Cypress, Grouse ski hills to open this weekend
Two Metro Vancouver area ski hills have been busy making snow for weekend opening
Metro Vancouver is in the midst of an early cold snap with overnight temperatures dipping down to around -5 C, and though snow hasn't been falling, two local ski hills have been making it.
The North Shore's Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain ski hills are opening for the season this weekend.
Grouse Mountain spokeswoman Jacqueline Blackwell said the hill typically opens later on in November, but the cool weather has allowed a jump on the season—even if the dry weather means little snow has fallen.
"These are optimal conditions for making snow," she said. "We have the largest fleet of snow makers on the North Shore, so when it is cold and clear like this they can get out there and get guns firing and cover a lot of ground in a short time."
The hill will open at 9 a.m. Saturday but not all areas will be usable and only one lift, the Blue SkyRide, will be running.
"We have Paradise Bowl and Paradise Jib Park open. It is limited terrain, but our snow making team has done terrific work and we are really excited to get going," she said.
Cypress Mountain said on its website it is opening a "top to bottom" run Saturday at 10 a.m. PT, with the Eagle Express and Easy Rider Quad chairs operating.
Opening Day for Whistler and Blackcomb has been set for Nov. 27, two weeks from now, and Sun Peaks is scheduled to open Nov. 22.
With files from the CBC's Richard Zussman