Dec 1-7, Season Begins
Hello Aurora crew,
I know this announcement is coming out a little later than usual, but that’s the reality of early season. Conditions in late November are unpredictable at the best of times—snow depth, temperature swings, wind events, hot/cold spells… you name it. A week and a half ago, there really wasn’t much snow at all. And while social media always looks impressive, remember that most of those “early season face shots” were highly curated. Good snow did exist, but it took a lot of work to find a few quality turns.
The good news for us? With the Aurora Backcountry Pass, we have an entire season together—right through the end of April. There’s never any pressure to rush into thin-cover conditions, break skis, or get injured trying to be a hero on Day 1. That said… tomorrow we begin.
Conditions & Plan for December 1–7
For this opening week, we’ll ease into it. Expect mellow days off Blackcomb and Whistler, skiing out of the resort gates and hunting the goods where coverage allows.
Friday already has one person signed up—and he’s usually pretty keen—so we’ll be heading into the Whistler Blackcomb backcountry to find powder stashes, stretch the legs, and enjoy being back in the mountains. If the weather cooperates, we’ll move higher and explore.
Remember: early season isn’t always about perfect snow. It’s about being outside, moving, laughing, tuning up the legs, and not sitting at home scrolling. If you’re keen for a warm-up week, jump into the schedule.
Upgrades & Cancellations
You can always upgrade your day for $200 if you feel the conditions are worth it.
If not, just cancel—24 hours in advance and you get your day back, no problem.
Inside 24 hours, the day is fixed unless Aurora cancels or the group is too small and you don’t want to upgrade. It’s a very flexible and fair policy, so use it to your advantage.
Why Booking Early Matters
Please start booking your days early. It shows the guides who’s keen and helps those solo members looking for a group to see which days have momentum. You can always cancel 24 hours ahead—zero penalty.
Use the app, the Members chat, the Intermediate chat, and the guide announcements.
This is a community program, not a private guiding program.
The more you participate, the better your experience will be.
Weather Outlook
Freezing levels will hover around Pig Alley throughout the week. That means alpine skiing is on the menu, and most days will likely involve uploading via gondola and downloading via the lifts.
The long-range forecast shows precip arriving for the weekend—perfect timing for our free avalanche safety training days on Saturday and Sunday (Dec 6 & 7). Remember:
Every pass holder must complete a safety orientation every season.
If you skip the free weekend and do it later, you’ll use up part of one of your ski days to complete it.
So… you might as well get it done now.
Gear Reminders (Very Important)
Headlamps
Yes, you need one. It’s December—days are short, and we ski right to the end. If anything happens on the way out (lost ski, broken binding, tired legs), a headlamp isn’t optional. It’s safety. Bring one. Bring charged batteries. No excuses.
Glacier Kits
Yes, you also need one. If you message us a few hours before departure saying you don’t have a glacier kit… you’re not coming. And if it’s last-minute, you will lose your day. This isn’t to be harsh—it’s because the rest of the group shouldn’t suffer due to someone else’s lack of preparedness.
A basic kit costs around $100:
Harness
A couple of prusiks
Two carabiners
That’s it. Guides carry the technical rescue gear.
Ski Crampons
Not needed this week, but will be needed later.
These are not “extreme.” They’re the opposite—ski crampons make life easier when skins stop gripping on firm surfaces. Even in the forest. If you’re intimidated by ski crampons… you may be misinformed. Get them.
Everything is clearly listed in the packing list in the app. Refer to it often.
Participation Agreement
If you haven’t already, please complete your participation agreement. It tells us:
Whether you have a WB pass or Sea to Sky/Gondola pass
Your skiing level
Your fitness level
Whether we may need a tail guide
This information helps us plan safe, efficient, and fun days.
If you think you filled it out but aren’t sure—just do it again.
Final ThoughtsThe best days of the season often come from groups who planned ahead. If you assume guides are pre-planning every single day of the entire season… you’ll be disappointed. We plan our best days when we see genuine interest.
Stay active in the app. Book early. Communicate. Follow the guide announcements. And when the stars align—conditions, stability, group—there will be days you won’t want to miss.
We’re stoked to kick off another incredible season with all of you.
Let’s make this the best one yet.
See you out there. ❄️⛷️
