Hundreds of skiers, snowboarders and fans of fun gathered at Hudson Bay Mountain last Sunday for the Schnai Day Skiesta, the annual closing party to end the ski season.
The difference this year is that, thanks to superb conditions, the hill will reopen this coming weekend for three more days of downhill before the lifts are closed up for the season. A higher than normal amount of snow in January and February accumulated enough that it resulted in a two metre base in April, allowing a longer season despite the recent warm weather.
From Friday to Sunday, diehards will be able to wring out a few extra days of groomed snow before packing away their gear until November.
Schnai Day activities also included live entertainment from Audio Riot, as well as a number of other contests including the Dummy Downhill and the Fear Factor Wormfest.
Hudson Bay Mountain’s General Manager, Nancy Trieber, said the new owners of the hill didn’t want to change too much about Schnai Day, since it’s a tradition that has outlasted several previous owners.
Although Trieber didn’t make major changes, she is trying to add to the experience, bringing in major sponsors, and bigger entertainment, including several DJs along with the live band.
“It’s a long standing tradition. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it,” she said.
Part of the Schnai Day tradition is costumes, and the crowds on the hill didn’t disappoint. All sorts of odd hats, wigs, 1980s and older ski outfits and masks were seen on the lifts. Costumes in the slush cup competition included everything from full biohazard suits, to cardboard armour, to a simple pair of boxers and snowboard boots.