With cool temperatures and the return of La Nina, forecasted to bring greater than average snowfall in North America this autumn, it’s looking like a promising start to the ski season – although admittedly not yet as spectacular as the 2010/2011 season.  Some small resorts are open already (with limited runs), but most don’t start until Thanksgiving on 24 November. 

However, Whistler –North America’s biggest mountain – in British Columbia is scheduled to open today, six days early, thanks to several snowfalls over the past few weeks, and consistently cold temperatures, which have enabled the snow cannons to get to work early.  So far there’s 77cm of settled snow on the upper mountain, 23cm of which has fallen in the past 24 hours and more forecast for Sunday and Monday.  

Crowds of skiers and boarders are expected to hit the mountain today, even though the terrain will be limited.  Meanwhile, Blackcomb Mountain will wait to start its season on 24 November – its traditional opening day.