Need a lift? Big White is open

It's the day skiers have been anticipating since the first leaves began to fall from the trees - the start of ski season.

Photo: Contributed - Big White

Big White opened for the 2012-2013 ski season Thursday morning, two days ahead of its scheduled December 1 opening.

"There's a line-up already at the Ridge Rocket chair lift," stated an excited Michael J. Ballingal, Big White Senior Vice President.

"Opening day is always exciting. There's a pent-up demand here for all of us. For a thousand staff members their first day on the job is today - it's pretty cool."

The hill opened Thursday morning with three lifts (Lara's Gondola, Ridge Rocket Express and Plaza Quad Chair) and 12 runs open.

Ballingal says he expects more lifts and runs to be ready for Saturday.

The skating rink and tubing are also expected to be open Saturday. More snow is still needed to open the nordic trails.

"We open the resort always as soon as snow permits. Some resorts wait until a weekend, we tend not to," says Ballingal.

Big White currently has a base of about 48cm at the village and close to 70cm in the alpine areas.

The hill received 2cm of new snow overnight. More snow could fall tonight.

Skiers who want to hit the hill before the weekend will ski at a reduced rate.

Single day lift tickets and rentals are 50 per cent off Thursday and Friday.