Backpacker Buzz

Western Canada's mountains are loading up with snow and some resorts are already open for the 09-10 season. Within the next month, the rest should be in full operation. Get the low down on open dates, snow reports and HI's ski pacakges right here.

ALBERTA
Sunshine Village, Banff - Banff's snowiest mountain is ready to open tomorrow, November 11, with more than 50 cm of snow already down and even more on its way.
Lake Louise Ski Resort, Lake Louise - Banff National Park's biggest resort opened November 6 and is sitting pretty with a 53 cm base and counting.
Mount Norquay, Banff - Little big Norquay is open on weekends now until December 4th when they open 7 days a week.
Marmot Basin, Jasper - Jasper's hometown mountain opens tomorrow, November 11, with more than 75 cm on top.

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Fernie Resort, Kootenays - Famous for snow, Fernie is set to open December 5th and a spate of recent snow storms make it look like they'll be right on schedule.
Whistler/Blackcomb, Whistler - Arguably Canada's best and the mountain home of the Olympics, Whistler/Blackcomb has been loading up on snow since early October and is set to open November 26.
Cypress, Seymour and Grouse, Vancouver - It's been rainy and cold in Vancouver which means it's snowing on the city's mountains. The three North Shore resorts are ready to open as soon as there's enough snow - hopefully in early December.

HI SKI PACKAGES
Get your accommodation and lift tickets in one nice package at resorts in Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Fernie, starting at $95 per person, per day. Find out all the details at www.hihostels.ca/winter.