After unseasonably cold temperatures postponed Mount Sima's opening day last week, the local ski hill is ready to open its doors to the public this weekend.

While tomorrow's forecast is a chilly -21 C, temperatures are expected to warm throughout the weekend to as high as -7 C Sunday and Monday.

"We will make the call at about 6:30 a.m. on Friday,” Mount Sima general manager Parker Hickey told the Star. "I can't say it's looking perfect, but I can say it's looking favourable. A lot of people are chomping at the bit to go skiing.”

As always, Hickey encouraged skiers and snowboarders to call the snow phone prior to visiting the park for information on potential closures. That number is 667-7547 (SKIS).

Regardless of Friday's forecast, Hickey said he is confident Mount Sima will see skiers and snowboarders on the slopes this weekend.

"It looks like we're going to get going this weekend,” he said. "We'll open as soon as it's warm enough. It looks like we're into a warming trend. We're starting to see thermal inversion. I'm confident that Mother Nature's going to help us out this time.

"The conditions are looking really excellent up there. I'm thinking it looks pretty good for this winter.”

Hickey said Mount Sima is "a fantastic facility” complete with a 1,100-foot developed vertical drop.

"It's a hill that has a lot going for it,” said Hickey. "It skis like a much bigger mountain. That's because the terrain is very varied.”

As an example, he pointed to one of the hill's main runs, Dan's Descent, which has a series of steep pitches and plateaus.

For amenities, the hill includes a modern, 6,000 square-foot day lodge with a licensed lounge and cafeteria, and a warming chalet at the top of the hill.

"The base lodge is to die for,” said Hickey. "Most municipal ski hills, nobody has a base lodge like this.”

A Doppelmayr quad chairlift was installed last year.

The ski hill has 12 runs in total – five novice runs, four intermediate, and three advanced – as well as a world-class mogul run. Snowboarders can enjoy a 13-foot halfpipe and two terrain parks.

"We've got it all covered,” Hickey said.

Winter hours have changed, with the hill welcoming skiers and snowboarders Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Previously, Mount Sima was open Thursday to Sunday.

After Feb. 11, the hill will extend its hours of operation until 3:30 p.m., and until 4 p.m. from March 10 to April 1 – the hill's scheduled closing date.

Mount Sima will be open daily during the holidays, from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7 and March 1 to 18.

The hill's close proximity to downtown Whitehorse is a major factor to its popularity.

"In an office, you can take the afternoon off and come out and ski for a few hours,” Hickey said. "We're only 10 to 15 minutes away from downtown, so that's really a big plus.”

Day pass prices have risen slightly this year to $39 for an adult, $31 for youths (13-18) and seniors (65+), and $19 for children (6-12). Half-day pricing is also available.

"They're not huge increases,” said Hickey. "We did a survey of ski areas in Alaska and northern B.C., northern Alberta, and looked at our pricing, and figured it was time to put our prices up a little bit. It's very good value.”

SnowPass cards for nine- and 10-year-olds are currently on sale across the country. The purchase of a SnowPass includes three lift tickets for every participating ski and snowboard area in Canada, including Mount Sima.

For more information, visit www.snowpass.ca.