Gravity, here we come!
OhboyOhboyOhboy!
Ski season’s here again, and it’s time to make plans for all those soul refreshing, body re-tuning, sometimes even life preserving ski weeks and weekends that are so good for you and your family.This year, most major mountain ski resorts have made improvements that should make your ski experience better than ever. Regional hills are preparing learn-to-ski programs and many ski resorts are putting the finishing touches on ski-and-stay packages with their hotel partners.
Resort operators have their fingers crossed and their eyes on the skies in hopes their opening days are honoured by Mother Nature. Targeted season opening days are:
- Lake Louise: Nov. 11
- Sunshine Village: Nov. 10
- Marmot Basin: Nov. 17
- Nakiska: Dec. 9
- Castle Mountain: Dec. 16
- Ski Banff@Norquay: already open on weekends
The Big Hills…
Castle Mountain – The southwestern Crowsnest area resort has a whole new mountain dedicated to the novice and intermediate skier. Mount Haig offers nine new tree lined runs with 1,100 vertical feet of drop.“We’ve also added a new restaurant," says marketing director Andrew Rusynyk, "and in December we’ll have 22 new privately owned condominiums in our rental pool, so our guests can plan really comfortable, on-hill mini vacations.” The resort’s accommodation also includes 10 hotel rooms and 10 cost-effective hostel rooms.
Marmot Basin – Jasper’s Marmot Basin is targeting an earlier-than-normal opening this year mostly because of nearly $2 million in snowmaking improvements. They’ve added 10 state of the art snow guns to five main lower runs in an effort to even out snow quality over the season. Mountain operations supervisor Rob Ellen says skiers will also enjoy groomed snow on slopes previously too steep to groom – they’ve added a Winch Cat to the grooming fleet.
Marmot has opened a new store in town (610 Patricia Street) that sells lift tickets and takes rental and lesson reservations.
Nakiska – Skiers who love this family friendly Kananaskis Country ski resort will love its snowmaking improvements. The resort has added 10 new tower guns and refurbished two fan guns, all in the quest to put more snow on the ground, faster!
Nakiska is offering learn-to-ski packages (rental, lesson and lift ticket) for just $20 this year, and it’s participating in the Husky Snow Stars Grade 2 Fun Pass program which allows little ones to ski free all year at Nakiska, Lake Louise and Sunshine.
SkiBanff@Norquay – There’s a new owner group (including Ken Read!) at Norquay this year, so you can bet they’ll bend over backwards to make it even better. Norquay’s users spread quite evenly over the mountain, so lift lines are short – it’s possible to ski 10,000 vertical feet an hour on Mystic Ridge runs!
Sunshine Village – Sunshine has replaced its tractor-and-cart shuttles with two spanking new 21-passenger buses. It has also renovated the base area hotel check-in to match recent spiffy upgrades to the on-hill Sunshine Inn. Spokesperson Mike Moynihan says there’ll be a surplus of big-time celebrities at the resort when the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel’s annual Celebrity Sports Invitational takes place Jan. 18-20. “Celebrities aren’t announced yet, but past guests include Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Robin Williams. On the 18th, there’s an obstacle course, on the 19th we’ll stage a dual slalom.”
Lake Louise – More and better snow is in the offing as Lake Louise has added $3 million in improvements to its snowmaking arsenal, including three new fan gun towers. They’ve also expanded the retail shop, relocated the repair service centre and enhanced the main lodge’s Powder Keg Lounge.
This year’s Lake Louise World Cup events take place Nov. 25 and 26 (men) and Dec. 1-3 (women). And Mar. 4-9 you’ll see Ski Canada magazine’s annual ski test.
One thing you should try this year is Lake Louise’s Torchlight experience that includes an après ski party, a buffet dinner, live entertainment and a guided torchlight ski down the mountain. The fun starts right after skiing and runs until 8:30 p.m.
Regional Hills: Learner-Perfect
If you’re new to skiing, or you need a skill brush up, try a nearby regional ski hill. They’re great places to learn and improve, with gentler slopes and alot less of the intimidation factor.Most regional hills offer skiing/nowboarding lessons for ‘newbies’ starting at about $30 for a lesson, equipment rental and lift ticket.
“It’s a great way to try it out,” says Edmonton Snow Valley Ski Club’s Jim Hillman. “If you learn the basics – turning, stopping, riding lifts – at a less intimidating regional hill, you’ll get much more out of your mountain resort lift ticket price.”
Under Skiing & Winter Fun, the Boarding & Skiing page includes links to several regional ski hills.
Ski-and-Stay Packages
Some mountain ski resorts have great money-saving packages including lift tickets and accommodation. Check ‘em out.Lake Louise
Sunshine Village
Marmot Basin
Nakiska
