Blackcomb opens today with over 7 FEET of snow

Blackcomb Mountain opened today, joining Whistler Mountain which opened six days early on November 18. 4,300 acres and over 4,085 vertical feet of skiing and riding is currently available, more than anywhere else in the world at this time. Currently 13 lifts, one full terrain park line, and a 15 foot half pipe are open.

“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. 

Seven lifts are currently in operation on Blackcomb Mountain including the Excalibur Gondola, Wizard Chair, Solar Coaster Chair, Excelerator Chair, Catskinner Chair, Crystal Chair and Jersey Cream Chair. The Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Emerald Express, Garbanzo Express and Big Red Express will be running on Whistler Mountain bringing the total lifts in operation to 13, including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Skiing and riding will available right to the village this weekend, one of the earliest dates that a ski out has been available.

 Book Whistler today with Frontier Ski - seat sale ends November 30

Whistler opens early!! Today is the last date to get the best of the Early Bird specials

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TO OPEN SIX DAYS EARLY; FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18




The return of La Nina and an incredible snowmaking infrastructure deliver another early opening to Whistler Blackcomb.

WHISTLER, BC, Monday, November 14, 2011 – Whistler Blackcomb is thrilled to announce Whistler Mountain will open six days early on Friday, November 18. The return of La Nina, forecasted to bring greater than average snowfall, has skiers and snowboarders excited about the start of the ski/ride season. Blackcomb Mountain will open on Thursday, November 24, Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.

“Cold temperatures, early season snow fall and the relentless work of our mountain operations teams is what allows us to open early,” says Doug MacFarlane, Mountain Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “Early season conditions apply but we are very happy with the current conditions. Enjoying the first turns of the season is always an amazing feeling and we are very excited to announce Whistler Mountain will open six days early.”

The alpine forecast is calling for up to 35 centimeters of snow in the alpine before opening on Friday, adding to the current snow base of 55 centimeters at Pig Alley. Additionally, the Whistler Blackcomb snowmaking team has turned over 50 million gallons of water into snow so far this season, the equivalent of covering 250 football fields with up to one foot of snow.

Whistler Mountain will open for the season on Friday, November 18, from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Skiing and riding will be open on the Emerald Express, Big Red Express, and Franz’s Chair with upload access from the Creekside Gondola and the Whistler Village Gondola.

Last day for special offers:

http://frontier-ski.co.uk/resortWhistler%20&%20Blackcomb.php?resorts_id=1

Panorama Mountain Village, Canada

Panorama Mountain Village will officially open for the winter season on Friday, December 9. The resort will welcome this winter with a host of on-mountain enhancements that will keep families and advanced skiers and riders smiling all season long.

A new Snow Tube Park has been added to Panorama’s family amenities so sliding fun can continue on into the night. The Snow Tube Park, located at the base of the mountain, is steps away from Panorama’s slopeside accommodations, and features multiple lanes and conveyor lift access via the Red Carpet.

Four themed festivals will give Panorama Mountain Village reason to celebrate all season long and skiers and riders are invited to join in the revelry. First up is Panorama’s Mountain Snowflake Festival – Jan 21-22, 2012; Panorama’s Mountain Mardi Gras – Feb 25-26, 2012; the Western themed Panorama’s Mountain Stampede – Mar 17-18, 2012; and finally, to wrap up the season, Panorama’s Mountain Spring Carnival – Apr 7-8, 2012. Themed dining experiences, family activities and nightlife will keep the party going each weekend, on and off the snow.

Skiers and riders venturing into Taynton Bowl’s expansive big mountain terrain, famed for holding untracked powder for days after a storm, will be able to take advantage of even more fresh tracks with added glading and pruning.

Freestyle riders will find bigger berms and rowdier whoops in the Rockstar Terrain Park’s permanent Skier and Boarder Cross track. The newly extended banked track runs from the top of the park and leads skiers and snowboarders to the medium and large features in the lower half of the park.

Other enhancements to the mountain include trail widening on Stumbock’s, a fall line thrill ride where skiers and riders can let their boards run on the steep. The Pine Inn has also been redecorated and refurbished with new carpets, beds and updated bathrooms making this value-oriented slopeside hotel the best deal in Western Canada to ski and stay.
To visit Panorama village

Jasper opens tomorrow

Putting the final touches to the grooming on Tranquillity at Marmot Basin - then being checked out by the CEO of Marmot Basin, Jasper's wonderful ski mountain in the Canadian Rocky Mountains!

News from Jasper

A new high speed quad chair, aptly named the Paradise Express will replace the existing Paradise Triple Chair in the upper part of the mountain. This new high speed quad chair will be 42% longer than the existing triple chair yet the ride time will be 35% shorter providing even more slope time while reducing time spent riding ski lifts. The existing Paradise Triple Chair will be relocated to the lower mountain and will replace the School House T-Bar. -

It is all good - opening day tomorrow:)

Check out the deals

New lift at Fernie Alpine Resort

NEW Polar Peak lift takes skiing in Fernie to new heights! This season ‘Ski the Peak’ on the new Polar Peak lift - Fernie will now boast the most vertical and most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies.

Fernie Alpine Resort provides visitors legendary powder, uncrowded trails, mild climate, the best in Après ski fun and much more!  receives up to 37 feet of snow in a season, and attracts a wide range of skiers and riders from around the globe. Delivering over 2500 acres of skiable terrain, 142 named runs, 5 alpine bowls, state of the art snowmaking and grooming equipment, and an exceptional beginner’s area, Fernie is a true winter playground for skiers and riders for all levels.  Also now featuring the most snow, most ski runs and biggest vertical in the Rockies!  What are you waiting for; this is THE winter to ski Fernie - all the usual natural snow plus the extra inches associated with La Nina.
Snow is already falling - opening date December 2nd.
Visit the Frontier Ski site to organise your ski holiday in Fernie 

Whistler Embedded

This November, pro skier Mike Douglas will kiss his family goodbye, shoulder his skis and camera bag and embark on a never-before assignment – to stand watch on the Peak of Whistler Mountain waiting for winter to arrive. Armed only with his computer, his camera and a sleeping bag, the "Godfather of Freeskiing" will document the Inside Story of a mountain moving into winter. Find out if he has what it takes to make it up there on his own.

Follow the story here.....

The picture was taken on Blackcomb Mountain on October 6th.

The snow is still falling