Big White's snow base rises to 201 cm after significant recent snowfall

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

UPDATE: 12:45 p.m.

Big White's Falcon chair is back up and running Wednesday afternoon after maintenance issues put it on standby earlier in the day.

Wednesday is the first day the lift has been running this season, after the resort's snow base rose above 200 cm overnight.

The Gem Lake and Cliff chairs remain on standby due to strong winds.

UPDATE: 11:40 a.m.

The season opening of Big White's Falcon chair is off to a rough start, as it's currently on standby for maintenance issues.

The chair was loading skiers earlier Wednesday morning for the first time this season, but it's currently not running.

The Gem Lake and Cliff chairs are also not currently running due to strong winds on the mountain. The Bullet chair is now running, after previously being on standby.

ORIGINAL: 9:55 a.m.

The last of Big White's chairs started spinning Wednesday morning, after the resort received a fresh helping of new snow overnight.

Big White recorded 10 cm of new snow overnight, after five fell throughout the day Tuesday. With 34 cm in the past week, the resort now boasts an alpine snow base of 201 cm, the first time it's exceeded 200 cm this season.

With the new snow, Falcon chair began running for the first time this season. Located between the Powder and Gem Lake chairs, Falcon was the last of the chairs to open this season.

Unfortunately, windy conditions at the hill Wednesday morning has forced the Gem Lake, Bullet and Cliff chairs to be placed on standby for the time being. It's currently -4 C on the mountain.

More snow is forecast to fall at Big White over the next few days, with two cm expected Thursday and up to eight forecast for Friday.