the $50,000 range for this equipment, so it's understandable why he would prefer to see the white stuff falling from the sky rather than coming out of the end of a nozzle. Still, there is room for hope. Mr. Richards says the ski season in this part of the country is from 'early Jan- uary to late March. If there is snow on the ground for the busy Christmas period and the skiing is good, he con- siders that a bonus. But the bread and butter time should get underway right about now. Last Saturday, for example, would have been a perfect day for cross country skiing. The sun was out, the winds were calm, the temp- erature was about the freez- ing mark, but there wasn't enough snow on the ground to even consider lacing on the skis. With good snow and weather conditions on a Sat- urday in January, Mr. Richards said there would be between 600 and 800 people taking to the trails during the day and evening. One of the beginner trails is lighted for night skiing. While waiting for the snow to fall, Mr. Richards has not simply been sitting idle as Trillium Valley now boasts a 985-9345 5th ANNUAL J >. WALLPAPER ALL WALLPAPER ORDERS (Until January 31, 1983.) OVER 50 BOOKS TO CHOOSE FROM! Settlement House In the Hgart of Port Perry 183 Queen Street, Port Perry 985-8234 regulation size speed skating oval and frozen pond for pleasure skating. Mr. Richards said that com- petitive speed skaters from Ontario and the States have expressed an interest in using the oval for training purposes. Ski lodge operators aren't the only people moaning over the lack of snow so far this winter. Snow mobile owners in this area have to travel about 100 miles north to find decent trail con- ditions. Vern Asselstine, who sells Yamaha machines at his dealership on Durham Road 57 just south of Blackstock, told the Star last week that business for repairs and service of machines is down because of the poor con- ditions. But he noted that sales of new machines are keeping pace with last year, mainly because most people who decide to buy a new machine do so in late fall. Like Mr. Richards, he too is keeping a close watch on the weather reports. Not only has the lack of snow hurt those businesses directly involved with winter recreation, it is having an effect indirectly on those which need tourist trade during these months. \ LARTER ER a Ban ON SPR EES FAT Ne os le, Fh hn aid pias 2 i : : - 45 J 2 wy oe 4 Fe : i : 3 . - iv * Dg 4 . 1 i ; Fi i f i] » 5 i § 2 4 ¥ 4 3 be . HE | : i : : x 2 : § 1 JP Lakd : -- iaiady bo : gi EA i de On a typical Saturday in January, Ron Richards, owner of Trillium Valley would look over the 28 KM of trails and see several hundred cross country skiers. But not this year. The lack of snow is really starting to hurt, but Mr. Richards says he is still optimistic the ski season can be salvaged if the snows come soon and stay on the ground. (See story) "The Sale . Worth Waiting For!" 12th Annual JANUARY STARTS: Wednesday, January 12th - 9:30 a.m. ALL REGULAR WINTER STOCK -- JEANS INCLUDED -- Reduced 189 Queen St., Port Perry 80 Brock St. W., Uxbridge 985-8551 852-3683