Harper Mountain officially opened on Saturday, Dec. 19 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

SKI SEASON

Harper Mountain open, keeping people safe with new COVID-19 safety protocols

Dec 22, 2020 | 4:45 PM

KAMLOOPS — The slopes are open and the locals are carving up the snow at Harper Mountain.

“It’s amazing to have it open again. I haven’t been here in a while, so it’s kind of exciting having it open again,” said Kailin Shaw.

Colin Mikkelsen added, “It’s great. Conditions are good. Got lots of snow last night and it’s not very busy, so it’s a great day.”

Harper Mountain, which officially opened on Saturday (Dec. 19), benefitted from a huge dump of snow on the region on Monday. According to Environment Canada, 12 centimetres fell at Kamloops Airport with more in the higher elevations. The new snow has made for ideal conditions for skiers and snowboarders.

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“There’s a lot of powder snow towards the top. There’s some smaller in the tree runs that are still a bit icy, but it’s definitely really nice with all the powder.”

After working hard to open before Christmas, staff at Harper say the big snowfall is a welcome sight.

“Well, the timing couldn’t be better, right?” said owner and operator of Harper Mountain Norm Daburger. “Christmas season, the holidays, snow. It’s one sport that we can get out and do right now.”

It’s been a longer, more stressful process to open with all the COVID-19 safety protocols that are in place.

“We’ve had to make quite a few changes,” said Daburger. “Obviously, limiting the amount of people that are inside the building and keeping people distanced and wearing their masks outside and everywhere. We’ve moved our ticket counters, so that all of our sales are outside. We really limited the number of people who come inside.”

It’s made for some adjusting, but many people are just happy it’s open, especially those who are trying out skiing for the first time.

“It’s actually my fourth time and I feel like I’m getting a lot better at it,” said one young skier. “It’s a little easier for me now. I can already do the T-bars. I’m really good at the tow rope, too. I fall most of the time, but it doesn’t hurt actually.”