The skiing and snowboarding season has arrived at Vernon's SilverStar Mountain Resort, one week earlier than expected. 

SilverStar held its alpine opening day Saturday, Nov. 23, with a snow base of 81 centimetres allowing for 31 runs to be opened, with the gondola, Comet chair and Silver Queen lifts up and running. 

And there's more snow in the forecast for powder hounds to enjoy. 

"It's wicked conditions out there, everyone's been super stoked to get out on the snow, I feel like there's a good vibe, a good energy this winter, so we're just so excited to get everyone back on the slopes," said Megan Sutherland, communications specialist for SilverStar.

People were eager to get a start on the skiing and snowboarding season as Sutherland said there was a line-up at the gondola at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday. Staff brought them goodies in honour of their resolve to be the first to carve lines on the ski hill this season. 

There's plenty of new features at SilverStar this season, including a new beginner terrain park, called the Start Park, off the Silver Queen chair. This is also the first full season to have double gondola capacity. 

New grooming resources and technology will make for smoother riding this season. SilverStar doubled its grooming team over the summer and they got to work slashing weeds and overgrown wooded areas before the snow fell. 

The resort has also rolled out SNOWsatLiDAR technology that equips groomers with lasers that scan the area in front of the groomers, providing operators with real-time readings of the snow level so they can adjust the blades and ensure the runs are as smooth as possible. 

"We just want to have another awesome season and have some great riding out there," said Sutherland. 

50-per-cent-off lift tickets are on sale now at .