NWS Says El Niño Is Still Strengthening, With a Historic Event on the Table
In its October 8 update, the National Weather Service put the odds of a strong-to-very strong El Niño through January-March 2027 above 83%, and said chances remain high for an event stronger than anything on record since 1950. The December-February outlooks lean wet across the Southwest and warm across the Northwest. Forecasters were careful to add that impacts are more likely under an event this size but still not guaranteed.
Source: POWDER
Valle Nevado Extends Its Season to November 8, the Latest Closing Date in Its History
More than 3.5 feet of snow in 48 hours convinced the Chilean resort to push back an October 18 closing. Opening day was June 19, so the new end date makes 143 days of skiing. With the hotels shut, the bonus stretch is aimed at day visitors, with five lifts running. Ski Portillo, which took more than 16 feet in a single July storm cycle, also moved its closing to October 11.
Source: POWDER
New Zealand's Mt Hutt Plans a $12 Million Base Building to Replace a 1980s Original
Demolition of the old ski school building, standing since roughly 1980, starts after the 2026 closing day on October 12. The replacement adds a heated sundeck that grows from 430 to 1300 square meters, plus a new toilet block, heated access steps, another cafe outlet and more storage. The work is due ahead of the 2027 winter season.
Source: POWDER
Freeride World Tour Announces Its 2027 Ski Roster, Rookies and Past Champions Included
Reigning champions Lou Barin and Ben Richards lead the lists, joined by former winners such as Justine Dufour-Lapointe, Max Hitzig, Marcus Goguen and Maxime Chabloz. Several rookies join the men's field, and POWDER singles out 20-year-old Frenchman Noah Peizerat as one to watch. Max Palm, the first skier to land a double backflip on Tour, returns as a wildcard.
Source: POWDER
Western Canada's Tentative 2026-27 Opening Dates: Lake Louise and Sunshine Lead on November 6
The Banff-area resorts are the usual frontrunners, with Lake Louise and Sunshine Village targeting November 6 and Mt. Norquay a day later. Whistler Blackcomb is penciled in for November 20, Revelstoke and Fernie for December 5. Several areas, including Kicking Horse and Cypress, have not published a date, and all of the dates can shift with the weather.
Source: POWDER
POWDER Reviews the 2027 Blizzard Sheeva 9, a Stiff, Aggressive Women's Daily Driver
The 96mm-waisted women's all-mountain ski pairs a woodcore with Titanal edges and a fiberglass dampening layer, which POWDER says makes it the stiffest and snappiest of the Sheeva line. Testers praised its edge hold on firm snow and its drive through crud, while warning that it rewards good technique and is likely too burly for new skiers. Blizzard left the line unchanged since 2024.
Source: POWDERLast updated: October 12, 2026. Every story links to its original source and is checked when this page is refreshed. New stories land every Monday.