Northern Ont. ski resort already opened

Searchmont Resort open for the season Skiers from around the region any beyond are taking advantage of Searchmont Resort's early opening this season. Mike McDonald reports.

Staff at Searchmont Resort north of Sault Ste. Marie have been busy making snow and preparing amenities as eager skiers have been getting ready to hit the slopes once again.

"First resort to open, probably in Ontario and Michigan," said Steven Spiessman, the general manager.

"Weather was fantastic, we opened with just our beginner area, let people get their legs underneath them before the weekend. Today, we opened the second chair lift and three more trails."

Spiessman says the resort is in the midst of some major upgrades, starting with the facility's snow-making equipment.

Searchmont resort early season 2023/24 Staff at Searchmont Resort north of Sault Ste. Marie have been busy making snow and preparing amenities as eager skiers have been getting ready to hit the slopes once again. (Supplied)

"We put 40 new guns this year, about a hundred last year and the year before," he said.

"We have new villas, they should be ready by January, 12 new condo units will come online. We've done a lot of renovations in our lodge."

Spiessman says as long as the temperature stays cold, Searchmont will have all of its hills and lifts open before the Christmas break.

Searchmont Resort chairlift Searchmont Resort opened the main chair lift and three more trails on Saturday, there second day of operations this season. (Supplied)