Ski season nears with 'significant snowfall' forecast for Sea-to-Sky region

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 things offby opening one of its ski hills a day earlier than expected.

Vail Resorts says Blackcomb Mountain will be open for skiing starting next Thursday, one day ahead of schedule,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 the last 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.

The agency says a weather system is expected to arrive on Saturday, bringing rain to the coast and snow to inland areas, where a mix of snow and rain is also possible.

The bulletin says parts of the Sea-to-Sky region could see 10 to 15 centimetres of snow before thingstaperoff Saturday night.

In MetroVancouver, the weather office says residents will see 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 easternB.C., Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings for parts of the Cariboo region as well as the Kinbasket, McGregor and North Columbia areas.

The bulletin says a storm system is expected to crossB.C.'s central Interior on Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall in areas near the Alberta boundary and the Cariboo Mountains.

Just across the border, Alberta's Lake Louise Ski Resort is opening Friday following 41 centimetres of snowfall in the past week.

Areas further west, along the Highway 97 corridor, will see lower levels of snow accumulation, Environment Canada says.