North America Weekly Snow Roundup #287

Early Season Highlights

Record-early openings at Sunshine and Winter Park mark a solid start to the 2025–2026 ski season across Canada and the USA. The Canadian season was expected to begin later this week, focusing on Banff National Park resorts.

Canadian Resorts Opening Schedule

Lake Louise scheduled to open Friday.
Sunshine announced an early opening on Sunday, November 2nd—its earliest ever.
Other resorts including Nakiska, Jasper’s Marmot Basin, and Banff’s Mount Norquay planned to follow shortly afterwards.

Conditions and Challenges

The season's start faced some challenges; 20 cm (8 inches) of snowfall in the 24 hours before opening caused road access issues. Skiing at Sunshine begins with the Strawberry Express lift, which serves seven intermediate and beginner slopes along with a terrain park featuring seven elements for opening day.

Weather and Pre-Season Overview

This pre-season week was the most successful yet, with a cold and snowy autumn so far. Temperatures stayed below zero during the day, dropped to -15 °C at night, and substantial snowfalls enhanced conditions.

“We’re thrilled to welcome guests back for another unforgettable season,” said Kendra Scurfield, Sunshine’s Director of Brand and Communications. “There’s nothing quite like that first chair of the year, and we’re proud to lead the country in getting winter started.”

Author's summary: The 2025–26 ski season kicked off early at key North American resorts, with Sunshine setting a record early opening despite some access issues, signaling a promising winter ahead.

Snow Forecast — 2025-11-05