Sub-zero temps close ski hill, colder-than-usual winter on the way

As you may have noticed, the mercury dipped way below freezing last weekend hitting temperatures in the –30C range.   

Though it’s not winter yet, Jasper and most of western Canada has been experiencing unseasonably low temperatures. Senior climatologist with Environment Canada David Phillips described the weather as “brutal,” but cautioned that “sometimes December can come out to be the coldest month of the winter.” Winter officially arrives on Dec. 21 (this Sunday).

“Your temperatures for this time of the year should be about –5C for a high and –13C for a low,” but right now, it “is still 25 degrees colder than it should be,” said Phillips.  

As Jasperites bundle up to hit the outdoors, it’s important to remember that November was unseasonably mild, said Phillips. “You’ve been seduced into thinking that this would not be the winter from hell,” he said. 

Unfortunately, Environment Canada is predicting a colder than normal winter for the western provinces.  

After the earliest opening to date this year, the weekend’s cold weather shut Marmot Basin back down again. “We were closed, basically,” said vice president of marketing and sales Brian Rode. Lifts at the hill were closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with the exception of the Magic Carpet lift and the School House T-Bar. 

“Some people took advantage of that, they wanted to enjoy the day despite the cold temperatures,” Rode said. “But it all but shut us down.”

The decision to keep chairlifts running is based on a few factors, including temperature, humidity, and most importantly, Rode said, wind. “We’ve had lifts open below –30C, but this weekend we had cold and wind, and that’s a very uncomfortable situation.”

The cold snap is due to a flow of Siberian air. “Cold air is like molasses,” Phillips said.  “It spreads out, it’s dense, it’s thick, it’s heavy, it just seeks every little nook and cranny, I mean, it just moves along the surface like a cat... the cold air is always the bully... you can’t kick it out.”

Those who choose to venture outside should cover up. “No cleavage at this time of the year,” he said. 

On a serious note, a number of people will travel more over the holiday season and should pay attention to the weather forecast before setting out.  “Pilots make a flight plan... people should make a travel plan to make sure that people know when you’re leaving, where you’re going, what route you’re taking and make sure you have a winter survival kit,” said Phillips.  “There’s nothing embarrassing about carrying candles and blankets and food and extra clothing in your car.”  

Even though holiday parties and the winter season can be a fun time of year, make sure the designated driver is also someone who understands the conditions, said Phillips.  “Realize that there is an enemy out there and it’s the cold weather.”