Whistler Mountain open early thanks to cold, snow

Cooler temperatures and a series of snowstorms has helped Whistler Mountain open a day earlier than scheduled.

Whistler-Blackcomb’s Mason Buettner said the mountain’s runs opened Wednesday following a cold spell and some heavy snow earlier in the week.

There were 14 runs open, with downloading in effect until the lower slopes get more coverage. Blackcomb Peak opens Thursday, with limited skiing and riding.

Despite some warm conditions last month, Whistler has rebounded in recent days and the snow base is sitting at 126 centimetres.

“We have had some colder temperatures and they were able to pump out a lot of snow,” Buettner said of the resort’s extensive snow-making system in place.

By the end of the week, he said they expect to have about 65 cm of new snow.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald said winter has returned to the mountains with a vengeance.

“We are into a much more seasonal trend with back-to-back storms and a few more are expected to come,” he said of the conditions higher up, adding, it appears the cold will stay for the next two weeks.

Other ski resorts are waiting for more snow before opening their slopes.

The weather has search and rescue crews getting ready for the winter ahead.

Coquitlam Search and Rescue manager Mike Coyle said they have just finished installing high-tech equipment in a new $450,000 command centre truck they will use when conducting a search.