Following another outstanding season last year, the ski resorts of Alberta are already looking forward to 2013/14 with new developments, long term plans, utilising existing services and new runs for all levels of skiers and boarders.  With Mount Norquay in Banff and Nakiska in Kananaskis Country already open and more to follow this weekend - the season is already underway and looking great.

 

Banff Lake Louise:

The three ski hills within Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay, all have new developments and exciting news for the season (www.skibig3.com) and with a big dump of snow already, Mount Norquay opened on Friday 1st November, with Sunshine Village and  Lake Louise to follow on Friday 8th November.

 

Sunshine Village: New ski yoga package

Sunshine Village which offers the only ski in ski out accommodation in Banff National Park has for the 2013/14 season launched a new ski yoga package - ideal for those looking for peace on the slopes (with over 3,300 acres of skiable terrain) and peace of body and mind. The weekend retreats start in Spring 2014 and include a stay at the eco-luxurious Sunshine Mountain Lodge, ski lessons with a Sunshine Village ski or snowboard instructor, a specially designed organic menu and yoga classes on the mountain designed to restore the zen and the body following a day on the slopes. Prices start from around £380 for the weekend. http://www.skibanff.com/sunshine-village-news/new-yoga-and-ski-retreat-unveiled/

 

New Heritage Snowshoe tours

Skiing comes with stories in Banff-Lake Louise, which is why Sunshine Village is excited to introduce their new heritage snowshoeing tours.  Sunshine Village’s local guides will take guests off the beaten track, deep into the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by 360 degree panoramic alpine views. Walk along the path Canada’s First Nations people took to trade with neighboring tribes, and listen to stories of first discovery from European explorers.  www.skibig3.com

Anticipated opening dates: 8th November 2013 - 19th May 2014

 

Mt. Norquay: New long term development plan in conjunction with Parks Canada - NOW OPEN!

Mt. Norquay has received the green light from Parks Canada to move ahead with their long range plan that will see improvements made for both winter and summer.

 

Skiers and boarders will enjoy the plans for widened runs, while the historic Cliff House will be revamped, including a new observation deck and cable-assisted summer hiking known as a via ferrata. The redevelopment of the historic Cliff House is located at the top of the North American Chair and offers unrivalled views of Banff for both skiers and non-skiers at the top of one of the steepest runs in North America. Living and working in a National Park means special considerations will be made for wildlife. As part of the long range plan, Mt. Norquay must also improve habitat in the area by closing and restoring an existing ski run that is located in a wildlife corridor. The plan also includes a new transportation strategy that will see guests brought up the road to Mt. Norquay in groups to reduce the number of vehicles using the route. www.banffnorquay.com

 

Looking for love?

This year sees the return of the hugely successful chair lift speed dating at Mt. Norquay, Lifts of Love. Single? Like to ski or ride? Then meet somebody new on every chair on the evening of February 14th and share a combined love of the breathtaking mountains - who knows where this lift of love could take you? www.skibig3.com

Anticipated opening dates: 1st November 2013 - 21st April 2014

 

Lake Louise Ski Resort - Ski Friends, the Original and the Best

Lake Louise first introduced the free ski friends programme back in 1978 as a way to ensure that visitors to the area would be able to find the best skiing conditions available. Originally utilising the wives of the volunteer ski patrol, the programme established guidelines for tours on the higher slopes and the backside of the area for both weekends and midweek.

 

Soon the eight original guides grew and there are now over one hundred and thirty Ski Friends, all of whom give their services for free and provide a unique quality tour whether intermediate skiers / riders or the more advanced looking for a challenging adventure. Additionally Ski Friends come from a variety of backgrounds and so offer information on history, flora, fauna, parks policy, business, geography, and interesting things to see and do. www.skilouise.com

 

Lake Louise Ski Resort – New world-class events

Lake Louise Ski Area continues to play host to the annual FIS Winterstart Alpine Downhill World Cup (Men's - 30th Nov - 1st Dec and Women's 6th - 8th Dec), as well as the men's and women's FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup for the first time on 21st December 2013.

 

The hugely popular Ski Louise Stampede will return also this season as Canadian Rodeo stars and alumni will take to the slopes in their cowboy hats and chaps, competing in a Snow Cross  race and then a ‘stampede-style’ competition to discover who is tough enough to buck the mountain. www.skilouisestampede.com. This season will also see a revamp of the hugely popular Torchlight Parade. Skiers and boarders can watch one of the most iconic sunsets in the world from atop the Lake Louise Ski Resort, while enjoying après and live music before skiing down to the base via torchlight to continue the party with dinner and dancing.www.skibig3.com

Anticipated opening dates: 8th November 2013 - 5th May 2014

 

Jasper:

Jasper National Park is home to the renowned ski hill, Marmot Basin, which in 2013/14 is celebrating its 50th Anniversary:

 

Marmot Basin: 50th Anniversary

Jasper's Marmot Basin is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2014 after the area was first discovered in the late 1920's by Joe Weiss. Joe was one of the earliest pioneers of ski mountaineering in the Canadian Rockies who led cross-country skiers and helped train British soldiers during World War II. The first rope tow was installed on Marmot Mountain in 1961 and Marmot Basin Ski Lifts Ltd was issued a license by Parks Canada to develop a ski area back in 1964.

 

Since the original Yellow T-bar and Eagle Chalet were constructed, other major developments have followed and in the last ten years alone, over $27 million has been spent on ensuring skiers and boarders enjoy the best possible facilities and conditions within Jasper National Park. Situated in a National Park, Marmot Basin also has a long range plan in partnership with Parks Canada. Details include proposed ski area development over the next 15 years and are part of Parks Canada's tiered approach to ski area planning.

 

To celebrate the anniversary, the 25th annual Jasper in January Festival (18th January - 2nd February) will feature two weeks of fun events and special activities to look back over the last 50 years and the close relationship between the ski hill and the local community. www.skimarmot.com

 

Anticipated opening date: 8th November 2013

 

Nakiska - Now Open!:

Located in Kananaskis Country and the closest mountain to Calgary.

 

New Tube park

Nakiska Ski Area has long been known for being a favourite spot for families and now this winter it will be adding a new Tube Park, featuring two tracks, adjacent to Kids World in the base area.www.skinakiska.com

Opening date: 2nd November 2013

 

The other ski hills of Alberta, Castle Mountain, Fortress Mountain, Nakiska at Kananaskis are all also looking forward to the next season with their latest developments and news coming soon.

 

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For further information please contact: Becky Fairlie-Clarke becky@magictorchpr.org