Canyon Ski Resort is taking a rather sheepish approach to keeping the grass down during a busy summer season.
For the second year in a row, the area is using sheep to graze the ski hill.
A farmer from Lacombe County is renting the pasture for a small fee for his 600 sheep and 360 goats. Not all are on the land just yet.
Using animals instead of a big lawn tractor is the way to go, said David Martel, general manager of Alberta’s largest non-mountain ski resort 10 km east of Red Deer.
It’s cheaper, saves on time, plus it’s a better environmental choice. The ski hill does remain active through the summer, particularly when it comes to renting out the ski lodge.
Martel said they are hosting weddings every weekend.
The ski resort is also getting ready for an Alberta Bicycle Association downhill mountain bike race in late August.
It no longer holds Canyon Summer Adventure camps.
The Alois Kunc and David Martel families of Red Deer bought the ski hill in June 2010.
“We’re in full swing here, doing all our summer maintenance and our upgrades and our capital projects,” Martel said.
“We’re trying to upgrade our snowmaking equipment every year. By doing so, we hope to open earlier and earlier.”
In the new owners’ first year of operation, the ski resort experienced slightly more users.
They had more than 44,000 skier visits, plus around 17,000 schoolchildren last season, operating from Nov. 20 to April 3. This was one of the longest seasons in recent memory, Martel said.
They are now preparing for the ski hill’s 44th winter season.
Online registration and payment is a first for this year.
Season passes went on sale a week ago. Early bird specials are now on sale. Prices did not change from last season, Martel said.
New programs and clubs are coming on stream, too.
The Xtreme Ski/Snowboard Club, a noncompetitive club for snowboarders and skiers ages around 12 to 17, is being launched.
Many parents inquired about whether there was such a club, Martel said.
The club will be focused on the terrain park.
he cost is $199 and includes instruction from December to about February, on one day of the weekend.
Jump Start will be new this season, for children who are not ready for the Jumps and Bumps program — where young skiers are taught freestyle skills in fun and safe progressions.
Canyon Ski Resort will also start a non-competitive social club for men and women. Members will be able to join $40 for the season (lift passes not included).
They can mingle and have free hors d’oeuvres.
The ski resort has a triple chair, double chair, two T-bars and a handle tow. The resort hopes to get a quad chair, but that is many years away, Martel said.
For more information, go online at www.canyonski.ca.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com