West Vancouver (BC), Canada – Tuesday’s opening at Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain ski area was the earliest ever at the resort, the first to open in British Columbia this winter.

Skiers and riders braved fog and drizzle on Tuesday to hit the slopes for the first time this season. Cypress’ Eagle Express Quad is running for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders only, with terrain open on Upper Maelle Ricker’s (Upper Fork) and the ski-out down through Mid and Lower Jasey Jay. A starter jib park has been erected off the top of Eagle Express with a line of five hits, including the resort’s new 20-foot round bar rail and 30-foot flat box.

Full day adult lift tickets are currently priced at $23.60, and youth $18.00, seniors $15.60 and children $10.00 today. Half day rates are available beginning at 1 p.m. and the resort is offering 50% off the regular price of snowboard rentals.

With warm weather curtailing snowmaking operations, Cypress staffers are today using a bucket loader to scoop up snow from the parking lot and distribute it around the base area in an effort to keep things going. Officials, however, remain optimistic that snowmaking temperatures will return this weekend.