The East Kootenay’s legendary ski hills are ready for another season of downhill fun and action.

Panorama Mountain Village (pictured above) opens today (Dec. 5), thanks to heavy early season snowfalls and colder temperatures allowing for snowmaking have resulted in a jump start to the season, the resort announced last week.

As usual, top end skiers prepped the hill prior to its opening, with hundreds of national and international ski team athletes taking part in training at the resort, 18 km west of Invermere.

Today’s opening is a soft one, as The Mile 1 Quad only will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a limited selection of open runs. For those without season passes, lift tickets will be $49 until the official opening day on December 9 when lift tickets will be full price.

“We just couldn’t keep all this snow to ourselves!” says Rick Jensen, President and CEO. “This early opening is getting people excited about the La Niña season ahead and reminding them of last winter’s amazing conditions.”

Kimberley Alpine Resort, thanks to a large snowfall early last week, opened Dec. 3, but full-time operations won’t begin until Friday, Dec. 16.

As per the norm, Fernie Alpine Resort was the first hill in the region to open, with limited runs available Nov. 26 and the full-meal-deal became available last Friday (Dec. 2).

The resort has been a beehive of activity as work continues on the new Polar Peak lift, which is currently being put into place. It is a special season for Fernie, as the resort turns 50 this year.

“This is the season of celebration, a tribute to all who have helped make Fernie a special place to ski for the last 50 years,” says Matt Mosteller.

With recent snowstorms and La Niña forecasted to return this winter, this is the winter to ski Fernie. Last season Fernie Alpine Resort received 37 feet of snowfall, making it the undisputed leader of snow in the Canadian Rockies and tops in snow in Canada.

Positive construction progress continues on the 50th celebration present – the new Polar Peak lift. With the lift, Fernie now has the most vertical and the most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies.

In Elkford, the Wapiti Ski Hill, offering over 1,000 feet of vertical drop, including beginner and expert runs, will be opening soon.

Operated by volunteers with the Wapiti Ski Club, including a fully trained volunteer ski patrol, the hill features a day lodge and concession, equipment rentals, and a ski school. Skiing is free to children under six years of age and to those over 60 years of age.

Lighting on the two main runs makes night skiing possible Tuesday through Friday from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. All runs are open for daytime skiing on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New this year at Wapiti is ski and snowboard lessons, offered by trained instructors and there is also an instructor course.

The hill also has a Terrain Park this year, allowing skiers and riders a chance to challenge their skills.

Back in the Columbia Valley, at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, its family-friendly ski hill will open Friday, Dec. 16.

Fairmont Hot Springs is the Powder Highway Base Camp, and like Wapiti, it is ideal for beginners as well as keeners.

New for the 2011-12 season, Fairmont has expanded its winter programs to take advantage of one of British Columbia`s best winter recreation areas.

At the hill, Aquafina SnowPlanet has been further improved and is the best place in the Columbia Valley to learn how to ski or board. Built around a magic carpet, learning becomes fun on SnowPlanet, with alien-faced flags and cushions set up to help the little ones master the concept of riding on snow. The resort has also added the Rockstar Terrain Park to help those intermediate skiers and boarders fine-tune their skills and work on their airtime.

And of course, down the hill at the resort are the healing, soothing, 39 C waters of the hot springs, the perfect ending to a day on the slopes.

e-KNOW

 

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