It's taken two years and more than $3 million, but local ski and snowboard enthusiasts will finally be able to enjoy all of the incredible upgrades to Mount Sima when the hill opens to the public next month.

While the new freestyle terrain park was put to the test last season, there's still plenty more in store for Yukoners, including what is perhaps the most anticipated improvement the new ski lodge.

On Wednesday afternoon, the media were invited for a tour of the $1.7 million facility, which is still under construction. With more than 8,000 square feet of usable space, compared to less than 3,000 in the old lodge, the structure is certainly impressive.

The plans call for a lower level, which will house the rental shop as well as the ski patrol, a main level with a concession/restaurant, a large seating area and office space, and an upper level which will feature a lounge/bar and deck.

Chock full of windows, the new lodge also offers great views of the hill, specifically the aerial events.

'I think it's going to be incredible,' said Richard Roy, general manager of Sima. 'It has some beautiful views.'

The lodge is supposed to be completed by Dec. 10, although Roy acknowledged the work is running a little bit behind. He's hopeful they'll be able to make up the lost time, since extra construction staff has been hired.

'We plan to open (Sima) December 16, the first day of school break,' said Roy, adding the crew may have to do a few of the finishing touches after the hill is open.

The Canada Games contributed $110,000 towards the new chalet, with the remainder of the money coming from all three levels of government, including the territorial Community Development Fund, as well as Lotteries Yukon.

Pairing with the new lodge is a warming hut on the top of the mountain, which will be a great place to warm your toes after a ride on the chair lift on the cooler days, before heading back down the trails.

Funding for the warming/patrol hut was received from the Community Development Fund, the Canadian Ski Patrol and the Whitehorse Rotary Club.

The Canada Games also provided more than $1 million for hill upgrades, including the freestyle area, a new t-bar lift and new snow making equipment.

Originally, the snow making system at Sima was designed for cold weather, but now, said Roy, they've shifted the focus. The new system will allow them to make the fluffy white stuff at just barely freezing.

'That was our biggest problem last year, the temperature fluctuating from zero to -30 C,' said Roy. 'Unfortunately, it didn't stay cold long enough to accommodate snow making. We were fighting with it all year long.'

'Our basic plan now is to make snow before we open and not have to do it again after.'

Roy hopes to get the ball rolling right away, starting with snow making this weekend. A crew will be coming in next week to put up the towers for the t-bar.

'It's coming. Obviously, we would like to see it done by now, but it'll get there.'

The t-bar will start at the bottom of the mogul run (the bottom of Coyote, just off of Haley's) and go up to Racer's Traverse. It's designed for athletes and spectators to access the half-pipe, freestyle area and the lower 2/3 of Dan's Descent.

The Slalom event for alpine skiing at the Games will also be accessible by t-bar, however, the G-S, Super G and Parallel G-S races will require the chair lift.

Sima will be open to the public during the Canada Games, with exception of special closures in the event areas. Sima pass holders can watch the events from outside the fencing for free, however, those wishing to watch from the spectator-specific areas will need to buy tickets from the Games office.

'The Canada Games will be a great opportunity for Yukoners and visitors to not only watch some of the best skiers and snowboarders in the country compete right here on our hill, but to support our hometown athletes as well,' said Karen Thomson, vice-president of sport for the 2007 Games.

'Spectators will not be disappointed when it comes to the calibre of skiing and snowboarding that they will be able to see in this first rate facility.'

The Yukon will be represented in both alpine and freestyle skiing at the Games, as well as snowboarding, which is a demonstration sport.

The local freestyle team is relatively new to the sport, but will be lead by new head coach Jon Standing, who arrived in the territory just a couple of weeks ago.

Standing will also assist Dick Eastmure in coaching the alpine team, and has taken on the title of alpine sports coordinator for the Yukon, which means he's in charge of all the new program development.

He comes to Whitehorse from Golden, B.C., where he worked for three seasons. He's also worked at ski hills in Jasper, Canmore and Europe previously.

'Initially, I was brought in because of my experience in program development and high level coaching,' said Standing, who had been to Whitehorse before to hold clinics for freestyle athletes.

'This will definitely be a challenging job, but the facilities are great. The terrain park and freestyle site are fantastic. The summer grooming is great.'

The one thing missing at Sima, Standing admitted, is lighting for night skiing. In a place where days are extremely short in the winter, lights are necessary so the athletes can get in more training time, he said.

But overall, he has high hopes and big plans for the future.

'The vision I have for Yukon is to turn it into a high performance centre. Everything you need is already here. Eventually, I'd like to see Olympic athletes come out of Yukon, both alpine and freestyle.'

The first step is developing the local youth program, said Standing. Mount Sima, Alpine Ski Association Yukon and Freestyle Yukon are providing programs run by certified coaches to work with young athletes on everything from basic skiing skills to fundamental race and freestyle techniques.

Standing has a long-term goal of recruiting 80 or so young athletes for the programs. He's aiming for 42 athletes this year.

'The challenge I have this year also is to get more adults involved,' said the coach, pointing out the new Thursday afternoon program for adults starting this season.

'It's for all abilities basically, as long as you can ski already.

'It's a fun program and there will be races, coaching, videos and prizes.'

Alpine Ski Association Yukon and Freestyle Yukon are also recruiting coaches and Standing is offering training. He's hoping to run an entry-level freestyle coaching course at the start of the season. Anyone interested can e-mail jonstanding@hotmail.com.

Meanwhile, season's passes for Mount Sima are now on sale at Hougen's Sportslodge. Early bird prices are in effect now until November 18, the day Warren Miller's latest ski movie is set to premier at the Yukon Arts Centre.

All season's pass holders will be entered into a draw on Dec. 16, for a package from Air North. The package includes two return tickets to Vancouver on Air North, weekend hotel accommodation and tickets to a local Vancouver ski hill.