The mountain calls.
Knee-deep in magnificent fresh powder, Searchmont Resort could be in for one of its finest seasons ever.
The ski hill reported Sunday that 30 centimetres of snow fell there over the weekend, on top of an even greater accumulation from earlier in the month.
"The guns are working overtime," the resort posted last night on social media. "Stay tuned for updates!"
"I'd be willing to bet that hill's in the best shape it's been in 10 years," Frank O'Connor from the Voyageurs Lodge and Cookhouse in Batchawana Bay told fellow EDC members at last week's board meeting.
"It's the most prepared they've been in 10 years to open," O'Connor enthused.
The EDC paid $750,000 for the troubled resort in 2015, paid off Searchmont Ski Association Inc.'s mortgage and spent another $750,000 to pay off other accumulated debts using a city-owned building as collateral.
The intent has always been to seek a permanent buyer for the resort, located 48 kilometres northeast of the Sault.
Another EDC member, Greg Punch, reported last week on improvements in the Searchmont Ski Association's operations:
- new roof and heating source installed at the previously unheated and leaky Slopeside meeting hall
- larger rental fleet (skis, snowboards, helmets) is expected to attract more skiers
- new sound system for the lodge
- villas updated with couches, painting, televisions and, in some cases, new doors and flooring
- all lifts and buildings on the mountain have been stained and painted
- new signage across the mountain
- a dozen new terrain park features
- the entire mountain has been brushed, something that was neglected in recent years
- new partnership with Lake Superior State University under which all full-time LSSU students get resort passes
- similar agreements continue with Algoma University and Sault College
- season passes are up $30,000 over last year
- positive cash flow of $100,000
- major changes to staff were made over the past year
Over the past three years, Searchmont Ski Association Inc. has rebounded from a severe operational deficit to a moderate profitable position.
An announcement of this season's opening is imminent. The resort is expected to re-open by Friday, Dec. 22.
At Searchmont's annual meeting on Nov. 23, visitors for the past season were reported to be 29,661, up 66.7 per cent over the previous season.
Occupancy rate is up 20 per cent, snow school revenue increased 68 per cent, operational days were up 50 per cent from the previous season and total revenue was up 34 per cent.
The resort ended the past season with a profit of $84,222.
Searchmont recently announced a new partnership with Sault Ste. Marie Public Library.
Until the end of December, anyone renewing or sign up for a new library membership receives a chance to win four lift tickets for a free day of skiing.
The draw will be held on Dec. 29 at 2 p.m.