Spring-like weather affects Perfect North and Fountain Square ice rink

Over the holidays we had a dose of winter weather that helped the slopes at Perfect North. They have a nice base of snow between 20 to 50 inches, but in order to make more snow they need temperatures in the teens, low humidity and clear skies. Unfortunately, we’ve got warmer temperatures and rain on the way.

“Certainly there’s some shrinkage of the snow base but with that large of a mass out there, it sort of keeps itself cold," said Chip Perfect of Perfect North Slopes. He added that his biggest challenge is convincing people that snow doesn’t go away when it gets warm.

“Rain is more detrimental to the crowd. People don’t like to be out in the rain, than it is the snow itself." Chip said. "The snow absorbs the rain. It kind of sinks down in and again, it makes a really soft, skiable surface. There are some folks that really enjoy skiing in the rain.”

Perfect North isn’t the only winter hot spot affected by the spring-like weather. The ice skating rink in Fountain Square can see problems too.

“The rain’s not so great on the ice. It is difficult to keep the top layer from getting too slick, so the warm temperatures are okay, it’s the rain that really kind of does us in," Anastasia Mileham of 3CDC explains.

The ice rink can stay frozen up to 64 degrees. Any warmer than that, add some rain, and puddles can form that makes for slick skating. If conditions are unsafe the rink closes down temporarily until the cold weather returns… and the cold weather will return. It’s just a matter of time. It’s winter, after all! 

Get more information on Perfect North Slopes here.

Get more information 3CDC and skating on Fountain Square here.

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