Canada couldn't really hope for a better start to winter 2011-12. While snow deliveries to the Alps for the start of winter seem to have been put on hold and Scandinavia is sweltering under its warmest November for 100 years, Western Canadian resorts are reporting huge and on-going snowfalls that have brought more than 2 metres of snow so far this season to some and it seems 3m tallies are just days away as the snow continues.
Whistler is claiming to have more terrain open than any other resort on earth; Fernie, Panorama and Revelstoke are among resorts opening early and even on the east Coast conditions are right for resorts to start opening this weekend in Quebec.
It's looking good in Alberta, "With over 30cm of snow in the last 24 hours, conditions are great right now at Lake Louise.
All of our chair lifts are open and children will ski for free this weekend." Said the famous resort's Sales & Marketing Manager Mike Moynihan as it gears up to host World Cup racing and looks forward to more than five months of skiing and boarding through to May 2012.
Another of Banff's three resorts, Sunshine Village has opened up a new terrain park today which includes a 10ft downrail, 16ft flatbox, a 24 ft downbox, two rainbows, two mailboxes and more.
"This park is perfect as an early season warm up for the more experienced skiers and borders and a great place for beginners to develop some skills as we progress into larger park later in the season." Said a statement.
In BC Fernie and Revelstoke will open early this weekend for 'preview weekends ahead of main openings a week later, in Panorama's case their early opening will be the 5th of December, as they hadn't planned to open until the 9th.
Up until the 5th, Panorama is home to hundreds of National and International ski team athletes for early season race training. Heavy early season snowfalls and colder temperatures allowing for snowmaking have resulted in a jump start to the season. As of November 24, 2011 the mountain has received over 169 cm (close to 5.5 feet) of snow so far this season.
At Whistler, Blackcomb Mountain opened yesterday, joining Whistler Mountain which opened six days ago. 4,300 acres and over 4,085 vertical feet of skiing and riding served by 13 lifts is currently available, which the resort claims is more than anywhere else in the world at this time.
"We are very excited to open Blackcomb Mountain with such incredible snow conditions and coverage," explained Doug Macfarlane, Mountain Manager of Whistler Blackcomb. "To be able to offer 4,300 acres in November is really exciting, and offers our guests an amazing experience on both mountains."
Cumulatively this November, 237cm (7.7 feet) of snow has fallen, surpassing the average November snowfall of 165cm (5.4 Feet). Another 85cm (2.8 feet) of snow is forecasted to fall by Monday.
On the eastern side of the country Stoneham Mountain Resort in Quebec will open for night skiing today, Friday, November 25 at 4pm and Mont-Sainte-Anne will start operating this Saturday, November 26.
Two trails will be open on the North Side and beginners will have access to the school slope at the base, with the magic carpet lift running. At Stoneham,trail #2 will be open in addition to a small snow park at the base, to please freestyle lovers.