Heavy snowfall allows Mount Washington to open earliest ever in 8 years

Vancouver Island’s beloved Mount Washington Alpine Resort is gearing up to welcome skiers and snowboarders earlier than usual this year, thanks to an unprecedented snowfall for November.

Recent storms, including the bomb cyclone that battered much of BCs coast, left behind a hefty blanket of snow at the resort, with a base of 258 centimetres reported on the mid-mountain Whiskey Jack plot as of Thursday morning.

“We are SO back! Get your skis onto the snow this weekend at Mount Washington for the first of our early opening bonus days, from November 30th to December 1st,” read an excited statement from company on their website.

This marks the resort’s earliest opening in more than eight years and signals the start of what many are hoping will be an exceptional winter season, spurred on by La Niña weather patterns.

To celebrate this rare opportunity, Mount Washington will host a special early opening weekend on November 30th and December 1st, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both the Whiskey Jack and Hawk Chairlifts will be in operation, offering access to a range of terrain for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers and snowboarders.

However, the resort noted that the magic carpets, often used by children and first-timers, will not be operational. For this reason, the sneak peek weekend is not recommended for those new to skiing or snowboarding or for children under six years old.

For Nordic enthusiasts, the Raven Lodge Nordic Centre will also open with 12 kilometres of groomed cross-country skiing trails and three snowshoe trails ready for adventurers.

While the snow may be in mid-season form, not all resort amenities will be available during this early opening—make sure to check before heading out.

This early opening serves as a teaser for the official season launch on December 13, 2024, when Mount Washington will kick off full operations. Details on additional facilities and terrain openings will be shared in the coming weeks.