Surfing Alpine Meadows
That coquettish minx 'La Nina' (a weather trend not an X Factor candidate) is being credited with huge snowfalls in western North America over the past week and resorts there are trying to outdo each other with their claims as to which has the most exciting news as a result. It's not all good though, the sad story of the first avalanche death of the season has been reported.
But firstly here are some of the candidates for best news:
"Biggest Ever November Snowfall."
Squaw Valley on Lake Tahoe announced snowfall figures over the weekend of more than six feet (1.8m) at the start of this week, but they were trumped by less well known Alpine Meadows, which doesn't open for the season until Saturday, which had 10.3 feet (3 metres) of snow lying at 'mid mountain' after the weekends storms which it officially determined were, "the biggest in November ever."
"The mountain changed literally overnight," said Rachael Woods, spokesperson for Alpine Meadows "We're thrilled with the snow conditions. Skiers and riders will experience world-class conditions on November 26, which is Alpine's opening day."
"Twice as Much Snow As This time Last Year."
Aspen, Colorado, opened with a 40 inch (metre) base on Thursday after receiving another two feet (60cm) of snow in the past week,
"We are set for a great opening this week, with more than double the snow and double the terrain open compared to last winter's opening. Crews have been working hard to preserve the snow since October and the base is perfect. With a new storm expected before Thursday, this could be one of the best Aspen/Snowmass opening days in years." said Aspen Skiing Company director Jeff Hanle just before opening day.
"Opening Early"
After Whistler did it, it's not such a novelty for British Columbian resorts, but Kicking Horse, Fernie and Silver Star are all opening early this weekend, although that doesn't include Kicking horse's much anticipated 10th birthday area expansion with its fourth bowl and 15 more chutes due to open in a few weeks time.
"The Most Snow for 10 Years."
Says Steamboat, Colorado which opened for the season on Wednesday – it has more than a metre lying and lots more fresh powder falling this week.
The First Time We've Opened All Out Terrain on Day One
Is what Jackson Hole Wyoming is promising for its opening day on Saturday thanks to all the snow there. It has never before opened all of its lifts and runs on opening day in its 45 year history. Ironically the only thing threatening full opening at the moment is too much snow, as its continuing to fall with nearly three metres accumulated pre-season already.
The First Superpipe To Open In America, Again
"Thank to the four-and-a-half feet of snow this month our new 22 ft superpipe – home to the 2011 Visa U.S. Halfpipe Grand Prix and USASA Nationals is open. Copper is proud to announce the first superpipe to open in North America, for the past six consecutive seasons." Said a company spokesman for the Colorado resort.
It's not all good news however, the small Colorado ski area of Wolf Creek reported the first avalanche death of the season when a ski patrol director was caught in a slide which carrying out avalanche control work.