Snowstorm Buries Slopes at Whistler, British Columbia

Although the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games do not start until February 12, recentstorms have lent a big boost to snow cover on area ski slopes. The OfficialAlpine Skiing venue at Whistler Blackcomb was right in the path of the heaviestfalls of snow. During the latest storm, which struck between Sunday andTuesday, snow was laid down by the foot in this corner of the southern CoastMountains in British Columbia.Over the upper ski slopes of Whistler Blackcomb, the storm unloaded about 4feet of snow between early morning Sunday, and the morning on Tuesday. When allwas said and done, snow lay 6 feet deep. And the snowfall packed a hefty 5inches of water equivalent, thereby ensuring it would have `staying power,`barring an abnormal thaw, during the nearly three months to come before thestart of the Games.

More snow is on the way. Indeed, snow will fall most of the time through theend of the week. Over the upper slopes, bursts of heavy snow and high windswill spill from a strong storm between Wednesday and Friday. A few feet of newsnow will fall by Sunday.