Mt. Sima began snowmaking last night as temperatures dipped to optimal levels to prepare for their Dec. 5 opening day.

"We have probably 20-30 centimetres of snow at the bottom,” said Guillaume Rochet, ski area manager for Mt. Sima.

This year Mt. Sima has hired a new snow making manager, Jodie McCutcheon, formerly of Whistler.

"We have the right guy to make snow,” said Rochet.

Rochet says the ski hill is planning to open Dec. 5, provided the weather cooperates.

"It's a go, mother nature permitting,” he said. "If we have only one run, we will be open.”

The snowmaking is being done to prepare a good base for skiing and riding.

Season passes are on sale now until Nov. 21, when they will go up to full price. Right now passes are on for $215 for children, $330 for youth and $430 for adults.

On Nov. 20, a Warren Miller movie will be played at the Yukon Art Centre as a fund raiser for Mt. Sima.

"It's a famous movie, it usually comes each November,” said Rochet. The movie will feature free ride skiing and snowboarding.

New this year will be snow shoe rentals.

"People can now rent snow shoes in the rental shop for the first time,” said Rochet.

Mt. Sima will also have music played all around the hill every day of the season.

Local artist Stephanie Ryan is designing a sticker for Last Run Lager that will be unveiled soon.

"I don't know what the design is yet, I'm pretty excited to see what she creates for us,” said Rochet.

On Dec. 11 to 13 there will be a snowboard level one instructor certification course and a telemark clinic and certification at Mt. Sima.

Also new at Mt. Sima this year is an ice climbing course by Equinox Adventures that has been moved up to the ski hill from Takhini.

The task of building the ice will begin soon, Rochet says.

"We start to build the ice, it takes some time you know,” he said.

Rochet estimates the ice will be in place for the Christmas break, and that packages will most likely be on sale to combine skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing. Lesson packages for ice climbing will also be available.

"It's a good asset for us to have this activity at Mt. Sima,” said Rochet.

Final inspections on Mt. Sima's lift are being done next week, and maintenance was done all summer to keep any surprise malfunctions from effecting the opening day.

"We don't have to expect troubles like in the past,” said Rochet.