(Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Curtis Goodrum

HARPER OPEN AGAIN

Amid ‘strange’ ski season, Harper Mountain hopes to stay open for the duration

Feb 20, 2026 | 5:11 PM

PAUL LAKE, B.C. – In 2026, Harper Mountain has had to close twice – including as recently as February 5 – and has only reopened on Family Day weekend after a warm spell of weather limited owners’ ability to build up snow suitable for skiers. Harper Mountain is a locally owned business and has been operating since 1973.

The owners say this year has been one of the strangest yet. 

“It’s definitely been a very strange season. The openings and closings are tough, especially with staff not knowing when it’s going to be open again. We have been very close to staying open because we have really good snowpack. We just needed more snow down around the bottom,” said manager Lisa Daburger.

The Daburgers have been able to get that natural snow, which the mountain relies on. They’re hopeful they will be able to remain open throughout the season.  

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“I’m very optimistic because we’ve had a really good snowfall. The temperatures are good. It looks beautiful right now and we have lots of season left. The forecast looks good. The snow is still forecast. If we look at last year on March 23, we had a foot of snow that fell in 12 hours,” said Daburger. 

Daburger says she’s very thankful for the community support and hopes to see more people return to the hill through the rest of the ski season. 

“We’re thankful to our community that comes skiing. It is very much winter again, and it looks like it’s going to be for a while yet to come. That’s what we’re excited about,” said Daburger.