It appears this weekend may be the time to get out the sleds, go for a ski or even just a stroll to enjoy the mild temperatures and recent snowfall over the city.

Temperatures are expected to drop to more seasonal norms early next week.

Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Coldwells said this morning a broad upper ridge has been moving warm air north from California, resulting in the warm temperatures and 16-centimetre snowfall this week.

While the warm temperatures are uncommon this time of year, Jan. 13 was the only day to see a record set, when it hit a high of 5.9 C, up two degrees from the previous record set in 1965.

Since that mark was broken, Yukoners have been enjoying mild temperatures.

They’re expected to stay through the weekend, bringing with it some wet snow.

That’s all expected to change Monday, when a front of Arctic air is expected to push through until the end of the month, bringing temperatures down to a more usual -18 C.

The recent warm temperatures coupled with the snowfall are proving beneficial for the two local ski facilities: the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club and the Mount Sima ski and snowboard hill.

At the cross-country ski club today, operations manager Jan Polivka commented: “We’re in full grooming mode.”

The recent snowfall has made for excellent conditions at the Mount McIntyre ski facility.

As club general manager Mike Gladish pointed out, it’s been the first time this season the club can advertise excellent conditions.

The warm weather overall this winter and less snow than previous years up until this week’s snowfall meant the facility wasn’t even renting equipment or promoting day pass use in November.

While ski passes for the season have sold at about the same rate as previous years, day passes and rentals have been down.

At best, ski conditions up until Thursday were described as good.

Gladish also noted that while temperatures under 4 C won’t have a major impact on snow pack, “it makes waxing tricky.”

Both he and Polivka said they’re expecting the trails to be busy this weekend and hope day pass sales will pick up.

“People should go skiing,” Polivka said, emphasizing the excellent conditions of the trail as of today.

Meanwhile, at Mount Sima, general manager Cindy Chandler commented it seems there are a lot of skiers and snowboarders suffering from the “Friday flu,” taking time off work or school to be at the hill. The hill’s parking lot was already full by late this morning.

With 25 centimetres of snow hitting the hill over the two-day snowfall and temperatures at about 2 C there, Chandler said, conditions are “fabulous.”

The hill has been benefiting from busy weekends this month as skiers and snowboarders take advantage of the mild weather and events happening at the hill.

Many came out for last Saturday’s Avalanche Awareness Day, where avalanche training was provided, while Sunday saw the grand opening of the snow castle at the hill.

In addition to exploring the castle and whizzing down two slide runs on the castle, youngsters were offered free hot chocolate and submitted names for the castle.

Bjorn Boone has been crowned the contest winner, with the castle to bear the title Mount Sima’s Castle Of Awesomeness.

Meanwhile, the warm weather and lack of snow overall this season are taking a toll on the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race and the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival planned for next month.

It was announced earlier this week the Quest is looking at alternative start lines from its usual downtown Whitehorse spot, given the Yukon River is still open.

Rendezvous had to cancel a couple of features due to a lack of snow. It is working with Sima to have snow produced for events like the snow carving contest.