Lack of snow delaying ski season in B.C.’s Interior

Published 5:15 am Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Winter is taking a little longer to hit the ski hills in B.C.’s Interior this year.

Each of Kelowna’s Big White, SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon released some sad news for skiers and snowboarders Monday (Nov. 24), while Revelstoke Mountain Resort followed up with similar news on Tuesday..

“With the current conditions our Alpine Opening Day has been delayed to Dec. 5, weather permitting,” Silver Star’s website reads.

Opening day was initially scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 27. The delay is due to a lack of snow, of which there has been none in the last 48 hours according to the resort’s snow report.

“Mother Nature is taking her time this year to blanket the resort with our early season base,” the report reads. The forecast calls for possible flurries Tuesday and Wednesday with snow development five to 10 centimetres Thursday and easing Friday.

“Opening Day is going to be a blast with T-shirts for First Chair, s’mores in the village, and free prizes being given out throughout the day.”

Check the resort website for updates.

News from Big White was the same.

The resort also announced Monday that current snow levels are below the threshold required for safe operations, and that the opening date of Thursday, Nov. 27, will be postponed until further notice.

Despite a dusting of the white stuff in the mountains, early-season snowfall has not reached the level needed to prepare terrain or operate lifts safely, said the resort.

“At this stage, approximately 50 centimetres of snow is needed to open runs and begin spinning lifts safely. Once that snow arrives, all available resources will be out on the mountain to capture, groom, and pack new snow as quickly as possible,” reads a release from the Big White.

Based on the current forecast, the resort anticipates making its next meaningful assessment on Monday, Dec. 1.

While the mountain terrain remains closed, the resort village continues to offer seasonal activities. The Welcome to Winter annual Christmas light-up event will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday, Nov. 29.

“For the safety of guests and staff, Big White asks the public to remain off the mountain until the official opening,” stated the resort.

All opening day updates will be posted online.

Meanwhile, Revelstoke’s ski resort won’t be opening this Saturday as planned either due to a lack of powder on Mount Mackenzie.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort (RMR) shared on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 25, on Facebook that it will push back its originally planned opening day of Saturday, Nov. 29. A specific later date has not been mentioned.

“To safely open the mountain, we require more snow coverage, especially at lower elevations,” RMR posted. “With guest safety and overall experience remaining our top priorities, we will continue to closely monitor the forecast. As soon as conditions allow, our teams are ready to spin the lifts.”

A video clip of RMR operations vice-president Peter Nielsen said the latest snowstorm that came through brought great powder higher up on Mount Mackenzie, but not so much at lower elevations.

“Don’t worry — winter’s on its way,” he reassured.