Riga, Dec 9 (LETA) - The owners of the Ozolkalns and Zagarkalns ski slopes in Cesis region hope to start the skiing season around Christmas, LETA has found out.

Currently, about 10 percent of Zagarkalns slope are covered with artificial snow. Liga Rokpelne, a representative of Ozolkalna Serviss, also said that a couple of test blows of artificial snow have been made.

According to Rokpelne, in order to run all snow blowers, the air temperature should be consistently below -4...-5 degrees C.

"We had hoped to be able to start the season around Christmas, but following the weather forecasts it is doubtful whether this will be possible. Unfortunately, I cannot give an exact date at the moment," said Rokpelne.

Zagarkalns representatives are hopeful that the new season could start around Christmas, but also admit that it depends on the weather conditions.

Rokpelne stressed that this would be one of those years when the season could start relatively late. Last year, for example, skiing was already in full swing in Ozolkalns in early December, but this year the situation is uncertain.