Which of Western Canada's Ski Areas Will Open First?

Can ya feel it? Winter, or something resembling it, is in the air, at least on the highest peaks. Ski resorts across the West have begun to clock their first snowfalls of the season. The leaves are changing. Evenings have a crispness to them. 

While ski season, for many of us, is still more than a month away, Western Canada’s ski areas are prepping for the winter to come. And depending on how cooperative the weather proves to be, some may open sooner than you’d think. The regular frontrunners are situated around Banff, Alberta. They include Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay.

This is a list of tentative opening dates for the region’s major resorts. It’s not exhaustive and doesn’t include some smaller mountains. Where opening dates weren’t published on an official channel, we used TBA, or to be announced. As always, remember that these dates are tentative—they may come earlier or later than planned, depending on the resort. The list may change in the coming weeks. 

Otherwise, think snow. 

Western Canada 2026 Ski Resort Opening Dates

• Lake Louise, Alberta: November 6
• Sunshine Village, Alberta: November 6
• Mt. Norquay, Alberta: November 7
• Marmot Basin, Alberta: November 13
• Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia: November 20
• Sun Peaks, British Columbia: November 21
• Big White, British Columbia: November 26
• SilverStar, British Columbia: November 27
• Castle Mountain, Alberta: December 4
• Panorama, British Columbia: December 4
• Whitewater, British Columbia: December 4
• Revelstoke, British Columbia: December 5
• Fernie, British Columbia: December 5
• Mt. Seymour, British Columbia: December 11
• Mount Washington, British Columbia: December 11
• Red Mountain, British Columbia: December 12
• Grouse Mountain, British Columbia: TBA
• Cypress Mountain, British Columbia: TBA
• Kicking Horse, British Columbia: TBA
• Nakiska Ski Area, Alberta: TBA
• Kimberley, British Columbia: TBA
• Apex Mountain Resort, British Columbia: TBA
• Baldy Mountain Resort, British Columbia: TBA

Related: Shaun White’s Snow League Reveals Stacked Ski Roster for Season Two