Winter is here and it's deep

November has been a big month at wintercentric resorts across B.C. Records have been set and above average amounts of snow are on the ground almost everywhere.

Leading the way is the Coast Range where record November snowfalls have landed with more than 500 centimetres of snow falling in some locations. Elsewhere the snow hasn't been quite so prodigious but areas that often suffer from troubling early season layers in the snow pack, that make avalanche conditions a worry all season long, are looking at one of the most stable snowpacks in recent memory. It all adds up to a great looking season for snow focused resorts, lodges and huts across the province.

The Backcountry Lodge's of BC are looking at an excellent winter. Most of these rustic mountain hotels froze 2009 pricing for this winter. Plus, they often offer reduced rates for pre-Christmas visits. With so much snow on the ground it is a good year to jump on that offer. Conditions are looking really good at Burnie Glacier Chalet, Campbell Icefield Chalet and Mistaya Lodge.

The members of HeliCat Canada Association, a group of the best helicopter and cat skiing operations, are looking forward to a big winter, too. Like the backcountry lodges, many offer less expensive packages in the early season. Ask many ski guides and they'll tell you early season conditions are often the deepest.

Some are offering some interesting new packages. Bella Coola Heli Sports has amalgamated their two operations, one in the Pantheon Range and one near Bella Coola, and are now offering a package that includes time at both lodges and a 200 kilometre flight skiing across both tenures. Last Frontier, the proud owners of the largest tenure on earth, also have two lodges and a safari package that includes time at both. In addition this year they're offering a heli-assited touring package that involves time ski touring with the assistance of a helicopter.

If images and video of horses running through deep, fluffy snow catches your imagination check out the members of the BC Guest Ranchers Association. Many of the dude ranches are open during the winter with sled rides, winter horseback riding, tobogganing, excellent wildlife viewing and cross country skiing.