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!

This is the earliest ski resort opening in Canada as a result of the incredible early season snowfalls we have been receiving.

Banff Lake Louise Sunshine is already on track for another record smashing ski season – let’s hope it continues…

Mt. Norquay is leading the way in the record books with its earliest opening in its history and the first ski resort to open in Canada. Nakiska ski resort announced yesterday that they were going to open on the weekend and Banff Norquay have pipped them today by announcing that they are opening 2 days earlier.

Banff Norquay will be open for skiing tomorrow, Thursday October 25th at 12noon – will you be there?!

The combination of 30 cm of natural and manmade snow has provided the best opening skiing you can imagine! Norquay will also be open 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Following closely on the heels of Mt. Norquay is The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village with opening dates currently scheduled for November 9th, completing the big three ski resorts in Banff National Park. Banff National Park boasts the longest ski season in North America. Your Tri-Area ski pass covers all three and deals such as 7+3 days free and kids ski free end on DECEMBER 15 2012 and are currently available through the U.K. website SKI HOLIDAYS CANADA (you need to contact for rates).

This is fantastic news for skiers and snowboarders to Banff Lake Louise Sunshine.

Banff National Park and its three world-class resorts look forward to a season of fresh powder, great skiing and smooth riding in Canada’s Protected Playground, where open runs and iconic views come naturally to us

I hope you are as excited as us as regarding this announcement!

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!

The Lake Louise Ski Area was the first ski resort to open in Canada on November 5th 2010. Jasper Marmot Basin opened today so too did Banff Mount Norquay and Nakiska which started opening weekends until early December at which time they will open full time for the season.  Whistler Blackcomb is opening six days EARLY on Friday, November 19 at 8:30am.

Opening dates for the rest of our featured ski resorts in Western Canada:

• Banff Norquay Ski Resort – Open for weekends until FRI Dec 3 2010
• Sunshine Village Banff Ski Resort – To open THU Nov 18 2010 / “One snowfall away”
• Lake Louise Mountain Ski Resort – Opened FRI Nov 5 2010 (First in Canada)
• Kicking Horse Mountain Ski Resort – To open mid-December 2010
• Jasper Marmot Basin Ski Resort – Opened SAT Nov 13 2010
• Fernie Alpine Ski Resort – SAT Dec 4 2010
• Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort – “Preview weekend” – Dec 11 and 12 2010
• Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort – FRI Nov 19 2010
• Panorama Mountain Ski Resort – FRI Dec 10 2010
• Nakiska Kananaskis Ski Resort – Opened SAT Nov 13 2010

There are another 37 ski resorts in Western Canada not mentioned here – 11 in Alberta and 26 in British Columbia –> more ski resorts in Western Canada.

For immediate updates on ski news in Western Canada follow @HolidaysCanada for their ski holiday news.

It will be playing soon at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Canada on Saturday, October 30, at 12PM and is definitely worth checking out!

You can view the trailer below or check out their website for more information.

Sunshine will hold the 2nd Annual BIKINIS FOR BREAST CANCER to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. This event is open to all women of all ages. All participants will ski or snowboard down Strawberry Face at the same time in an “S” formation and finish in the village area.

To enter all you have to do is just raise a minimum of $125 in pledges through friends, relatives, co-workers or make a donation yourself. Pledges or donations that are collected can be as little or as much as an individual wants to give, just as long as your total is $125 or more.

There will be lots of prizes including top fundraiser so we encourage you to raise as much money as you can! For more event information or to register for Bikinis for Breast Cancer, please email events@skibanff.com or call 403.762.6508 or 403.762.7890 ext 1218. All registrations must be in by May 20th 2010. Once you sign up you will be given your fundraising pledge sheet and event day information.

Please pass this along to as many women you know and help to save lives! If you would like to make a donation to our Bikinis for Breast Cancer event please contact Karen Guidos at 403.762.6508 or email events@skibanff.com. For more information about the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation please visit www.cbcf.org.

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!

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

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.

Say adios to the 2009/2010 Winter Season with cervezas in the Beer Gardens all afternoon and rock out to the Juno Nominated band TEN SECOND EPIC. CJAY 92 will be hosting the day and giving out awesome Kokanee Prizing! Bring your friends for one last run for the year.

Nakiska is set to close on Sunday, April 11, 2010. However, they have recently announced a “bonus weekend” on Saturday, April 17, 2010 :

BONUS WEEKEND & Bermuda Shorts Day (BSD) Hangover Party