Canada Enjoys Best Ski Season Start in Decades

Ski areas in Western Canada are starting the New Year reporting their strongest start to the ski season this century, and in once case at least since the 1940s!

Whilst much of North America stayed mild and dry, a succession of early storms has transformed the slopes of Alberta and British Columbia into some of the snowiest early season conditions in decades. Resorts across the region are reporting exceptional conditions more reminiscent of mid‑winter than early season, with long‑term records tumbling before Christmas.

Several resorts have already had  more than 5 metres of snowfall with Revelestoke (pictured top) posting a 2m+ base already. However, Lake Louise has emerged as the headline story, logging its highest early‑season snowfall in 75 years. Consistent November and December storms have buried the resort in deep, dry powder, allowing it to open extensive terrain weeks ahead of schedule. Local operators say the combination of cold temperatures and sustained natural snowfall has created “near‑perfect” conditions for both visitors and race teams training on the mountain.

Further south in the Purcell Mountains, Panorama Mountain Resort is celebrating its snowiest start in 30 years. The resort’s upper bowls and tree‑lined steeps have filled in rapidly, with early‑season coverage described as “exceptional” by long‑time staff. The strong start is reported to have boosted early visitation and provided a welcome lift for the local tourism economy.

Coastal Whistler Blackcomb by contrast had a poor November and first-half of December with rain rather than snow and the continent’s largest ski area struggling to open just a couple of runs. But now it too has had significant snowfall and was close to full operation over New Year’s week.

Across British Columbia’s Interior, early storms have also delivered impressive totals. Resorts in the Kootenays and Monashee ranges have reported repeated double‑digit snowfalls, building deep bases far earlier than usual. In Alberta, Sunshine Village and Marmot Basin have both benefited from the same storm track that supercharged Lake Louise, offering some of the best early‑season conditions in the Rockies.

With long‑range forecasts hinting at continued storm activity, operators across Western Canada are optimistic that this winter could be one for the record books. For now, skiers and snowboarders are simply revelling in a rare gift: a ski season that feels like it has arrived fully formed, weeks ahead of schedule.

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