Snow on all Thompson-Okanagan mountains but ski season still a few weeks away

Big White has received its first blanket of snow this week but a lot more will be needed before the mountain can open.

Eager skiers and snowboarders have taken to social media to circulate screen shots from Big White's webcam footage, showing a snowy village centre and white slopes. 

With Halloween over, it seems the excitement for the ski season is amping up. However, it will still be a little while before anyone can get on the mountain.  

Big White’s Senior Vice President, Michael Ballingall, told iNFOnews.ca that although the mountain is expecting more snow this weekend, it will still be a while until the ski season starts.

"If you were to hold out your arm, we've got about enough snow that covers your fingernail," he said, "and we need that to go up to your shoulder. There's just nowhere near enough. We're expecting snow this weekend. It's very on the border between rain and snow. It's going to have to get colder. But, it's very early yet.”

Staff will be arriving from all across the globe in the coming weeks to prepare for the new season, Ballingall said.

“A lot of training programs are going on right now,” he said. “So getting the mountain ready for opening is what everyone's focused on.”

Right now, the opening date is set for less than three weeks time on Nov. 23, according to the resort's website. But, when the snow comes, the mountain will be open, Ballingall said.

A light cover of snow has also settled on SilverStar Ski Mountain, which has announced that they will be opening their slopes on nordic skiing on Nov. 24 and all other forms on Nov. 30. 

Apex Mountain also shared images of the resort under a thick 30 cm deep cover of snow. The mountain is preparing for its opening day on Dec. 3. 

More mountains will be opening soon with Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops set to open on Nov. 18 and Baldy Mountain Resort near Oliver opening on Dec. 15. 

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