THUNDER BAY - This winter stuck around a lot longer than anyone thought it was going to which led to local ski hill Loch Lomond breaking a record for latest ski day in the province's recorded history.
"We've had so much snowfall this season plus some phenomenal snow-making in our early season, the snow base has been insane for us," said Alisia Cameron, manager.
"So we're setting an Ontario record in terms of the latest operating days for a ski area in Ontario. Today's May 8 and this is the latest anyone's ever been skiing in an operational capacity, at least in Ontario."
Ski and snowboard fans were definitely glad to be able to squeeze in a little more time on the slopes. A constant stream of people rode the chairlift to get to the main hill.
"It's great to see, I mean, last year with the COVID shutdown over most of December, January, and into February, we lost a lot of days there and I think people have really used this season to make up for it," said Cameron.
The late-season means that this weekend people in Thunder Bay were able to ski and then hit the driving range on the same day with Northern Lights having opened up their driving range on Saturday.
"It's a lot later than usual. I think last year we had the driving range opened in march which was actually early," said Jocelyn Kachur, manager of the pro shop at Northern Lights Golf Complex.
"The snow has been pretty extensive this year and we have a lot of moisture so I think we're a few weeks behind, maybe two to three weeks behind usual."
Unfortunately for ski fans, Loch Lomond won't be able to stay open past May 8, but for those who enjoy golf, it looks like, weather permitting, the par 3 course at Northern Lights Golf complex will be open Tuesday with the regulation course to be hopefully open by May 14.
