Last season was apparently the worst for 30 years, on the west side of Canada, what are the early predictions for the 05/06 season ?

Wow!! This IS early to be asking!!
If you believe Environment Canada's predictions, above normal temperatures and near normal precipitation is predicted for the Canadian Rockies for the next three months (August - September - October). If they are correct, it means that there won't be an early start to the ski season, and you're probably looking at December before there's enough snow on the ground.
But - Environment Canada's general seasonal predictions are often wrong, so all you can do is wait and see.

Here in Oz it is a summer sport amongst the Snow folk to postulate on the upcoming season ! It is truly amazing the number of young Aussies who spend the Canadian winter working at Ski resorts. When we are at big white I have been told you have to search out a Canadian accent !

Just for the information of the Aussies in Canada, it absolutely puked down snow yesterday and today in the NSW and Victorian resorts, in fact they had snow down to sea level in Tasmania ! More to come tomorrow !

any news...I would hate to get gravel rash whilst skiing in january !!

Hey Marko!! It's still summer here. . . . although I have noticed the leaves have suddenly started turning yellow, more so around the Jasper area than further south, so autumn is definitely around the corner.

It certainly still is summer, but on the other hand, a couple of nights ago there was a touch of snow in the alpine at Golden BC.

Man, if I could predict that kind of information this far in advance I could make a killing selling the info to the ski resorts. Last year started off with really superb snow early season. Then the January rains hit and just about wiped out the entire Canadian West in one, month-long shot of "warm and wet".

I took our family to Kimberley BC for a few days in late February and there were only about 40% of the trails open.

I've got my fingers crossed for this year but.... you just never know. Good snow years are generally the rule though so the odds are in our favour.

Still, I wouldn't be making any reservations tooooo far in advance. About the safest bet (if it's within your budget) is some of the cat skiing/boarding up through the Nelson/Revelstoke areas.

To add to the above... with exchange rates and energy (transportation) prices where they are I predict a relative "shortage" of US skiers in the Canadian West. That means some great "last-minute" package bargains to be had for those who are willing to be patient and "roll the dice".

Hi Tootsall, when you travel as a party of five ( three teenagers !) you can't roll the dice. (maybe one day, that is if they ever decide to leave home !). We have already booked Big White mainly due to some advice about inland ski fields being less impacted by the "wet and Warm" !! Hope that holds true !

NOAA issues long-range prediction maps. This URL shows the 3-month prediction for Dec/Jan/Feb (http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/pre...off_index.html). They too show above normal temps and normal precip for the west coast.

We are planning to go to Whistler in February, but you just never know. Yes, last season was terrible, but we hit Whistler last April, and the high Alpine areas were quite good.

any updates, I have read that Europe is destined to have a very cold winter this year what about BC?

Kicking HOrse, where I will be skiing this February, is reporting 75cm of snow in the alpine bowls already. The prospects look good.

Marko, it's still really early. Anyone can guess that it'll be a good winter, but nobody really knows until winter arrives! So far it's been a really wet fall.

I know Carmanah !! <font color="blue"> but snow deprivation disorder is a dreadfull disease ! </font>

Just saw some white at Big White, you have to love live web cams !!!

Blackcomb opens on November 5th!

Hey Marko, the mountains in Vancouver have a dusting of snow on their highest peaks! Whistler's opening this weekend too!

Crystal at Mt. Rainier in Washington is opening this weekend, the earliest in 28 years! Mt. Baker is hoping to open on Tuesday! Cross fingers!

woooo hooooo