Big White Ski Resort set to open Thursday

Not much snow yet, but 3 green runs will open in time for U.S. Thanksgiving weekend

Big White Ski Resort will open for the winter season on Thursday with three green runs giving skiers the chance to glide from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

The resort spent more than $100,000 grooming Easy Out, Highway 33 and Hummingbird during the summer to ensure the long, connected runs are ready as soon as possible, says spokesman Michael J. Ballingall.

“It’s a bit like doing yard maintenance, to ensure the early snow is well distributed,” Ballingall said Monday.

The resort aims to open by U.S. Thanksgiving, which is this weekend, to accommodate ski-hungry visitors from the States.

But Ballingall stressed it’s a limited opening, with just the three runs and the Ridge Rocket, Plaza and Lara’s Gondola operating.

There’s 70 centimetres of snow up top and 26 cm at the base. But some additional snow is in the forecast before the weekend, when more locals are expected at Big White.

“It’s definitely early-season conditions right now,” Ballingall said. “Our message is, ‘Don’t wander. Stay on the runs we’ve made for you.’”

Lift tickets are 50 per cent off until more snow allows for the opening of additional lifts.

Silver Star Mountain Resort near Vernon had also hoped to begin operations on Thursday, but has postponed opening day until snow conditions improve.

“To have a high-quality and safe environment for our guest to enjoy, we need a bit more snow to get open,” said Ian Jenkins, the resort’s director of sales and marketing.