Riding Mountain National Park working to overcome recent weather
More rain is coming this weekend to parts of Manitoba, but Riding Mountain National Park is still trying to get rid of the snow that hit the province a few weeks ago.
Two of the main routes in and out of the park have been washed out due to flooding and snow drifts can still be found throughout the area.
Clear Lake is also covered in ice.
Ice covers Clear Lake in Riding Mountain National Park (CTV News Photo Taylor Brock)
Despite the weather setbacks, the Town of Wasagaming is dry and open for business.
“Clear Lake is open and a lot of the businesses have managed to get open despite those weather challenges,” said Karly McRae, the owner of Lakehouse Hotel and Ice Cream.
“Just this past weekend we had a wedding for 200 people that we’ve been working to get ready for.”
Golf courses in the area are also set to open soon, and those hitting the green might have to deal with some extra obstacles.
“They might be hitting into the odd snowbank, but we do plan to be open,” said Ian Sarna, the general manager of Clear Lake Golf Course.
Clear Lake Golf Course near Riding Mountain National Park will be opening soon, though golfers might still see some snow from recent blizzards (CTV News Photo Taylor Brock)
Sarna is hoping to see the typical 300 people a day when the course opens for May Long Weekend.
He also co-owns a nearby resort, which he said is having a record year.
“I think people are really anxious to get out, get out of the snow banks and enjoy the summer.”
Riding Mountain National Park will not be quite ready to fully open.
Some of the campsites are in good shape, but others have some flooding issues or are covered in snow.
“We are trying to clean them up as quickly as we can, but some definitely will not be available,” said Scot Shellborn, the visitor services coordinator for the park.
A road is flooded in Riding Mountain National Park (submitted photo)Hiking paths will be open but hikers are being told to expect snow and water on the trails.
“We want people to come, for sure. But we just want them to prepare accordingly.”
Businesses in the area are prepared for people to flock come May Long Weekend, despite the remnants left behind from recent storms.
“We have seen everything from 30 degrees to ice and snow storms on the weekend and it never really seems to put a damper on people wanting to come to the lake,” said McRae.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Thunderstorms kill 4 in southern Ont., knock out power in parts of Que.
As the May long weekend kicked off, a massive thunderstorm in southern Ontario and Quebec brought strong wind gusts that knocked down trees, took out power and left at least four people dead.

Flu cases on the rise in Canada despite expected fall
The federal government is reporting a sharp rise in influenza in recent months, at a time of the year when detected cases generally start to fall in Canada.
Toronto investigating first suspected case of monkeypox
Health officials in Toronto say they are investigating the first suspected case of monkeypox in the city.
A 'relieved' Jason Kenney says he won't run in the UCP leadership race
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he will not be running in the race to pick a new leader of the United Conservative party.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine an 'act of madness,' former U.K. PM Blair says
The United Kingdom's former prime minister Tony Blair says Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to invade Ukraine is an 'act of madness.' In an interview on CTV's Question Period airing Sunday, Blair said Putin doesn't appear to be the same man he knew in the early 2000s.
Buffalo shooting victim laid to rest; city marks 1 week
Roberta Drury, a 32-year-old woman who was the youngest of the 10 Black people killed at a Buffalo supermarket, was remembered at her funeral Saturday for her love for family and friends, tenacity 'and most of all, that smile that could light up a room.'
The science behind why smoke seems to follow you around a campfire
Why does smoke seem to follow you around a campfire? B.C. research scientist Kerry Anderson told CTVNews.ca the answer actually boils down to physics.
Expert's tips on what to do if you're being carjacked amid rash of Toronto incidents
Some drivers in Toronto may be feeling on edge as Toronto is dealing with a rash of violent carjackings targeting mostly high-end vehicles.
A year of trauma, catharsis and finally peace for some survivors of Kamloops school
The nightmares started last May, said Harvey McLeod, chief of the Upper Nicola Indian Band and a survivor of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.