Real Ski Report: Lake Louise and Sunshine bask in deep powder

Each week, CBC Calgary's Paul Karchut speaks with dozens of dedicated skiers and boarders across eastern B.C. and southern Alberta to get the real scoop on conditions at resorts, on cross-country trails and in the backcountry.

There hasbeen a lot of hollering and high-fivingat Lake Louise and Sunshine this week.

Skiers and boarders have been burningturns throughknee-deep powder something both mountain resortsrarely see in November.

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The early start to the season brought more than 130 cm of fresh snow to both ski areas by Thursday, with more expectedearly next week.

Lake Louise

The resort is hoping to open all of itsliftsby Saturday, givingriders access to heaps of untouched powderunder the Paradise chair.

Solid coverage on this hill thanks to a 54-cm dump earlier this week. More snowexpected Monday and Tuesday, adding up to anywhere from five to 10 cm. Theweekend forecast calls for ahigh of 6C on Saturday and 0C on Sunday with bluebird skies.

Sunshine

Although it hasn'tpuked snow since Tuesday night "there's still somesome fresh powder to be had," said Real Ski Reporter,JohnHornak.

"It's nice and champagne. It was thick the first weekend but right now it's really soft and fluffy and good."

Sunny and a high of 1 on Saturday and sunny with a mix of clouds on Sunday, high of 6. Light snow in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

Staff confirm that they will have Angel and the new Tee Pee town lifts open on Saturday. Of course, people are really excited about Tee Pee town because the old, rickety two-seater has been pulled out and a new quad complete with heated seats took its place.

Nakiska and Norquay

Although Nakiskareceived 60 cm of fresh snow this week, it's still only open Friday through Sunday until Dec. 4.The Spirit Lift,Cascade Liftand Sundance Carpetare up andrunning dailyat Norquay.

• Revelstoke: Nov. 28 is opening day.
• Kicking Horse: Bonus weekends Nov. 28-29 and Dec. 5-6. Regular season opensDec. 11.
• Fernie: Dec. 4. is opening day.
• Panoramaand Castle Mountain: Both mountains open on Dec. 11.
• Kimberly: Dec. 12 is opening day.

X-Country skiing

Conditions are amazing pretty much everywhere Kananaskis Village, Peter Lougheed, Banff, Lake Louise, the Canmore Nordic Centreandeven Bragg Creek.

"It's just a matter of how many they can get trail-ready for the weekend with all the deep snow they've had to contend with," saidBob Truman, the man behind skierbob.ca.

Backcountry skiing

Karl Klassen withAvalanche Canadasays there has already been at least one avalanche incident with a full burial and two or three close calls.

"We're just cautioning people to not get too aggressive," said Klassen.

• Have a photo of yourself shredding it through all that November powder? Tweet them to @CBCoutside or send an email to calgaryphotos@cbc.ca

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