Ski conditions over holidays a mixed bag

Ski conditions in Alberta and parts of British Columbia offer a full gamut over the holidays, according to information from various ski hills across both provinces. 

After weather warnings for large parts of Alberta were issued midway through last week, skiers will be disappointed to learn that the snow didn't find its way to all the slopes equally.

Over the last seven days, a modest amount of snow fell at Norquay and Nakiska, around a foot fell at Sunshine, Kimberly and Castle, 36 centimetres fell at Lake Louise, 44 centimetres fell at Kicking Horse, 56 centimetres fell at Fernie and 79 centimetres fell at Revelstoke.

At Panorama, 31 centimetres of snow over the last week has allowed staff to open the Summit chair.

Norquay appears to be trying to make the most of the snow it's been given by opening its Mystic Express chair over the weekend, while Lake Louise officially opened its Pipestone Express chair last week.

Meanwhile, Sunshine now has Goat's Eye Mountain open for the season, which is sure to help spread out Christmas crowds, and all chairs at Marmot Basin are now up and running.

Dustin Clark is based in Kimberley, B.C. He told Daybreak Alberta host Paul Karchut on Saturday that the area where he usually skis has been blessed with great conditions.

"What a gift we've had the last week down in East Kootenay, it all kind of tracked in Tuesday afternoon," Clark said.

He added the region is well positioned for Christmas crowds to come through.

"I'll reference Fernie and Kimberly and even Panorama in the same breath, we've had really good early-season snow," Clark said. "It's come in nice and moist and dense and so it's really set us up for a fantastic, long season … the East Kootenay hills are definitely set up for success."

Sophia Gould is based in Cochrane, Alta., and usually skis at Nakiska, she told Karchut on Saturday that the slopes there don't have as much snow as she'd like.

"We didn't get that storm, unfortunately, so there's still pretty limited terrain at Nakiska," Gould said.

Dan Thomson is based in the Bow Valley. He says conditions at Lake Louise have been "improving greatly."

"You know, we always get the leftovers from Revelstoke, but we'll take what we can get," Thomson said. "It's been snowing a little bit each and every day, which has made a big difference."