Following a sluggish start to the 2023-24 ski season, Western Canada witnessed a significant turnaround as Mother Nature activated the natural snow-making machine in February, leading to extended operations at several resorts.
Anticipating the last ski weekend, meteorologists forecast a cool upper trough to sweep across British Columbia on Thursday, heralding a 10-20 cm snowfall in high-elevation areas, notably benefiting Whistler-Blackcomb.
The latter half of the season saw substantial snowfall accumulation, with more than 952 cm recorded across the region, indicating a likelihood of the season reaching nearly 90 percent of the normal benchmark.
Interior resorts, including Big White, received over 5 meters of snowfall, comparable to previous seasons like 2018-19 and 2020-21. Similarly, Banff, Alta., experienced over five cm of snowfall, nearing its average seasonal totals.
However, the decision to close a ski resort isn’t solely dictated by snow base numbers. Staffing shortages pose a challenge as many seasonal workers have prior commitments, making even a modest season extension a welcomed move by many. As springtime ushers in typical activities such as baseball, soccer, and golf, skiing naturally wanes in popularity.
While the closing date for B.C.’s Grouse Mountain remains unannounced, it traditionally closes in mid-April. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to seize the remaining powder days of the season by heading to Cypress and Seymour before the lifts halt operations on April 14.
Comparatively, in spring 2023, Mount Seymour concluded operations on April 9, while Cypress remained open until April 16.