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4 www.durhamregion.com There's no business like snow business SPOTLIGHT AD OF THE WEEK BY MIKE RUTA Staff Writer DURHAM -- Almost one of every three dollars earned each year at Lak-. eridgc Ski Resort is made during the Christmas holidays. holidays. So with yet another balmy start to winter in southern Ontario, this year's season is already down in the books as a poor one. "We're probably down, I'm gonna say, 75 to 80 per cent as far as revenue compared compared to (this time) last year," says Craig MacDonald, MacDonald, general manager of the • Uxbridge skiing centre. "It's pretty devastating." He was interviewed last Friday, when the temperature temperature rose to about 10 C by the end of the day. Seven of the resort's 19 runs were open at the time, but it's been far too warm to make snow for a couple of weeks, Mr. MacDonald said then. Those runs were open thanks to a fairly cold late November/early December that allowed the snow base to hold up. Mike Pearson, _ outdoor operations manager for Dagmar Ski resort in Ash- burn says while their downhill downhill operation did better than expected, there were other problems. "Cross country skiing was hurt bad," he said. "There was no snow at all and cross country relies on natural snow." Mr. Pearson says even with problems on the trails, the number of guests on hills only sagged slightly. Investing in extra snow guns and access to water over the summer, they were able to blanket hills with 18 inches of snow before the warm spell hit. After an even warmer weekend, things are looking up for skiers this week with the arrival of colder temperatures temperatures and some snow. "The temperatures are what we like to see," says, Mr. MacDonald, adding that the centre can make its own snowonce it gets below -6 C. ' Mr. MacDonald says it • only takes two inches of snow to make a difference on the slopes, and he's counting on winter to put on a more familiar, white coat in the near future. "We're optimistic and we're gonna hope that things turn around next week," he says. In recent years, the start of winter has been a crap- shoot for businesses that depend depend on snow and cold or have to endure them: frigid and snowy one year, mild and dry the next. Pickering Nurseries likes to see a winter that gradually gradually gets colder, but not too cold, with "lots of snow" to insulate rose bushes hunkered hunkered down for the winter, says David Crilly, office administrator-manager. administrator-manager. "Especially if (the temperature temperature is) constantly going back and forth, freez- \ ing and thawing, freezing and thawing, it can do a lot of damage," he says. NORETAIL SALES EXPERIENCEREQUIRED! WE WILLTRAINY0U1 » GUARANTEED INCOME WHILE TBAINING! Potentially earn from $36,9001. $79,419 in your first year as a professional RV sales representative! BUSINESS IS BOOMING! Our current advertising program, which has been complimented nicely by the manufacturers recent advertising campaign, continues to produce a never-ending flow of qualified buyers. Unfortunately our current sales staff is not large enough to adequately serve our customers' demands. This has produced several immediate full time positions in our sales department. We are potentially looking for up to 10 qualified applicants to attend our JOB FAIR. We have contracted a professional sales trainer to work with our new salespeople on the basic fundamentals of sales. Maybe the thought of starting a new career that is BASED on a commission pay system is intimidating to someone who has never been in retail sales, but if you re ready to make a positive change in your life and you want to be considered for one of our exciting sales positions APPLY NOW! No retail sales experience required! Hands-on training program Interview Days: Mon. Jan. 12th - Tues. 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Nz Liberty Dental For, , •*!?**'«fo A "?! \ : \ Campkin's Camping Centre 9760 Baldwin Street Highway 12, Myrtle Station, North Whitby NO RETAIL SALES EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! WE WiLLTRAINYOUl • GUARANTEED INCOME WHILE TRAINING} An award-winning news team! mEtROLAHD DURHAM REGION MEDIA GROUP M m METROL NEWS ADVERTISER Œimeô-f ournal This Week m)t Canadian Statesman durhamregion.com Dr. John Balenko, Dr. Karl Vermeulen and Associates. 60 Liberty St. 5., Bowmanville 905-623-7100 Diane Couture Trustee in Bankruptcy has been helping the people of Oshawa deal with financial problems since 1986. She can help you, too. Confidential & Discreet - FREE Consultation AT A NEW LOCATION 78 Albert St @ corner of Bruce <905)725-2790 Toll Free Long Distance: 1-866-790-4380 Richard Killen & Associates Ltd. Trustee in Bankruptcy The „ Comfort lone by Glenn Trider Part lofa New Sériés SPAS & HOT TUBS! Spas, also known as hot tubs have evolved a tremendous degree from I their early origins. What started as wooden hot tubs have now evolved into modern energy efficient products providing tremendous benefits, to every member of the family. ' , It is a growing industry providing your family with quality leisure time, health benefits, fun and relaxation, Spas arc relatively inexpensive to purchase considering their benefits. They can be installed virtually anywhere, whether it is in your home, outside on your deck, or even at your cottage. Installation is easy. Some models come ready to plug into a 110V plug while larger, models require an easy electrical hookup. All models come pre-plumed and some spas are deliberately made light weight so that you can enjoy them outside in the summer, then bring them downstairs if you desire in the winter. It is great fun to frolic from the warm tropical environment of the hot tub through the cold outside air to your house. Larger spas even have hydraulic cover lifters, eliminating any effort at all to jump into the spa. The cover reduces evaporation, maintains heat in the spa and reduces humidity when the spa is not used. Spas can be heated using both gas or electricity, Premium spas have very thick dense insulation so operating costs with an electric heater arc just pennies a day. ■ • To be able to look forward to a relaxing workout at the end of a hard work day and the valuable leisure time given to a couple or family makes them truly a great value. Doclors and medical professionals alike have verified the therapeutic and medical benefits of spa use world wide. Spas have been very popular in Europe for decades and in Nortli America their use has in the past been viewed as a gimmick or device to be enjoyed by the rich and famous only. .. , , Today the positive health benefits and affordability have now made spas more popular than ever! Next Week: Part 2: Crucial information on purchasing your next hot tub or spa. Don't miss out! ^ Big spa sale now on at the COMFORT SHOPPE! I Y We have a spa at a special price for you. I * Come in for your best deal and énjoy the warmth. • Now that colder weather is here. Buy a wood or gas fired stove/fireplace and enjoy the heat this winter. -£x She (Unmfnrt j&hoppc 160 Baseline Rd. E. Bowmanville (905) 623-2956 Open Mon.-Frl. 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sat. 10-4, Sun. CLOSED webelte:www, comtortehoppe.com «mall: comtortOcomtortihoppe.com 2003 teaden ! Choice Awards i , ( >sluu,i W lillhx I'll is Week Serving Durh SOUTH OSHAWA 915 Nelson Street am Region wn NORTH OSHAWA Teunton Squere | |Vfc*e*eiiHidmitifRltii»| Tsunton/Ritson ' 576-6328 571-1446 Mon.-Thur*. 8-5:30 Mon.-10-6, x Fri. 8 -6:00 Tues. &. Wed. 9-6, Set. 8-5:00 Thurs. & Fri. 8-7 f) CLOSED SUNDAY Set. 8-6, Sun. 10-5 ?••• EAST OSHAWA & COURTICE 1300 King St. East (KinjiMy VHIhi SI»n!"! CM,n ) 432-1382 Mon.-Wad. 9-7, Thurs. & Fri. 9-8, Sat. 8-6, Sun. 10-5 WHITBY 1916 Dundas St. East (N/E Comer of Onnrd & Dundit) 434-8454 Tues. & Wed. 9-6 Thurs. 8-7, Fri. 8-7 Sat. 7-6, Sun. 10-5 Questions or Comments e-mail us at halendasmeats@rogers.com • Sale effective until closing Sunday, January II, 2004