With new snow in mountains, is Western Canada less than 15 sleeps away from ski season?

above: Whistler Blackcomb webcam Oct 17, with sunrise and a full moon in view over snowy slopes

In just 15 sleeps we could wake up to this. Looking for snow in the mountains? We're seeing it in multiple places this week. Big White, Fernie, Banff, Whistler… 

Resort crews are counting down the days as they finish constructing new lifts and getting the slopes ready. 

Now it's a race to see who opens first. And as regular snow seekers know, we're counting down the days to the 2024-25 ski season with our opening day sweepstakes contest. The challenge is simple: guess the first resort to open for 2024-25 and you could win lift tix. 

And it's time to start watching that forecast because opening day could be less than 15 days away! Have a look.

Banff is a "10" 

Sunshine saw 10 centimetres overnight into Oct 17. And while it doesn't have the earliest announced opening date, the resort has been known to move up opening day in past years, should the snow come.


Big White 

Big White is off to a strong start, as forecast by our resident weather expert Kyle Brittain, in this story on the secret to Big White's snow stashes.


Kimberley first snow 

Not in the running for first to open—yet—but we're thankful to see this scene. 


Lake Louise stoke 

The First Tracks Winter Kick Off at Louise is a sure sign the season is near. Louise knows how to make Ullr and Khione happy: with a big snow dance! 


The pre-season party is on, and pleasing the snow gods could lead to more stoke, soon…


Norquay's firing 

Still in the official lead for first hill to open, Norquay has its guns out and a little natural dusting too.

Still need skis? (We all know n + 1 is always the total number of skis you need, right? Where n = your current quiver).

Several hills including Norquay and Snow Valley have their ski swaps this weekend.


More resorts getting first snow this week… 

As more hills report snow, you know it won't be long.

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