Warm weather and minimal snow create challenges for B.C. ski hills

Abnormally warm weather in B.C. has created less than ideal conditions on ski hills as a lack of snow is making it tough for resorts to operate.

In at least one case, operations have had to cease altogether as the hill awaits a fresh snowfall. 

The El Niño climate phenomenon has pushed temperatures to record highs in regions, including Metro Vancouver, Greater Victoria, the Sunshine Coast and the Okanagan.

Mount Seymour, about 25 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, closed on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday pending more snow.

"We had a bit of a weak start but the rain last week washed us out," Mount Seymour marketing and communications manager Simon Whitehead told The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn on Thursday. 

"Luckily the forecast is looking much stronger for next week so we'll hopefully be back in business pretty soon."

He suggested that unseasonably warm weather impacts the hill once every eight years or so, so while it's not ideal, it's something staff are prepared for. 

In Whistler, 120 kilometres north of Vancouver, Environment Canada reported no snow on the ground on Christmas Day, compared to 40 centimetres last Christmas.

Skier John Bell frequents the hill, and said this year appears to have very little snow compared to others. 

"You do have to be careful. It gets a little rocky, there are some obstacles out there for sure."

On Thursday, the Whistler Blackcomb resort reported 117 of its 275 trails were open, and only 42 per cent of its terrain.

Anything that could be open was thanks to the resort's grooming team, said mountain operations director Adam Francis.

"They go down and they'll cut and fell and push through the the thick spots to the thin spots, patch it up on a nightly basis and try to stave off the melt down there," he said. 

Despite current conditions, he remains optimistic about the rest of the season.