Whistler Mountain is opening five days ahead of schedule on Saturday, thanks to natural snowfall at higher elevations and a streak of below-average temperatures.

“Our snowmaking team has been working hard to take advantage of this early season cold snap in Whistler and has converted over 60 million gallons of water into snow over the past few weeks,” said Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb’s director of mountain operations, in a statement.

“Their efforts, combined with the natural snowfall we have already received at higher elevations, has enabled us to get things rolling early again this year. And with more natural snow in the forecast for later this week, it should be a fun opening weekend.”

While Whistler Mountain will open five days early with five lifts running, Blackcomb Mountain will open as scheduled on November 27.

bmorton@vancouversun.com