This just arrived in my inbox:

"Few things get skiers and riders more excited than the words 'early opening,' which is why Whistler Blackcomb is thrilled to announce that Whistler Mountain will open six days early, on Friday, November 19. Blackcomb Mountain will open on Thursday, November 25, Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.

 'New snow and low freezing levels, along with the hard work of our mountain operations, grooming, and snowmaking teams mean we can open Whistler Mountain on Friday, November 19,' says Doug MacFarlane, mountain manager at Whistler Blackcomb. 'Though early season conditions will apply, having those first few turns of the season is a great feeling and we’re happy to make that happen for our guests six days earlier than planned.'

 Whistler Mountain will open on Friday, November 19 at 8:30am. Lift and terrain details will be announced early next week."

Expect early season (aka low tow-tide) conditions, but with more snow in the forecast, their should be pow to slash...watch Whistler-Blackcomb’s website for updates, and let La Niña begin.

Patagonia ambassador JD Hare climbs and skis a big line in BC's Tantalus Range: Alpha's Ivory Shoulder.

Winter is nearly here, and you can almost feel the first turns of the season—for a lucky few they've already happened.

In anticipation of the first day of the year, we have partnered with Newschoolers.com to bring you an essay contest. The new issue, #4.2, features 20 pages with the one and only Warren Miller—and an essay from Mr. Miller on his first time ever on skis, which took place in 1937.

Whenever the snow starts falling, they inevitably fill the night--ski dreams. And when the nighttime hallucinations start, in September or October, it is easy to create an early “bucket list” for the upcoming winter. For everyone, that probably involves becoming a better skier. For ladies, a women-specific ski camp is one way to fulfill that list. Maybe a women’s alpine touring clinic. Read on for more details.

...Let the Wild Rumpus Start...

Mt Baker, WA (November 1, 2010) -- They couldn’t have timed it any better—as the annual Mount Baker Film Festival kicked off in downtown Bellingham, the first big storm of the season enveloped the upon upper reaches of Mt Baker Ski Area.

Callum Pettit had a pretty good year...