Director of Community Services Chris McCord provided the MD of Bonnyville’s council with an update on the status of Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort at Wednesday’s meeting.
The Ridge was able to partially open on the 17th of December and got into full swing on the 22nd, a full two weeks later than the previous year. Naturally, this led to lower sales than 2016 but the report notes that “Considering the late start, numbers have exceeded what we were originally expecting.” Also mentioned is that upgrades to parking have made the chalet more accessible and the road much safer for customers. The cafeteria now has a miniature “Christmas/ski village” in it that the report says has been a hit with customers.
Nearly half of this season’s hires are returning staff from 2015. A lead chef and a baker have been hired as well.
More upgrades to the park are yet to come. Snow Park Solutions – the same company who built the terrain parks at the resort – is coming back on the 25th of this month to build a snow cross park which includes some rollers. The goal of this project is to have it become part of the training circuit for the Alberta Alpine snow cross team and to eventually become part of the competitive circuit. The report says it is “currently one of the fastest growing winter sports.”
Kinosoo Ridge also has a massive SnöJuhla planned for February. We plan to have a story on that tomorrow.