Ski hills open after big snow dump this week

Skiiers and snowboarders rejoice. The season is here.

A major dump of snow this week means many of Metro Vancouver's ski slopes are opening up for the winter.

Whistler-Blackcomb opened its season on Wednesday after 25 centimetres of snow fell overnight. Up to 80 centimetres of snow is expected by Sunday.

Cypress Mountain opened Friday, with 40 per cent off lift tickets.

Its slopes received more than 100 centimetres of snow in the past week and another 20 centimetres, 24 hours before opening day.

Meanwhile, Grouse Mountain planned to welcome skiers and snowboarders on Saturday — after more than 40 centimetres of snow fell over the last seven days.

"I'd say this is within sort of a normal time for us to be starting the season," said Grouse Mountain communications manager Julia Grant. "Usually latter half of November into early December."

Last year's success

In early November, Environment Canada had expressed some concern over whether ski slopes would open on time because of record-breaking warmth in some parts of the province.

Ski resorts had seen an early start in 2015 and many had experienced a banner year. Operators were hoping to mimic last year's success and a late start may have caused a major setback.

Grouse Mountain opened last year on November 20. Grant says she's excited to get the season going, even though it didn't start as early as last year.

"It's opening up in a normal sort of date range for us, so I think we're just confident in the season ahead and getting everything going here," said Grant.

Grant adds that even though Grouse Mounain is for sale, it shouldn't impact the day-to-day experience for skiers and snowboarders this season.