November 26, 2003 -- It's more than three weeks before winter officially arrives, yet early snow in much of the West means a premature start to the ski season and other winter activities. Most excited are the folks up in British Columbia, where the Winter Olympics will be held in 2010 and the Paralympics Games even earlier. Some resorts have already opened ahead of schedule, and most others will most likely follow suit by the time you read this.
As a result of the early snows, this should be "the best opening in ten years," says Vince Accardi, director of marketing for Tourism Sun Peaks in British Columbia.
Already operating at time of writing are Whistler and Sun Peaks in British Columbia, Lake Louise and Sunshine Village in Alberta, and Mt. Baker and Crystal River in Washington State.
Scheduled to open November 25 is Silver Mountain in Idaho, and on the 26th Steamboat in Colorado and Red River in New Mexico.
Thanksgiving Day, November 27, is a big day for openings. Included at time of writing are Big Horn in Wyoming, Big Mountain in Montana, Big Sky in Montana, Discovery in Montana, Durango in Colorado, and Taos in New Mexico.
On December 6, it's time for Deer Valley in Utah and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to get going. December 11 is opening day for Angel Fire in New Mexico and Powder Horn in Colorado. The 12th should see the ribbons cut (or whatever) at Sundance in Utah. On December 13, Crested Butte and Aspen Highlands, both in Colorado, are scheduled.
A reminder: you don't have to ski in order to enjoy ski country. Après-ski (the sport I cultivate) can be enough reason to visit a snowy destination, but there are plenty of other activities available at many resorts and ski areas, such as show shoeing, skating, snowmobiling and sleigh rides. Not to mention that close relative of skiing, snowboarding.
Many opening dates, with more to come, can be found at either of these websites: www.onthesnow.com and www.snocountry.com.