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Win a 3-day Tri-Area Ski Pass

Canada Ski Blogger — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:50:26 +0000

Are you on Twitter? If so, be sure to enter the competition below for your chance to win a free Tri-Area ski pass. The Tri-Area pass covers Banff Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise as well as the ski shuttles from Banff. Banff Norquay is currently open weekends until the end of this month and Lake Louise and Sunshine Village are set to open this Friday, November 9 2012.

All you have to do is follow @HolidaysCanada on Twitter, then retweet (RT) the tweet below and you are immediately entered. A winner will be selected at random this Friday so get your skis on and good luck!

FOLLOW US, RT THIS & WIN a 2012-13 Tri-Area 3-day Ski Pass – Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. Winner will be chosen at random on NOV 9 @ 10am PST

— rocky-peak Holidays (@HolidaysCanada) November 5, 2012

Ski Resorts Open Early in Canadian Rockies for 2012-2013 Season

Canada Ski Blogger — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 03:02:56 +0000

Mt. Norquay in Banff National Park (Western Canada) OPENS TOMORROW!

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!

Banff Norquay Teahouse & Snow Tubing

Canada Ski Blogger — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:42:24 +0000

I can’t say how pleased I was when I heard that Banff Norquay were reopening their tea house after decades of closure. The owners are doing a fantastic job making Banff Norquay even better than before with additional activities such as tubing, sightseeing from the tea house (you don’t need to ski down), snowshoeing and a big air jump with an inflatable landing!

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

Family	$35 +tax
Adult	$15 +tax
Youth/senior	$12 +tax
Child	$10 +tax

SNOW TUBING RATES

Standard Ticket Price	Adult	Youth (13-17)	Child (4-12) Must be 42inches in height
2 Hours	$21.00	$17.85	$15.75
Full Day	$25.20	$21.00	$17.85

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*

Monday	12pm-4pm
Tuesday	12pm-4pm
Wednesday	12pm-4pm
Thursday	12pm-4pm
Friday	12pm-4pm
Friday	5pm-9pm NIGHT (commencing 13^th of January)
Saturday	11am-4pm
Saturday	5pm-9pm NIGHT (commencing 14^th of January)
Sunday	11am-4pm

*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 death of the Kicking Horse Powder Express?

Canada Ski Blogger — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:38:56 +0000

We were a little disappointed to hear that the Kicking Horse Powder Express from Banff has been changed for the upcoming 2011-2012 winter ski season. The Canadian Rockies Blogger posted the details on their blog so I won’t duplicate:
What’s happened to the Kicking Horse Powder Express from Banff this season?

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!

Ski Resort Opening Dates 2011-2012

Canada Ski Blogger — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:50:16 +0000

What a great start to the 2011-2012 winter ski season across Canada! Most ski resorts are already open with great skiing and riding conditions. This weekend is set to be epic with many of the ski resorts opening up more ski lifts and terrain granting access to areas of untouched powder……ahhhhhh

Some early-bird deals on lodging and lift passes are still available until December 15 2011 – drop us a line if you would like more information on where to go and which operators to use.

Confirmed ski resort opening dates below:

Whistler Blackcomb - Opened Nov 24, 2011
Sun Peaks – Opened Nov 19, 2011
Big White – Opens Dec 3, 2011
Silver Star – Opened Nov 11, 2011 (Nordic) / Opened Nov 24, 2011 (Alpine)
Red Mountain – Opens Dec 9, 2011
Revelstoke – Opens Dec 3, 2011
Panorama – Opens Dec 9, 2011
Fernie – Opens Dec 2, 2011
Kicking Horse – Opens Dec 9, 2011
Banff Norquay – Opened Nov 3 for weekends. Opens Dec 2, 2011
Lake Louise Snow – Opened Nov 5, 2011
Sunshine Village – Opened Nov 18, 2011
Jasper Marmot Basin – Opened Nov 11, 2011
Tremblant – Opened Nov 24, 2011

Please see the latest snow report [PDF]:

http://www.skiholidayscanada.co.uk/snow_reports_2011-2012/SnowReport24Nov11.pdf

Jasper Heli-Skiing

Canada Ski Blogger — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:45:32 +0000

2011 has so far brought us incredible ski conditions – the best in years across Western Canada. The best thing of all is that it just keeps coming and coming! Environment Canada predicted a late spring which is so far proving to be true. Last Sunday was the official start of Spring and so far the temperatures have been below average and the snow keeps coming. There is a lot of snow to melt before we see any of the spring vegetation emerge!

We get contacted a lot about heli-skiing and heli-snowshoeing in Jasper National Park. Just like all National Parks across Western Canada, you can not do either of these winter activities within the National Parks and so you will always have to travel a little way out to get to the heli-base. Out of Jasper, you can drive to Robson Helimagic’s base in Valemont, British Columbia. This is about a 1.5 hour drive along the scenic Yellowhead highway. You drive out of Jasper National Park and through Mount Robson Provincial Park to get to the heli-base. You may even see a moose, elk or deer enroute! If you don’t have a vehicle, transportation can be arranged.

We were just notified today by Robson Helimagic that they are revamping their ski program for the 2011-2012 winter season. No more vertical (yes you heard me right!). Basically you will buy heli-time. With these proposed changes, a group of 1-4, for example, will pay one price regardless of how many are skiing. This gives skiers and riders better skiing options and makes private group skiing incredible value.

Robson Helimagic has access to about 1,000sq Kms of terrain in the remote western slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Their season typically runs from January until the end of March.

For more information, visit the official website of Robson Helimagic.

Check out their latest video for a taster of what to expect:

We love comments – feel free to post your heli-experiences below!

Ski Resorts in Western Canada Opening – 2010/2011

Canada Ski Blogger — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:47:46 +0000

Exciting times here in Western Canada – the ski resorts are starting to open and the long-term season outlook is looking very promising with La Nina predicted to hit which will bring lots of snow!

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.

Fernie Snow, October 2010

Canada Ski Blogger — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:25:11 +0000

Lots of snow already at Fernie Alpine Resort. The video below was taken about a week ago. They received 40cm of new snow on October 26th! Opening day is set to be epic – scheduled for December 4th 2010. Excited?! We are!!!

Whistler Blackcomb to extend 2010 season

Canada Ski Blogger — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 21:14:51 +0000

PHENOMENAL SPRING SNOW AND GUEST INPUT PROMPTS WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TO REVISE SPRING CLOSING DATES

Spring skiing/riding continues to April 25 2010 on Whistler Mountain and May 24 2010 on Blackcomb Mountain

Whistler Blackcomb has announced the decision to extend skiing and riding on Whistler Mountain by one week. Whistler Mountain’s last day of operations will be Sunday, April 25 2010 while Blackcomb Mountain’s last day of operations will be Monday, May 24 2010.

“With over 1,353 centimetres (533 inches) of snow so far this season and a current snow base of 363 centimetres (143 inches), this incredible season is far from over,” says Dave Brownlie, president and chief operating officer at Whistler Blackcomb. “The great snow was a key factor in deciding to keep Whistler Mountain open an additional week, but guest feedback about Whistler Mountain closing during the second week of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival played a big role in the decision as well. We listened to the feedback, then reviewed and revised the required lift maintenance schedule, allowing us to extend Whistler Mountain’s winter operations by one week.”

The last day of operations for the Creekside Gondola and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will remain as scheduled on Sunday, April 18 when regular lift maintenance must begin. The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will open May 15 via Fitzsimmons Express (weather permitting). Whistler Mountain, along with the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, will reopen for summer sightseeing for the Memorial Day long weekend, starting Saturday, May 29.

Spring Skiing and Riding

- Whistler Mountain is open for skiing and riding through Sunday, April 25, 2010 via the Whistler Village Gondola.

- Blackcomb Mountain is open for skiing and riding through Monday, May 24, 2010.

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

- The last day of operations for the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be Sunday, April 18 to allow for regular lift maintenance prior to re-opening for summer sightseeing.

- The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will re-open for the Victoria Day long weekend, May 22 – 24, and accessible via the Wizard Express and Solar Coaster Chairs on Blackcomb Mountain.

- The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will re-open for daily summer sightseeing on Saturday, May 29, accessed via the Whistler Village Gondola.

Creekside Gondola

- The last day of operations will be Sunday, April 18. Access to Whistler Mountain will be via the Whistler Village Gondola only from Monday, April 19 through Sunday, April 25.

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

- The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will kick off operations on Saturday, May 15 (weather permitting) via the Fitzsimmons Express.

Summer Sightseeing

- Whistler Mountain and the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be open daily for summer sightseeing starting Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend).

- Skiing/riding will not be available on either mountain during the Memorial Day long weekend.

Summer Glacier Skiing

- The summer glacier ski season will kick off on Blackcomb Mountain, Saturday, June 19.

For up-to-the-minute information on current weather and snow conditions at Whistler Blackcomb visit Ski Holidays Canada – Whistler

Source: Whistler Blackcomb

Whistler Heli-Skiing

Canada Ski Blogger — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:14:00 +0000

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Let the Season Begin!

It’s currently snowing in Whistler and we are excited to announce that Whistler Heli-Skiing is scheduled to start heli-skiing tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10th!

Yesterday Whistler Heli-Skiing were up in the helicopters taking a look at the alpine terrain. They found some good skiing in the Spearhead and outlying areas and are excited to strap on their skis and boards tomorrow for the first runs of their 28th season (2008-2009).

Weather looks good for flying on both Wednesday and Thursday with more snow expected to arrive on Friday and clearing skies on Saturday.

Contact rocky-peak Ski Holidays to book.