5 Ways to Prepare for Ski Season

By Heidi Nixon, Ferreol ambassador

The leaves have turned, our windshields are frosting over at night, and the snow is finally starting to stick to the peaks. Winter is coming. If you're anything like the crew here at Ferreol, that brings on a giddy, can't-sleep-on-Christmas-Eve kind of excitement for our favourite season.

We can't control the weather. That's Ullr's department (pronounced Oo-ler, the Norse god of snow), and he works on his own schedule. But there's plenty you can do to make the wait count before your first turns.

1. Get your legs ready

We all know that feeling: first day back, quads on fire by the third run. Bike, hike, hit the stair climber, do squats and wall sits, whatever you have access to. Focus on your glutes and quads and get your cardio up. Then add some single-leg work (lunges, step-ups, lateral bounds). Skiing happens one edge at a time, and that balance is what keeps you upright in chopped-up snow at 3 p.m.

If your local hill allows uphill travel in the off-season, hiking the runs is the best training there is. Bonus: you get a front-row seat as the snow line creeps down the mountain.

2. Tune your skis, or retire them

This one's a two-parter.

First, take an honest look at your quiver. Are your skis still right for the skiing you actually want to do? If you're dreaming of a powder week in Revelstoke or a trip to the Chic-Chocs and you're still rocking skinny race skis from another decade, it's time. Modern all-mountain and freeride skis are lighter, more forgiving in soft snow and built with far more intention than they used to be. The right ski changes your whole day.

That's exactly what we obsess over at Ferreol, where every pair is built in Canada. Not sure where to start? The Ski Finder on ferreol.ca narrows it down in a few questions, and nothing beats getting a pair under your feet: keep an eye on our demo events this winter.

Second, get them tuned. Stop by your local ski shop, or do it yourself if you're lucky enough to have a sweet home setup. Fresh edges and a good base wax make a real difference on firm early-season snow. Pro tip: early season is rock season, so keep an older pair around as your "rock skis" until the base builds up.

3. Get inspired

Catch a ski movie, reconnect with friends who are just as stoked on winter, and get out to an event or two. Here's what's on our radar this fall.

Catch Ferreol this season

EXPOSKI Voyage Gendron (Nov. 1, Brossard). Come get your hands on the 2026–27 line and talk skis with the team.
FQME season launch night (Nov. 17, 5 to 9 p.m., Pub alpin Le Bivouac, Québec City). The Fédération québécoise de la montagne et de l'escalade kicks off winter with the season's news and calendars, a mountain safety case study and discussion, ski films, and gear from local organizations (shirts, ski straps, stickers). Food and beer from the pub on hand.
Screenings of “Speakwhite” by ambassador Eliot Boulanger (Nov. 14 in Québec City and Nov. 28 in Montréal, Le Siboire). Eliot's new film, shot on Ferreol skis, hits the big screen at two of our favourite breweries. Event details coming soon: follow our social channels.
Snowbound Expo (Nov. 14 to 15, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut). The East Coast's big season kickoff, with gear, speakers and the whole New England ski crowd under one roof. Find us there.
Demo days all winter in Québec and across Canada. Ride the whole lineup for free with your lift ticket: 2026–27 dates are landing soon on our events page.

Around the ski world

Out West: BC and the Rockies

Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival (Oct. 31 to Nov. 8, Banff). Nine days and 83 films from 16 countries for its 51st edition, with an online film pass to keep watching from home Nov. 12 to 22. banffcentre.ca
Warren Miller's Days Off (on tour across North America until late December). The 77th Warren Miller film rolls through Revelstoke, Whistler, Pemberton and Banff, skijoring course included. Find a screening near you at warrenmiller.com.
Opening days in the Rockies. Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise are targeting Nov. 6, and Mt. Norquay Nov. 7.
Whistler Blackcomb opening day (Nov. 20). Heads up: with BC's switch to permanent daylight time, most lifts will run 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until Jan. 15.
Whistler Winterlight (Nov. 27 to 29) and the Whistler Film Festival (Dec. 2 to 6) to keep the energy going between powder days.

In Québec

Protect Our Winters Fall Tour, Montréal (Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., Orage HQ, 1227 Rachel St. E.). New ski films, a panel with Alex Beaulieu-Marchand and Marion Thénault, a free wax station by Beaver Wax (see tip #2) and prize draws. Tickets are $20 and fund POW Canada's work. protectourwinters.ca
Opening days. The Laurentians usually get the lifts spinning first in November, with Québec City and Charlevoix hills following in early-to-mid December.
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Québec (January to March). The tour visits more than 25 towns across the province every winter, from Lévis to Gaspé. Dates at banffquebec.ca.

Opening dates are targets and always depend on snow. Check with each resort before you go.

4. Wash your outerwear

Waterproof layers need a good wash every now and then, and the start of the season is the perfect time. Dirt and body oils break down the water-repellent finish, which is usually why a shell starts "wetting out." Down is another material we tend to forget about, but it lofts and insulates better when it's washed properly and fully dried. Head to your local ski shop and pick up some Nikwax, an easy-to-use product you can throw right in your washing machine.

There's a bigger reason too. Gear you take care of lasts longer, and the most sustainable jacket is the one you don't have to replace. Leave no trace starts at home, in the laundry room.

5. Get your head in the game

This one's for the backcountry crowd. If you're new to travelling in avalanche terrain, now is the time to sign up for an Avalanche Skills Training (AST) course, before the good dates fill up. In Québec, Avalanche Québec offers courses across the province; for the Chic-Chocs, the theory portion happens in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. Out West, Avalanche Canada lists courses from Whistler to the Kootenays.

Already certified? Use the shoulder season to change your transceiver batteries, check your probe and shovel, and run a few practice searches with your touring partners. And it's never a bad time to dig into the excellent free resources out there: