Chicopee Ski Resort opens, celebrates 90th anniversary

The slopes are officially open for the season at Chicopee Ski Resort in Kitchener.

It was a busy opening day on Friday with many people enjoying the fresh snow.

“It's so fun just getting up there. You get a great view city when you're just carving down the hills,” said Adam Dreher, a local snowboarder.

Staff at Chicopee are also celebrating 90 years in the community.

“I've been waiting this whole December to get on and get back on the slopes and just go skiing,” said Calin Cremenescu, a skier.

This season, skiers and snowboarders did not have to wait as long as last season, with an earlier opening day by more than two weeks.

There are also some new upgrades this season.

“This year we spent $8 million on two new surface lifts. They're completely covered. We have a new quad chair. This more than doubles our capacity, going to the top of the hill,” said Bill Creighton, CEO at Chicopee.

Those riding the lifts on Friday were eager about what’s coming down the hill, with construction of future runs in clear view.

“I used to ski here when I was a little kid. So seeing all the new construction is really exciting,” said one skier.

With warmer temperatures expected on the weekend, staff said they aren’t too worried.

There was a good dose of the real white stuff earlier in the week plus the snow machines have been hard at work.

“We need to be able to get the snow down to start and then we can survive some of these fluctuations in weight,” said Creighton.

As Chicopee celebrates 90 years, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, located north of Barrie turns 60 years old.

To celebrate, both sites are offering a Before and After Pass.

The pass allows season pass holders and members to begin their ski season earlier up north and end later there as well.