With Olympics on horizon, Sochi gets a welcome dusting of snow

The first snow of the season has fallen on the mountains where the 2014 Sochi Olympics take place early next year. It’s only a dusting, but it’s a welcome sight for organizers.

According to FIS, the international ski federation, a light storm hit the Sochi mountain range and the slopes at the Extreme Park in Kasnaya Polyana/Rosa Khutor, where the freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions will be held.

FIS officials made their final inspection of the venue in mid-October. More than 500 athletes will compete in various events on the sculpted terrain in the Games that begin Feb. 7.

“First snow and cool temperatures are giving hope for a good start to the winter,” FIS race director Uwe Beier said on the federation’s website. “But of course, we are always considering the ‘worst case’ and will be ready for that.”

Sochi is a Black Sea resort and the nearby mountains can be unseasonably warm during some winters. Organizers have been storing snow in the nearby Caucasus Mountains should the competition sites need help.

If nothing else, FIS officials said that construction of the slopestyle venue is nearly finished.

“The most significant work has now been completed and the organizers are getting ready for the final sprint,” Beier said.

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