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!

The meteorite is en route and Bruce Willis’ gang of pro-drillers are not proving up to the task. We have 24 hours to live and I have some decisions to make. Suffice it to say, my final meal will be steak with every known variety of potato (chipped, mashed, roasted, dauphinoised etc) washed down by gallons of fantastic, robust red wine, but we’ll get to that later. Where will I go? What will I do?

And so we’re off to Banff…

Given the impending death and destruction that is coming tomorrow, I am very much in the “get-up-early-camp” and so The Sunshine Mountain Lodge, which is Banff’s only ski-in/ ski-out hotel, is the ideal place to take a hearty lumberjack-style breakfast. First track’s breakfast allows diners to eat and head out for…yes…first tracks before the punters arrive! We’ll plump for the traditional Canadian breakfast of pancakes, crispy bacon, maple syrup and icing sugar! Isn’t it just wonderful that the restaurant staff and lifties are happy to work and not spend the hours before Armageddon in the bosom of their families? Such is the industrious nature of Banffers!

I did my ski instructor course at Sunshine Village in 01/02 and, to this day, it remains my favourite ski resort – I like to think of it as the back garden of Banff, my spiritual home! To start the day, we’ll grab a chair and do some carving down some of Sunshine’s wide-open pistes. Continental Divide is always a good place to start to get the leg muscles pumping! After that, we’ll hit Mount Standish a few times with runs down black areas; Headwall, Garbage Chutes and Dirty Little Corner – short pitches but super-steep and pretty intense. Before breaking for lunch, we have time to explore Wawa bowl, dropping the cornice (lip!) into Paris Bowl and back through the always-icy Waterfall and a beautiful run through the trees on Shaken Not Stirred!

Now for lunch, taken in Chimney Corner which offers awe-inspiring views over the jagged peaks of Sunshine Village. It is a view that never gets boring! Sticking with the old Canadian favourites, I’ll be dining on Poutine: a wonderful dish of crispy fries topped by cheese curds and a chicken based sauce washed down by some Canadian Dry!

After lunch, we don our transceivers, pack up probes & shovels and we’re off up to Delirium Dive which plays host to, without doubt, the most insane in-bounds terrain in Canada, if not the world. We hit line after line of steep pitch with cliff drops, narrow chutes, wide-open bowls and a ton of fantastic natural hits. The whole area is covered in the lightest, fluffiest powder snow that provides us with endless face-shots as we whoop and holler our way down!

With tired legs, we ski down the final run and end up at Trapper’s Bar. As we move onto the terrace with an après-ski beer, the sun starts beaming and the temperature gauge on the mercury moves up to 25C. What a stroke of luck!

Not wishing to waste too much time, we head back downtown for a soak in Banff’s famous hot springs. There is nothing like lolling around in deliciously hot water to shake off the aches and pains of a tough day on the slopes.

For dinner at Saltlik (arguably the best steak-house in the world!), I will be joined by Billy Connelly, Smithy from Gavin & Stacey, George Best (I know!) and my best-mate-from-home, Jamie. Eva Longoria Parker will play the part of my love interest. She will sit at my side and gaze longingly at me all night. As indicated earlier, I shall be having at least one steak, but probably two, with a blue-cheese sauce and served with fries, roast potatoes, a little mash potato and a large dish of dauphinoise potatoes. The wine will be French, very old and expensive!

After dinner, we’ll party the night away in Hoodoos and Auroras before Eva and I repair to the Presidential Suite at the Banff Springs Hotel for a night that I will never forget.

The perfect day to see in the Armageddon…!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.