The ski slopes of Briežkalns and Gaiziņkalns have begun preparing the slopes for the winter season. With favorable weather, the first slopes may open as early as this weekend, and the main slope by Christmas.
The owner of Briežkalns, Andris Stradiņš, noted that a training slope and a slope for tubing are currently being prepared. At the moment, about 70% of the snow on the training slope has already been made.
Considering that frost is expected in the coming nights, with temperatures dropping to -5 degrees, Briežkalns plans to prepare these slopes and potentially open them for the first visitors this weekend, said Stradiņš. He also pointed out that a small amount of snow has already been made on the central slope. If the weather conditions remain stable, work on preparing the central slope will begin after the first slopes are completed.
A representative of the Gaiziņkalns ski slope, Juris Stradiņš, reported that in recent years, the season starts with the preparation of one slope. Currently, work is underway on the main slope, and if the frost persists, snow will also be made on other sections. He noted that five years ago, snow was not made at -3 degrees, but now they have to work with what they have. The process is slower, but the amount of snow is gradually increasing. Snow is planned to be made until Thursday, November 27, and further actions will depend on weather forecasts. After the next cycle of snowmaking, it will be clear whether the entire slope can be prepared and opened to visitors or only the main part will be opened. It all depends on the air temperature.
Stradiņš added that the main goal is to open the main slope by Christmas. In November, the slope will not yet be accessible. If they are unable to make snow on the large slope, it will be used as a slope where one can learn to ski and snowboard.
