Manic Monday | Lucky Seven - the snowfall is coming!

"Winter will be colder than normal, with above-normal precipitation and snowfall. The coldest periods will be in early and mid- to late December and mid- to late January, with the snowiest periods in early and mid-December and mid-January." Farmers Almanac 2016/17

One of the most exciting times in the winter season is the opening of the ski hills and thanks to mother nature and an outstanding prediction from the Farmers Almanac it looks like we are in for what is shaping up to be an outstanding year.

The Thompson Okanagan boasts several amazing winter ski resort locations with Apex, Big White, Sun Peaks and Silver Star (listed alphabetically) and our regional ski hills including Harper Mountain in the North Thompson and Phoenix in the Boundary.

WAIT.....For those that about to pick up their phones or send me a text that I have forgotten one of our newly reopened locations... I actually have not.  I wanted to take a moment to single out a seventh location, Mount Baldy, located in the South Okanagan and nestled between Oliver and Osoyoos and who are very pleased to announce are reopening in December.

"Our Lucky Seven", a collection of interior mountain ski options each with their own unique attributes; all providing incredible snow, outstanding skiing and a range of on mountain food and beverage as well as seasonal outdoor and indoor activities that really do bring winter to life!

Yours is an industry very much at the mercy of external factors whether it be climatic conditions, road conditions, snowfall building a perfect base or snowfall warnings preventing travel.  We applaud all of our ski mountain locations; the developers who have had the foresight and perseverance to create these incredible resorts and their management and staff who passionately market and deliver on mountain experiences that have come to be renowned locally, domestically and internationally.

Thinking of visiting a ski hill this winter? Remember, on one of those grey winter days if you happen to be chasing some sunshine you are most likely to find it atop one of our majestic mountain ski hills.

Wishing the entire winter industry a great start and long season....(but not toooo long...)

Current Projected Opening Dates: **

Apex                Dec 3
Baldy               Dec 1
Big White        Dec 3
Harper            Dec 10
Phoenix           Dec 18
Silver Star       Nov 24
Sun Peaks       Opening soon

** dates subject to change check websites for current updates 

Glenn Mandziuk, TOTA President & CEO