Ski season nears with 'significant snowfall' forecast for Sea-to-Sky region

Whistler, B.C., is expected to see its first "significant snowfall" of the season this weekend as a storm system moves across the province on Saturday.

The company that owns Whistler-Blackcomb says it is kicking things off by opening one of its ski hills a day earlier than expected.

Vail Resorts says Blackcomb Mountain will be open for skiing starting next Thursday, one day ahead of schedule, and Whistler Mountain will open the following day.

The report for Whistler-Blackcomb on Friday says the area had seen 43 centimetres of snowfall over the last 48 hours and 95 centimetres in the last week.

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B.C.'s slopes could see much more snow this season, according to Michael Pidwirny from the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, who recently published a forecast. He said the last ski season was affected by warmer-than-usual temperatures.

The update came as Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Sea-to-Sky region, including Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton. 

The agency says a weather system is expected to arrive on Saturday, bringing rain to the coast and snow to inland areas, where a mix of snow and rain is also possible.

The bulletin says parts of the Sea-to-Sky region could see 10 to 15 centimetres of snow before things taper off Saturday night.

"It's really the first good snowfall of the year," Ross MacDonald, an Environment Canada meteorologist, told CBC News on Saturday morning.

MacDonald said last year's ski season suffered due to the El Niño weather pattern leading to generally warmer-than-usual conditions, but this year could be different as a La Niña pattern develops.

"We're certainly settled into good November weather and we'll just have to see what the rest of the winter has in store for us," he said.

In Metro Vancouver, the weather office says residents will see strong winds and heavy rain that may lead to power outages.

A special weather statement for the region says total rainfall could range from 30 to 50 millimetres before easing overnight on Saturday.

Another statement also warns of a storm surge and high tides along the west coast of Vancouver Island, with MacDonald saying there could be coastal flooding in some areas as a result.

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In eastern B.C., Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for parts of the Cariboo region as well as the Kinbasket, McGregor and North Columbia areas. 

The bulletin says a storm system is expected to cross B.C.'s central Interior on Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall in areas near the Alberta boundary and the Cariboo Mountains. 

"It's a little bit more snow, I would say, particularly if you head further east, closer to the say the Cariboo Mountains there," MacDonald said.

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Just across the border, Alberta's Lake Louise Ski Resort is opening Friday following 41 centimetres of snowfall in the past week.

Areas further west, along the Highway 97 corridor, will see lower levels of snow accumulation, Environment Canada says.

MacDonald said the storm system bringing rain and snow to much of B.C. will ease off starting on Saturday night.

"We'll certainly be left with some unsettled conditions tomorrow, particularly around the Metro Vancouver area with some showers," he said. "But the steady rain should be done."