Latvia's Hills Surrender to Spring — In Liepāja We Don't Understand the Drama

Latvia's ski slopes began mass capitulation this week, which only causes bewilderment in Liepāja. While near Riga some Briežkalns and Žagarkalns announce the end of season, in our city still nobody really understands what kind of sport that was supposed to be.

"Well, we skied all winter down Graudu Street when there was that ice," notes local resident Valdis. "Wasn't that the same skiing?" He adds that he most enjoyed skiing away from the tram, because that was real adrenaline.

Ventspils region's "Lemberga Slopes" still plans to continue operating as long as weather permits, which has raised the question in Liepāja — why can't our wind be cold enough to create our own ski slope? "We have St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral with such ornaments that we could also come up with something for the big winter holidays," muses a lady at the Central Market.

Meanwhile "Milzkalns" representatives in Tukums region still hope for favorable weather conditions, but in Liepāja we know — our weather conditions are only favorable for sea wave action and sand blowing. Which, by the way, is a much more interesting sport than some sliding around on snow.

Finally, it should be noted that "Egļukalns" and "Smeceres Forest" slopes continue operating, as there is supposedly "sufficient snow cover." In Liepāja we call that "normal November weather," but nobody makes a fuss about it.