Heavy Snow Falls in North America as More Resorts Open

2nd November 2023

Last modified on November 3rd, 2023

Lake Louise in Canada fired up some lifts on Friday with other resorts set to follow. Resorts are also opening in the USA. UPDATED

Lake Louise in Alberta is the first main ski resort in Canada to open.

It was due to open on November 10th, but has brought things forward by a week after fresh snow and cold temperatures.

🚨NEW OPENING DAY🚨 We’re opening for the season on November 3. Thanks to our hard working staff who have been able to make this happen. Stay tuned for what to expect THIS Friday!
📅 Nov 1#skilouise #juatlakeit #lakelouise pic.twitter.com/KftJQKQCkg
— Lake Louise Ski Resort & Summer Gondola (@SkiLouise) November 1, 2023

Lake Louise, Canada. Image c/o Josh Segeleski.

Lake Louise Opening Day: On the mountain

Fresh snow overnight amped up the excitement for opening day.

Even before the bull wheel started spinning, the energy was palpable as skiers and riders lined up to score opening day commemorative T-shirts reserved for the first 200 riders on the Glacier Express Chair.

Once on-mountain, accessible terrain included Wiwaxy, Bald Eagle, and parts of Easy Street.

Peels of laugher and cheers wafted skyward as groups of riders took turns stomping tricks on table top jumps, boxes and rails in the terrain park.

For those craving meal-time favourites, the Lodge of Ten Peaks Cafeteria, Slopeside Coffee and Bier Stube were serving up burgers, sandwiches, snacks and treats, while the Powder Keg welcomed guests with post-ski pints.

Lake Louise, Canada. Image c/o Josh Segeleski.

Mt Norquay also opened on Friday 3rd November.

“The first major snowfall of the season blanketed the Canadian Rockies just last week, dropping an impressive 29 cm in just 48 hours,” said Steve Pampel from Ski Big 3 to PlanetSKI.

“In addition, cooler temperatures settled in, creating ideal conditions for snow-making to supplement the natural snow base.

“Full credit to the resort teams for getting ready so early.”

Mt Norquay, Canada. Image c/o Dan Evans.

Mt Norquay, Alberta, Canada.

Mt Norquay Opening Day: On the mountain

With a dusting of fresh snow for opening day, Mt. Norquay was a mix of locals, visitors, former Olympians and national team athletes all excited to once again be sliding on snow.

Located just 10 minutes from town, Mt. Norquay is the closest SkiBig3 resort to the town of Banff.

As of 9:00am, Cascade Chair was spinning as well as the magic carpet in the Sundance Learning Area.

Cascade run was groomed to perfection with cotton candy skies framing Mt. Norquay’s iconic view of Mount Rundle and the Town of Banff.

The Cascade Lodge was warm and welcoming, buzzing with the lively chatter of enthusiasts spanning all age groups, from young toddlers to seasoned veterans.

The shared excitement of returning to the slopes permeated the air.

Mt Norquay, Canada. Image c/o Dan Evans.

Banff Sunshine is scheduled to open on Thursday November 9th, weather permitting.

Nakiska, also in Alberta, is about to open for a ‘preview weekend’ on Saturday and Sunday.

Canada. Image © PlanetSKI.

There has been some good early season snowfall in the USA too.

Arapahoe Basin in Colorado was the first main US resort to open, last Sunday October 29th.

First major US ski resort opens

Keystone in Colorado opened on Wednesday 1st November:

Happy Opening Day! The 2023-24 season is officially underway and we celebrated in style under bluebird skies with donuts, coffee and cocoa, DJ music, low temps and high spirits! Drop an emoji in the comments ❄️ 🤩 that shows how you feel about the return of ski season! pic.twitter.com/9eMjwCmnmC
— Keystone Resort (@KeystoneMtn) November 1, 2023

“Winter is here, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Chris Sorensen, Vice President and General Manager at Keystone Resort.

“Our teams have worked so hard to make this day possible, and it is such a privilege to kick off what will be a really special year for us at Keystone.

“Later this season skiers will have lift access to Keystone’s high alpine terrain for the very first time, thanks to the debut of our high-speed, six-passenger Bergman Express chairlift.

“This new lift will be a gamechanger for our resort and is just one of the many exciting things we have to look forward to this season.”

Image c/o Keystone resort.

Arapahoe Basin and Loveland in Colorado battle it out each season to try to be the first to open.

This year A-Basin took the spoils.

It was looking like being on artificial snow mainly, but then Mother Nature delivered some fresh snow:

100s of skiers and snowboarders turned out for their first turns of the winter.

Minutes away from the start of the ski season in Colorado with a Arapahoe Basin getting ready to open! #9News @Arapahoe_Basin pic.twitter.com/R0k5dzhyMx
— Matt Renoux (@MattRenoux) October 29, 2023

Here’s a report on proceedings from the resort as it opened on Sunday:

It’s looking good in Loveland too after the fresh snow.

Just took a cat ride up and hiked down. It’s starting to look good! We hope to have some opening day news this week or next. 🎥 @DustinSchaefer pic.twitter.com/lJA2CFOAvs
— Loveland Ski Area (@LovelandSkiArea) October 30, 2023

Winter Park and Eldora Mountain ski resorts in Colorado opened some slopes on Friday 3rd November.

Projected opening dates for a few other main US resorts:

Mammoth – November 10th

Breckenridge – November 10th

Vail – November 10th

Copper – November 13th

Park City – November 17th

Heavenly – November 17th

Jackson Hole – November 24th

A little-known resort in the east of the country opened a small slope the previous weekend to claim to be the first ski area in the USA to offer skiing and snowboarding.

It was Ski Ward in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

We reported on it at the time: