Cypress Mountain opened for skiing on Tuesday, the earliest opening ever for the West Vancouver ski resort.

Trails on the north face of Black Mountain will be open to intermediate and expert skiers and riders, with more alpine runs expected to open on the weekend.

The early opening is largely due to snowmaking equipment used during last year’s Vancouver Winter Olympics, when Cypress Bowl suffered an infamous lack of snow.

Long-time ski instructor Lorne Milne explained that …

The winter season is upon us in Vancouver, BC and Pacific Car Rentals‘ fleet is prepared to service you through the difficult winter conditions that can blow through the city or that are a constant on the mountains. For the 2011-2012 winter season we are offering certified snow tires on our Midsize Cars,Full Size Cars and passenger Vans to ensure that your rental experience is comfortable and safe through out the season.

Whether you are a local looking to get through …