By Alan Sorensen
The verdict is in. There isn't enough snow atop the Bear Paw Ski Hill to start loading downhillers on "Chair #2 to the summit" this weekend.
"I don't think we'll be opening, because we didn't get that much snow, yet," Claire Stoner of the Snowdance Ski Association and Eagle Creek Ski Patrol said. "The top is still pretty sparse. If we don't get enough (snow at the summit) next week, we may just open from midway (next weekend)."
Stoner said a work party is planned for Saturday at the ski area on the Chippewa Cree Recreation Area 29 miles south of Havre on the Beaver Creek Road. Volunteers are needed at the hill to pack the snow in the North Bowl area from the top of the mountain that is inaccessible to the motorized and tracked packer.
The Eagle Creek Ski Patrol has a ski patrol training session planned for Sunday at the hill.
Stoner said she didn't know for sure what time the work party would start, but estimated that it would probably be about noon on Saturday. Volunteers are reminded to dress for winter weather.
