Ski and ride for just $2 at Banff Norquay on the following Thursdays in 2013:

1. January 17th
2. February 21st
3. March 21st
4. April 11th

For those of you who aren’t Canadian, a “toonie” is a name we use to refer to a $2 coin.

Hope you get chance to enjoy this incredible value – this has to be the best ski deal IN THE WORLD – what do you think??!

Happy skiing and riding!

Whistler / Blackcomb

Snow Base: 371cm

Lifts Open: 33 / 38

Runs Open: 200 / 200

Sun Peaks CLOSED

Big White CLOSED

Silver Star CLOSED

Red Mountain CLOSED

Revelstoke CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 16, 2011

Snow Base: 278cm (Alpine)

Lifts Open: 0 / 4 Runs

Open: 0 / 54

Panorama CLOSED

Fernie CLOSED

Snow Base: 386cm

Lifts Open: 9 / 9

Runs Open: 113 / 113

Kicking Horse CLOSED UNTIL APRIL 15, 2011

Snow Base: 240cm (Mid-Mountain)

Lifts Open: 0 / 6

Runs Open: 0 / 137

Banff / Lake Louise

Norquay OPEN UNTIL APRIL 24, 2011

Snow Base: 140cm (Mid Mountain)

Lifts Open: 5/5

Runs Open: 36 / 36

Lake Louise OPEN UNTIL MAY 8, 2011

Snow Base: 187cm (Mid Mountain)

Lifts Open: 9 / 9

Runs Open: 137/ 138

Sunshine Village

Snow Base: 235cm (Mid Mountain)

Lifts Open: 12 / 12

Runs Open: 106 / 107

Jasper

Snow Base: 135cm (Mid-Mountain)

Lifts Open: 7 / 8

Runs Open: 86 / 86

Tremblant CLOSED

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.

Here we’re celebrating longer days, our infamous spring snow dumps, and skiing and riding until May 24 2010 – that’s almost 6 weeks still to go! To celebrate properly, there is a ton of great music and events all the way up to closing day.

We’ve got a quick look at what we’re most excited for this spring. But there’s way more going on than we can list here, so check out the events lineup for all the fun.

Strawberry Jam at Sunshine Village

Every weekend from April 24 to May 24

The “jam packed” lineup includes Redneck Rodeo, the first ever So You Think You’re Fast competition, an appearance from the Coors Light Snow Bunnies, DJ’s and live music from BC/DC, George Canyon and One More Girl.

Todd Selecks at The Lake Louise Ski Area

April 24 to 25

Another Spring Music Session delivers great music from soul-topped, funk-rock Todd Sellecks at the Kokanee Kabin. All Spring Music Session concerts are FREE.

Country 105 Celebrity BBQ Weekend at The Lake Louise Ski Area

April 24 to 25

Country 105 celebrities will be flipping burgers to today’s hottest country music at Temple Beach on the backside of the ski area.

The Coors Light Peak Party at Sunshine Village

April 24 to 25

The Coors Light Snow Bunnies will be here all weekend. The fun will include the You Look Good Riders Cup on Saturday and the Pando Ski Comp on the same course Sunday, plus a fashion show, sampling, Coors Light beer garden, demos and DJ’s pumping you up all weekend.

Kokanee Meltdown at The Lake Louise Ski Area

May 1

Kokanee beer gardens, live music and fresh mountain air! With free access to the beer gardens and music.

VW Spring Episode at The Lake Louise Ski Area

May 1 to 2

Season end party at The Lake Louise Ski Area with beer gardens, Appleton’s Beach, demos, contests and Kids Zone. There’ll be tons of music from Smalltown DJ’s, Shout Out Out Out Out and Young Ones, plus events like Shop Showdown, The Akademy’s and What the Huck!?.

Party Like A Rockstar Weekend at Sunshine Village

May 15 to 16

Back by popular demand, BC/DC will be rockin’ the stage all weekend long. Dress up as your favourite rockstar, and stand a chance to win prizes for best-dressed. The Rockstar street team will be giving out energy drink samples too.

Slush Cup and Beach Party at Sunshine Village

May 22-24

Live music from New Moon and DJ’s all weekend, Bikinis for Breast Cancer fundraiser, an exclusive performance from the Sunshine Rockstar winners and the 82nd annual Slush Cup on Sunday!

• Panorama and Kimberley ski resorts are now closed for the winter 2009/2010 ski season.
• Fernie, Kicking Horse and Nakiska are all currently closed but are opening for a BONUS weekend – this weekend!
• This weekend is Banff Norquay‘s last weekend of the 2009/2010 ski season.
• Jasper Marmot Basin – April 25 2010
• Lake Louise – May 2 2010
• Sunshine Village Banff – May 24 2010
• Whistler Mountain – April 25 and
• Blackcomb Mountain – May 24 2010

If you can’t see your ski resort listed here, we have listed more ski resorts in Western Canada and you can visit their websites direct.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you next season!

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

Just when you thought the ski season was over Mother Nature forgets it is spring and dumps over 80cm (31.5in) of new snow on the resort in the past two weeks!

Kicking Horse is in fabulous condition from top to bottom and conditions are just too great to close so there is one last chance to ride.

“The bonus weekend is our way of saying thanks to our season pass holders, locals, homeowners and the community.  There is simply no better way to do this than serving up some of our Champagne Powder on a bonus weekend,” states Steve Paccagnan, President and CEO of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

The resort will be closed today through to Friday this week and re-open on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th April 2010.

The lifts will be turning at 9:00am and stay open until 4:00pm.

Bonus Weekend Deals are available!

The resort is closed all week so any fresh snow will be untouched until they re-open!

Total snowfall reaches 1,432cm/47 feet and a snow base of 378cm/12 feet

Another blast of winter weather hit Whistler Blackcomb dropping 25 centimetres on the mountains in the past 48 hours. The fresh powder brings the total snowfall this season to 1,432 centimetres or 47 feet, surpassing the 2006/07 record of 1,416 centimetres or 46 feet, making this season officially the second snowiest on record.

“This is great news for our spring season as we head into the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival kicking off on April 16,” says Stuart Rempel, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Whistler Blackcomb. “With a snow base of close to four metres (over 12 feet), the skiing and riding will be incredible right through to the end of our spring season which extends to May 24. This snow has our terrain parks in top shape, including a new 22-foot halfpipe on Blackcomb, which is being built for the Festival and will remain open to the public afterwards.”

The Environment Canada forecast is calling for more snow, then sunny skies for the weekend. Close to 100 per cent of Whistler Blackcomb terrain is open, including the Olympic Men’s and Women’s alpine skiing courses. With lift access and plenty of free parking available at Creekside, Whistler Village, Blackcomb Base and Blackcomb Base 2, the mountains are wide open for all to enjoy.

The 15th annual TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival kicking off April 16 to 25 gets set to deliver the ultimate after-party after what could only be described as an epic season. This spring-time Festival cranks the energy level up in Whistler several notches when ski resorts around the world are winding down. Daily free outdoor concerts, film, photography, fashion and multimedia events, ski and snowboard contests that set new benchmarks within the industry, and endless nightlife celebrate mountain culture in a way that no other resort does.

Whistler Blackcomb is open for skiing and riding through to May 24 – Whistler Mountain through April 25 and Blackcomb Mountain to May 24 2010.

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.