Get those edges sharp and bases waxed, because ski season is here.
Two of the ski hills on Vancouver’s North Shore are opening this weekend.
Cypress Mountain Resort is first to open, welcoming eager skiers and riders on Friday at 9 a.m.
Following soon after is Grouse Mountain, with its tram bringing winter sport enthusiasts up to the Peak of Vancouver on Saturday at 9 a.m.
That’s two weeks earlier than last year, when Cypress opened Dec. 7 and Grouse Dec. 8.
Both will have limited terrain to start.
Cypress will have its Eagle Chair and Easy Rider lifts open, “with more to come soon after,” the resort said on its website.
“Please keep in mind we will have early season snow conditions,” the resort said.
Guests should also keep in mind that Cypress is debuting pay parking at its main lots this winter.
Cypress’s Nordic Area for cross-country enthusiasts is closed for now, with updates expected in the near future.
On opening day, Grouse will have Paradise and Paradise Jib Park open, accessible via the Greenway Chair, as well as Heaven’s Sake and Peak runs via the Peak Chair.
Lift tickets are available now at a reduced rate until additional terrain opens, according to a Grouse press release.
“Thanks to Mother Nature and the hard work of our grooming and snowmaking team, we’re ready to kick off another great winter season at The Peak of Vancouver,” said Grant Wahl, Grouse Mountain’s director of operations.
Compared to last season’s El Niño system, which brought generally warmer conditions, meteorologists are predicting a La Niña climate for the 2024-25 season, Grouse said.
“A La Niña winter typically brings below-average temperatures combined with above-average precipitation,” which typically means more snow on the mountains.
Grouse is also set to open its new gondola system this season, but a start date hasn’t been announced yet.
“This exciting new gondola features 27 eight-person cabins and will double our current upload and download capacity, getting guests to and from the slopes faster than ever,” said Michael Cameron, president of Grouse Mountain.
For snowshoers, Grouse has already opened its Blue Grouse Lake Loop, and the Snowshoe Grind to Snag Tree.
Mt Seymour has yet to announce an opening date.
Whistler opened its first ski terrain on Thursday.
