Fresh snowfall brings boost to B.C. ski hills as operators brace for busy spring season
Whistler-Blackcomb saw 184 centimetres of snow in the past week, the most in over 3 years: spokesperson
A fresh blanket of snow is setting up some B.C.'s ski hills for a busy spring season as resorts prepare for an influx of visitors eager to take advantage of prime conditions.
An atmospheric river system near Howe Sound last weekend delivered over a metre of snow to higher elevations on the South Coast, bringing the best ski conditions some resorts have seen in years.
Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America, recorded 184 centimetres of snowfall in the past seven days—the highest weekly total since January 2021, according to a resort spokesperson.
"We couldn't have asked for better conditions," Dane Gergovich told CBC News on Friday. "It's ideal, and it's going to make for some gorgeous skiing."
With the fresh powder, crowds are expected to surge at resorts across the province, prompting operators to warn visitors to plan ahead for potential delays on the slopes.
"The powder hounds are going to be out in full force," said Gergovich, adding that skiers should pack their patience as lift lines are expected to be longer than usual.
Grouse Mountain spokesperson Emily Leak says staff are preparing for a busy March break.
"We've seen 90 centimetres of new snow, and we anticipate more snowfall through the weekend and over the next couple of weeks," said Leak.
It's a welcome boost for ski resorts after a difficult 2023-24 season — one of the warmest on record in Canada — that saw sparse snow, heavy rain, and resort closures. Conditions were so poor that B.C. Winter Games events at Troll Ski Resort near Quesnel in B.C.'s central Interior had to be cancelled due to a lack of snow.
January of this year saw historically dry conditions, but Environment Canada says the recent shift toward wetter weather could help compensate for the earlier snowfall deficit.
"As we head into the last half of March and through the spring break period, we are seeing signs of wet weather," said Colin Fong, a meteorologist with Environment Canada. "Overall, for now, the weather looks to be somewhat active as we start off the spring season, but it's too early to say if all of that will fall as snow in the mountains."
However, Fong says the mountains still have enough lingering cold air to support snowfall at higher elevations.
Rising Avalanche Risk
While the weather has created prime ski conditions, Avalanche Canada warns that the rapid accumulation of fresh snow also brings increased risk.
"We've seen elevated danger throughout the South Coast and southern Interior with those new storms, and we're expecting that to continue into this weekend with more stormy weather on its way," said Avalanche Canada forecaster Zoe Ryan.
The new snow has fallen on a weak base, she says, and avalanches are more likely to occur as the fresh snow may not bond well and slide off.
The forecaster says March is typically the snowiest month of the year in B.C.
"It is a challenging month," Ryan added. "It's when, statistically, the most avalanche fatalities happen."
Avalanche Canada says the danger level at most ski regions in the province is "considerable," meaning avalanches are possible at both alpine and treeline elevations.
In the Columbia Mountains, the risk level has been raised to "high"— the fourth-highest category on a five-level scale.
Ryan advises backcountry skiers and snowboarders to check avalanche bulletins regularly and avoid high-risk terrain.
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With files from Renée Lukacs