Western Canada is predicted to get a colder and snowier winter than average thanks to a La Niña system in the Pacific and the signs so far this autumn/fall are looking good.
Canada’s season is expected to start this Saturday, November 2nd, with Banff’s Mt Norquay ski area expected to open, although it describes the date as “tentative” and is yet to confirm whether it will do so or not.
“Western Canada is well-known for its heavy snow and powder mornings during a La Niña forecast and with the first winter edition of the Invictus Games being held in Whistler and upgraded lift systems opening at various resorts in BC and Alberta, we can’t wait to get our clients out on the slopes to enjoy what is set to be a winter to remember,” said Michael Williamson-Giles, Ski Product Manager at North American ski holiday specialists Frontier Ski.
Banff’s other two ski areas, Lake Louise and Sunshine (pictured above on Monday), seem more certain of opening at the end of next week with other Albertan ski areas including Marmot Basin near Jasper and Naskiska, close to Calgary, also due to open imminently.
The good news is the region has had frequent cold and snowy weather over the past two months, with snowfall intensifying in recent days.
In BC, Sun Peaks is expected to be the first area to open in just over a fortnight’s time on November 16th, with North America’s largest Whistler Blackcomb, on the 22nd. Kicking Horse published the image below on Monday.
It’s also been colder on the East coast with ski areas like Quebec;s Mont Tremblant firing up their snowmaking systems with the season start just over three weeks away there.
