Record-breaking heat still bringing skiers to the slopes as spring approaches
With winter feeling like it’s all but over, spring-like conditions are still bringing skiers to the slopes.
- Sign up now for our daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The temperatures hit 11.6 C in Ottawa on Monday, the hottest March 4 in the city's history, and skiers like Jimmy Cousaert are taking full advantage for the first time this season.
"I just want to enjoy it before the end of the season," said Cousaert.
Having recently moved to Canada from Belgium just four months ago, Cousaert wanted to experience Canadian skiing while there’s still snow on the ground.
"It's not the same thing in Belgium," he explains. "You have maybe one or two ski parks and it’s indoor. its artificial snow and the feeling is not the same."
Despite the unusually warm temperatures, Mont Cascades Ski Resort, just north of Ottawa, says that 75 per cent of their runs remain open.
"There's not much snow in the city. But our snowmaking teams have been working very hard all winter long," said Jeremy Flynn, Mont Cascades' director of customer service.
The ski industry relies heavily on March Break crowds for business. Mont Cascades is also planning ski camps as Ontario schools take their break next week.
"It's been great for sure," Flynn said. "Of course, we would love to have a bit more snow, but from what we can control, we're proud of the product we’ve put forward."
"I'm expecting to skin my hoodie this afternoon," shares one skier, while another adds, "I love to just fly and let go."
Thomas Ouellet, another skier, says, "The snow is more sticky, so it's harder. If snow gets on your skis you can fall. But I like it when it’s hotter."
For Cousaert, he says he picked the right day to hit his first Canadian ski hill.
"It’s good. Not so cold," he said.
"Yeah, I enjoy it."
With files from CTV News Ottawa's Josh Pringle
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized after return to New York from upstate prison
Harvey Weinstein’s lawyer said Saturday that the onetime movie mogul has been hospitalized for a battery of tests after his return to New York City following an appeals court ruling nullifying his 2020 rape conviction.
'We are declaring our readiness': No decision made yet as Poland declares it's ready to host nuclear weapons
Polish President Andrzej Duda says while no decision has been made around whether Poland will host nuclear weapons as part of an expansion of the NATO alliance’s nuclear sharing program, his country is willing and prepared to do so.
Central Alberta queer groups react to request from Red Deer-South to reinstate Jennifer Johnson to UCP caucus
A number of LGBQT+2s groups in Central Alberta are pushing back against a request from the Red Deer South UCP constituency to reinstate MLA Jennifer Johnson into the UCP caucus.