In a secretive effort to make us Whistlerites jealous and incredibly anxious for winter, our neighbours at Lake Louise are opening this weekend! Here's what they have to say...

Thanks to all the mutlimedia in the world these days, the anticipation of winter is even harder to take. 'Cause no matter what the weather is like where you're sitting right now, you know there's snow somewhere, and early season keeners are hitting it... Take Sage Cattabriga-Alosa for example...

Here's some helmet cam footage from his first day of the season, October 8, in Alta. And stay tuned, the Doglotion crew is going shredding this weekend, it's dumping in BC!

For all you big mountain rippers who think you have a shot at taking the IFSA World Freeskiing Tour by storm, it's time to get your game face on. The 2007 tour has been posted, and the list of pre-qualified athletes is up.

This is a bit random for a Whistler based mag, but hey, you UK shredders need all the stoke you can get this time of year to convince you to quit whatever you're doing in the UK and head to the Alps or beyond. Here's some ski flicks to do just that...

 NZ Free Ski Open wrap up.The NZ Free Ski Open concluded a few nights ago with a huge crowd turning up to watch skiers and snowboarders show off their skills at the BASE Down-town Rail Jam.  Some 2500 people packed out the Bullock Bar car park to see the rail jam, where 30 riders slid down the BASE rail that was part of a 3m-high, 6m-long structure, performing their tricks, slides and rotations.  One snowboarder, who had not officially entered the competition, was brave enough to take on the challenge by MCs to do a back-flip off the kicker, which he successfully achieved on his second attempt.

Wanaka teenager and rising ski star Jossi Wells proved he is up there with the world’s best after taking first place in the slopestyle event at the NZ Free Ski Open today at Snow Park NZ.

Ian McIntosh portaging at Gaper Day 2006, Whistler, BC. Photo by Jordan Manley.