Cypress, Grouse ski hills to open this weekend

Metro Vancouver is in the midst of an early cold snapwith overnight temperatures dipping down to around -5 C, and thoughsnow hasn't been falling, two local ski hills have been making it.

The North Shore's Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain ski hills areopening for the season this weekend.

Grouse Mountain spokeswoman Jacqueline Blackwell said the hill typically opens later on in November, but the cool weatherhas allowed a jump on the seasoneven if the dry weather means little snow has fallen.

"These are optimal conditions for making snow," she said. "We have the largest fleet of snow makers on the North Shore, sowhenit is cold and clear like this theycanget out there and get guns firing and cover a lot of ground in a short time."

The hill will open at 9 a.m. Saturday but not all areas will be usable and only one lift, the Blue SkyRide, will be running.

"We have Paradise Bowl and Paradise Jib Park open. It is limited terrain, but our snow making team has done terrific work and we are really excited to get going," she said.

Cypress Mountain said on its website it is opening a "top to bottom" runSaturday at 10 a.m. PT, withtheEagle Express and Easy Rider Quad chairs operating.

Opening Day for Whistler and Blackcomb has been set for Nov.27, two weeks from now, and Sun Peaks is scheduled to openNov.22.