Snow shortage forces ski area to suspend operations

Skiing at the popular East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center south of Pocatello has effectively come to a halt after a week of warmer-than-usual temperatures.

After poor skiing conditions Sunday, the city-managed ski center put instructors and ski patrols on hiatus until further notice and has suspended on-site rentals.

Those who choose to ski on their own are being asked to pay the normal fee using one of the red boxes placed at the ski center’s trailheads.

“The trails remain open for the intrepid skiers that still dare to tread there,” said Lance Clark, the center’s outdoor recreation supervisor.

Clark said snow has been in short supply since last year’s Christmas snowstorm.

“Our Creekside trail, the very bottom, we would have to honestly report zero inches,” said Clark.

He reports some trails still have 6 to 8 inches of snow, but that pools of standing water make skiing difficult for most.

“It’s just hard to recommend as a good family activity or a beginner activity right now,” said Clark.

But because of the way the trails are constructed, Clark said it would only take a couple of inches of snow for the center to resume normal operations.

“Five inches would make it good. Two inches would make it doable,” said Clark.

Volunteers are monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

Clark said the ski center will still go ahead with the Potato Cup Race this Saturday.