Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour ski hills on track for record holiday season

It's the best Christmas present imaginable for Vancouver's North Shore ski hills:a big dump of snow, followed byclear and cold days stretching right through the holiday sweet spot between Christmasand New Years.

Skiers and snowboarderscouldn't be happier, and they're proving it in record numbers.

"It looks likeyesterdaywas our busiest winter season day in history," said Grouse Mountainspokesperson Ainslie Finchamon Tuesday. "And it's looking like this holiday season will be one of the best as well."

The story is the sameatMt Seymour where communications manager Simon Whitehead said it's been all hands on deck for staff with the onslaught of visitors.

"I think we're looking at one of the best Christmases we've ever had," said Whitehead. "There's great snow, great sunshine, everyone wants to come play."

At Cypress Mountain they're reporting a base of 340 centimetres and"excellent" conditions.

"This is the best start to a season we can remember!" claims their website a welcome change from last year's dismal season, that saw all the North Shore mountains struggle withlow snow levels and warm temperatures.

"The difference a year makes is night and day," said Whitehead. "Last year weopened up our learning area on this day the29thof Decemberand thenopened up main chair for a few weeks only in mid-January."

The only downside this year is that the huge number of snow seekers are creatingtraffic and parkingsnarls.All three ski hillsare asking people to consider taking public transit or shuttle buses.

"Our parking tends to reach capacity between 10 a.mand 11 a.m," said Whitehead. "WhatI would recommend is getting here early, or maybe come in the afternoon after the lunch time rush."

Cypress, Grouse and Seymour are all open for night skiing until 10p.m. in the evening.