Calabogie Peaks to lay off over 100 staff as provincial shutdowns close Ontario ski hills

Over 100 local residents will be laid off from Calabogie Peaks Resort today. The news comes following the province wide shutdown that will start December 26th. Chief Operating Officer at the local ski hill, Jim Hemlin, says this year they were able to hire all staff from the Ottawa Valley (including Renfrew, Arnprior and Cobden) and hope to bring them all back when they reopen.

Hemlin says this will have a devastating impact on the season as they make one third of their revenue over the Christmas holidays.

Calabogie Peaks has implemented COVID-19 safety protocols including a new RFID ticketing system that cost over $300,000. Hemlin says the new ticketing system will allow them to track all tickets and control numbers on the ski hill.

Other COVID-19 safety measures include opening another 8,000 square foot space to allow for distancing when warming up and getting dressed, turning the lodge to a restaurant and encouraging people to eat lunch at their vehicles. Hemlin says they have actually seen some people with small BBQ’s in the parking lot and everyone seems to be following the rules.

Hemlin says Ontario is the only area in North America where ski hills are closed and he fears customers will travel to Quebec where the facilities are able to remain open.

An online petition to allow Ontario ski hills to reopen during the provincial shutdown has over 20,000 signatures.

The Calabogie Peaks ski hill will be open today until to December 24th from 9:00am to 4:00pm and on Christmas Day from 10:00am to 4:00pm. On December 26th, Calabogie Peaks will put the ski season on pause for the government mandated shutdown until January 23rd, 2021.