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Banff’s Sunshine Village 1st Canadian ski resort to open for 2016-2017 season

Click to play video: 'Skiers hope early opening means end to two-year dry spell in Alberta'
Skiers hope early opening means end to two-year dry spell in Alberta
WATCH ABOVE: While many are hitting the patios here in Calgary, in the mountains they're loading onto chairlifts. As Jayme Doll reports, skiers and boarders hope this will be the end of a two year dry spell – Nov 3, 2016

Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort in Banff is the first Canadian resort to open its doors to the public this winter season on Thursday, Nov. 3.

With a current base of over 69 cm (27 in) of all-natural snow, Sunshine Village is poised for a solid start to the 2016-2017 season,” the company said.

Photos showed seven new centimetres of snow fell overnight Tuesday, to the delight of skiers and snowboarders.

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November 3 is the Alberta facility’s earliest opening in more than 30 years, thanks to lots of precipitation starting early October. The resort opened on Nov. 14 last year, which has been a typical start time in the past.

READ MORE:  Snow west of Calgary as Nakiska, Sunshine Village ski resorts share mountain photos

The Wawa, Strawberry, Jackrabbit and Wolverine chairlifts will open along with one magic carpet and one eight-person gondola.

Sunshine Village had its earliest opening in 30 years on Nov. 3, 2016. Loren Andreae / Global News

Ski school programs (including Tiny Tiger and Kids Kampus programs) also start Thursday. Some on-mountain restaurants and shops will open, but the Sunshine Mountain Lodge won’t open until Nov. 11.

Skiers and riders are advised to use caution as early season conditions mean there may be unmarked natural hazards around the resort,” the company said.

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Snow conditions are ready for an early Nov. 3 opening at Sunshine Village in Banff. Photo taken: Nov. 1, 2016. Sunshine Village

“The Sunshine Village team has been working incredibly hard and we are thrilled to be the first resort in Canada to open its doors to our guests,” COO Dave Riley said in a statement.

Watch Sunshine’s progress on their mountain cams and check out the daily snow conditions at www.skibanff.com/conditions.

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