Whistler, B.C., is expected to see its first “significant snowfall” of the season this weekend.
The company that owns Whistler-Blackcomb says it is kicking off the season by opening one of its ski hills a day earlier than expected.
Vail Resorts says Blackcomb Mountain will be open for skiing starting next Thursday, and Whistler Mountain will open the following day.
The report for Whistler-Blackcomb on Friday says the area had seen 43 centimetres of snowfall over 48 hours and 95 centimetres in the last week.
The update came as Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Sea to Sky region, including Whistler, Squamish and Pemberton.
It says a weather system was expected to arrive on Saturday, bringing rain to the coast and snow to inland areas, where a mix of snow and rain was also possible.
The bulletin says parts of the Sea to Sky region could see 10 to 15 centimetres of snow before it tapers off Saturday night.
In Metro Vancouver, the weather office says Saturday will bring strong winds and heavy rain that may lead to power outages.
A special weather statement for the region says total rainfall could range from 30 to 50 millimetres before easing overnight on Saturday.
In eastern B.C., Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings Friday for parts of the Cariboo region as well as the Kinbasket, McGregor and North Columbia areas.
The bulletin says a storm system was expected to cross B.C.’s central Interior on Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall in areas near the Alberta boundary and the Cariboo Mountains.
Areas further west, along the Highway 97 corridor, will see lower levels of snow accumulation, the weather office says.