Whistler Blackcomb opened Whistler Mountain for the 2009/10 season this past Saturday, Nov. 14 a full 12 days before schuedled after heavy early-season snowfalls.


The resort, voted the best in North America last year by SKIING magazine, opened with four lifts operating and will open two more lifts Nov. 26.


The resort's website reported 190 centimetres, or about 74 inch snowbase Tuesday. Whistler-Blackcomb will host alpine and nordic events in February for the 2010 Winter Olympics.


Early snow has enable many ski areas in the Pacific Northwest to open early this season.


In Oregon, Timberline Lodge claims it became the first ski area to open in the region Nov. 7 with three of seven lifts running.