If you’ve been waiting to strap on your skis or snowboard, you’re in luck. Cooler temperatures and early snow have given some Maritime ski hills a head start on the season, with two New Brunswick locations opening earlier than usual.

According to a report from the CBC, the favorable weather has created ideal conditions for both natural snowfall and snowmaking, allowing enthusiasts to get on the slopes ahead of schedule.

A Bonus Day at Crabbe Mountain

Crabbe Mountain, located about 50 kilometres northwest of Fredericton, surprised skiers and snowboarders with a special ‘bonus day’ this past Sunday. While the hill’s official season starts this Friday, management couldn’t pass up the chance to open early.

“We just thought it was a bonus that Mother Nature was good to us this year,” Jessica Spalding, general manager of Crabbe Mountain, told the CBC.

For some, the early start was especially meaningful. Snowboarder Carsen Meyer traveled from Sussex for the bonus day, his first time back on the board since breaking his collarbone last year. “For me it means a lot … this is my first day back since a year and I was so stoked when he told me he wanted to go,” Meyer said.

Record Start for Mont Farlagne

In Edmundston, Mont Farlagne is experiencing one of its earliest openings in recent memory. The ski park officially launched its season on Friday with seven open slopes, a stark contrast to its usual opening of a couple of runs around December 20th.

“I don’t think we’ve seen that for the past 15 to 20 years,” said Céline Parent, the general manager. This is welcome news after a mechanical issue kept the park closed during last year’s holiday season.

Parent credits the weather for their strong start. “This year Mother Nature decided to spoil us with perfect weather for snowmaking,” she said. The early opening has already led to an increase in season pass sales.

A Regional Trend

The trend extends beyond New Brunswick. Ski Martock in Nova Scotia is also celebrating an early start, adding an extra week of business to its 60th-anniversary season. Owner Martin Kejval noted the importance of man-made snow in building a solid base for the season.

“You know what they say, mostly the Mother Nature snow is for show, the man-made stuff is the dough,” Kejval explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are ski hills opening early this year?

A combination of cool temperatures and sufficient early snowfall has created ideal conditions for both natural snow and artificial snowmaking, allowing hills to build a solid base and open ahead of schedule.

Which New Brunswick ski hills are open early?

Crabbe Mountain, near Fredericton, held a ‘bonus day’ before its official opening. Mont Farlagne in Edmundston opened nearly two weeks earlier than usual with seven slopes ready.

When is Crabbe Mountain’s official opening day?

The official start to the season at Crabbe Mountain is this Friday.

Is this early opening unusual?

Yes. The general manager at Mont Farlagne stated that they have not seen an opening this early in the past 15 to 20 years, making it a significant event for the local ski community.