Whistler Mountain is opening Friday Nov.17, six days early thanks to strong snow conditions.
"When people show up Friday it's going to be a heck of a day," said Marc Riddell, senior manager of communications for Whistler Blackcomb.
Five lifts will be in operation - the Whistler and Creekside gondolas, Red Chair, Emerald and Franz - over 600 acres will be opened up for skiing over 20 runs.
It will be download out only at this time, said Riddell, adding that there is a metre of snow at Pig Alley, the main measuring station. Snow has been falling steadily with 46 centimetres of fresh snow in the last two days and another 50 cm expected by Friday.
With the colder temperatures in the last few weeks the mountain was also able to "make snow like it was going out of style," he said.
Blackcomb will open on schedule on Nov.23.
