The tea house was first built in the early 50s and is a big part of Banff Norquay’s history, “reborn”. You can now ride up the North American Chair to enjoy  picture perfect perspective of the town of Banff.

TEA HOUSE CHAIR LIFT RATES

SNOW TUBING RATES

Family pass 2 adults 2 children** of the same family 
2hrs 58$ +tax
Full Day 74$ +tax
Add on kids 12$+tax (combined with a family package)
**Children must be 42″ in height and 4 years or older to use the tube park.

HOURS OF OPERATION*

*Please note: Hours subject to change based on snow conditions.

GST (tax) is currently 5%.

You can visit Banff Norquay’s website direct for more information: banffnorquay.com

Banff Norquay resort statistics

Cheers to Banff Norquay!

What do you think skiers and riders? Comment below and let’s get this conversation going…

Happy Christmas everyone and hope Santa brings you a nice new set of skis or snowboard!

Some early-bird deals have been extended until January 15 2011 – not what I would call “early” as we are already well into the season (but best not to complain). Deals include 50% OFF loding at Panorama Ski Resort for stays of 5+ nights as part of a ski package through Ski Holidays Canada. Panorama was sold by Intrawest last year, and the new management at Panorama are really making an excellent attempt with providing tour operators with awesome deals. There is also a scheduled Panorama service from Calgary YYC airport making it easier to get to Panorama ski resort. If you have not tried Panorama – you should make it your next ski holiday destination.

Discounted Banff ski passes are still on sale too. The Tri-Area pass covers Banff Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. The ski shuttles from Banff currently only pick up from three locations with exception to the Lake Louise ski bus which now picks up at most hotels in Banff. Thank you Lake Louise – we salute you!

Now, what about this fresh snow we’ve been talking about? Here is what we have received at our featured ski resorts in the last 12-24 hours:

• Sunshine Village – 4cm (1.6in) over last 24 hours
• Kimberley – 5cm (2in) over the last 24 hours and it’s still snowing
• Panorama – 6cm (2.4in) over the last 24 hours
• Lake Louise – 6 cm (2.4in) over the last 12 hours
• Fernie – 9cm (3.5in) over the last 24 hours and it’s still snowing
• Jasper Marmot Basin – 10cm (4in) over the last 24 hours
• Kicking Horse – 13cm (5.1in) over the last 24 hours
• Whistler Blackcomb – 26cm (10in) over the last 24 hours and it’s still snowing! MEGA-POW baby!

Okay, now what  are you doing still sat reading this blog post – get out and enjoy and we look forward to any comments you have!

Best wishes for 2011 from Canada-Ski.com!

Prices for the bus to Mount Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area & Sunshine Village are as follows:

Adult Return: $15 (Included with pass*)
Adult One-Way: $10 (Included with pass*)
Child Return: $10 (Free**)
Child One-Way: $6 (Free**)

*A Tri-Area lift ticket includes the bus trip.

**Children SKI FOR FREE with a minimum purchase of an adult ski pass through Ski Holidays Canada. Up to 4 children can SKI FOR FREE per adult.



This schedule is subject to change. Please speak to the hotel front desk or concierge for exact times.

With a lot of early bird ski holiday deals in Canada, some of which are exclusive to the U.K. market, there is not a better time to lock into low rates for the winter 2010-2011 ski season.

50% OFF Panorama accommodation ends June 30 2010 so be sure to check out these low rates (the lowest we have seen!). Obtain an online quote using the link below and book by June 30 2010 to receive an additional $50 off any online booking. Be sure to call and mention “CANSKI50″ and an additional $50 will be discounted off your quote.

Visit www.BookSkiHoliday.com for an online quote or to book.

The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is the single harmonized value-added tax that will replace the GST and PST in British Columbia on July 1, 2010. The HST will apply at a rate of 12 per cent to those goods and services that are subject to GST. In other words, the PST will be eliminated and a 7 per cent provincial rate will be added to the 5 per cent GST. This 12 per cent combined tax will be called the HST.

Which of your featured ski resorts are affected?

All ski resorts in British Columbia (BC), Western Canada, will be affected by this new HST. Out of our featured ski resorts, these include Fernie, Kimberley, Kicking Horse, Panorama and Whistler Blackcomb.

Will my ski holiday in British Columbia cost me more?

In short, yes. The main impact is on the lift passes which will now be subject to 12% tax (instead of 5%) at all the ski resort in British Columbia. A full list of ski resorts in BC can be viewed HERE.

How can I avoid this tax?

If you book and pay in full by the end of this month, April 2010, then you will not have to pay the additional 7% tax for next season. May 1 2010 onwards, you will have to pay the additional tax.

If you want to avoid the tax completely after May 1 2010, take your ski holiday in Alberta where goods and services are only subject to 5% GST. Out of our featured ski resorts, these include Banff Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, Jasper Marmot Basin and Nakiska. I suspect suppliers in British Columbia may lower rates or at the very least keep rates the same as last winter to keep competitive with suppliers in Alberta.

Booking in advance will save you money as there are some great early-bird ski deals available. Ski Holidays Canada for example have free ski days, hotel nights and kids ski and rent for free at select ski resorts as early-booking incentives.

April 17 – 2010 : ATB Financial Snow Day

Take a “Snow Day” with ATB Financial! Show your ATB credit card or debit card at Guest services on April 17, 2010 and receive a full day lift ticket for just $50+GST! In addition, the first 300 ATB customers will receive a free BBQ hamburger voucher with the purchase of each discount lift ticket, and all ATB customers can enter into a draw to win a 2010/11 family season pass!

Location: The Lake Louise Ski Area

Time: All Day!

April 17, 18 – 2010: CJAY 92 Celebrity BBQ Weekend

CJAY 92 celebrities will be rocking out Temple Beach will flipping burgers at Temple Beach on the backside of the ski area.

Location: Temple Beach at Temple Lodge

Time: 11am – 2pm

April 16, 17, 18 – 2010: The Lake Louise Reunion Party – 1st Annual

The Lake Louise Ski Area would like to thank everyone who has worked in Lake Louise by holding a special weekend long celebration!

The event kicks off on Friday April 16th with the Summit Cup event (optional), and an evening Torchlight Dinner & Ski party (optional). On Saturday April 17th prepare yourself for a huge Reunion Party that includes live music, dancing, appetizer buffet, cash bar, and more! Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast on Sunday April 18th (included in your reunion ticket price)! Experience the best skiing that Lake Louise has to offer at heavily reduced rates (up to 3 days)!

April 17 – 2010: Cardboard Box Downhill Derby

Get creative with cardboard for the annual Cardboard Box Downhill Derby! Put your carpentry skills to the test by building a sled using only cardboard, string, tape, and glue. Teams can be made up of 1-4 people.

Location: Easy Street

Time: 11:30pm – 1:30pm Registration (tent beside Kokanee Kabin)

2:00pm Race Start

Awards immediately following the race!

Cost: FREE

April 17 – 2010: 1-5-9 Style Session

Arts Vs Crafts and Rude Boys present the 1-5-9 Style Sessions hosted in the Lake Louise Ski Area’s terrain park. Pick your heat: 180′s, 540′s or 900′s. There will be $3000 in cash prizes awarded to the competitors who execute the 1, 5, or 9 with the best style and control. Rude Boys is also bringing truck loads of product prizing. Sorry skiers, this is a snowboarder?s only event.

Location: Showtime Terrain Park

Time: 9:00am registration beside the Kokanee Kabin

Cost: $20

April 17, 18 – 2010: Spring Music Session – The Dudes

The Dudes formed in 1996 using their energetic live sound to grasp the hearts of Calgarians, the town that they call home, and is now winning the hearts of all Canadians. Influenced by artists like The Flaming Lips and Weezer, they have now played festivals as large at The Virgin Fest in Calgary and the JunoFest in Vancouver.

Kokanee Beer Gardens

Time: 2:30pm-3:30pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Cost: FREE

In the last 24 hours, Sunshine Village received 25cm, Banff Norquay 20+cm and  Lake Louise 13cm. These ski resorts are all included in your Tri-Area Ski Lift Pass.

The following ski resorts also received some fresh:

Panorama 11cm, Kicking Horse 10cm, Fernie 7cm, Jasper Marmot Basin 5cm, Whistler Blackcomb 4cm, Nakiska 4cm

- Whistler Blackcomb’s season is now it’s SECOND snowiest in history!

- Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort is now CLOSED for winter operations.

From the top of the mountain you have the greatest vertical in the Rockies to cruise down. Your ankles will burn if you try to go from top to bottom in one go! Kicking Horse‘s longest run is 10 km (6 miles) and there is a green run all the way down so that the more cautious of you can join in! With plenty of steep and deep, Kicking Horse offers some of the most challenging terrain in the Rockies as well as accommodating the beginner skier and rider’s needs. You can view the full statistics on Kicking Horse Mountain Resort by visiting a Kicking Horse Mountain Resort statistic summary page (complied by rocky-peak Ski Holidays).

The price of just $90 per adult, and $80 per child/youth including ALL tax is comparable in price to that of a regular day pass in most ski resorts in Western Canada. The Kicking Horse Powder Express will operate 7 days a week from January 6 2008 until one week before the season end. From December 19 to January 6 2008, the Kicking Horse Powder Express will be only operating on Wednesdays and Fridays.

What are you waiting for??! All aboard the Powder Express!