Canada Ski Blog » update https://canada-ski.com/blog Canada-Ski news, views and travel specials on resorts in the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada. Thu, 02 Oct 2014 00:36:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 Ski Resorts Open Early in Canadian Rockies for 2012-2013 Season https://canada-ski.com/blog/2012/10/ski-resorts-open-early-in-canadian-rockies-for-2012-2013-season.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2012/10/ski-resorts-open-early-in-canadian-rockies-for-2012-2013-season.html#comments Thu, 25 Oct 2012 03:02:56 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=808 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!

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2012/10/ski-resorts-open-early-in-canadian-rockies-for-2012-2013-season.html/feed 0 Kicking Horse Ski Resort – SOLD https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/kicking-horse-ski-resort-sold.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/kicking-horse-ski-resort-sold.html#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:51:43 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=802 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has been sold by its Dutch owners to one of the biggest ski hill operators in North America; Calgary-based RCR (Resorts of the Canadian Rockies)…

Full details: CBC News

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/kicking-horse-ski-resort-sold.html/feed 0 Banff Norquay Teahouse & Snow Tubing https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/banff-norquay-tea-house-tubing.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/banff-norquay-tea-house-tubing.html#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 05:42:24 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=796 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 13th of January)
Saturday 11am-4pm
Saturday 5pm-9pm NIGHT (commencing 14th 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!

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/banff-norquay-tea-house-tubing.html/feed 0 The death of the Kicking Horse Powder Express? https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/the-death-of-the-kicking-horse-powder-express.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/the-death-of-the-kicking-horse-powder-express.html#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:38:56 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=793 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!

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/12/the-death-of-the-kicking-horse-powder-express.html/feed 0 Canada Ski Resorts Snow Conditions and Closures – 2011 https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/04/ski-resorts-western-canada-closed-2011.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/04/ski-resorts-western-canada-closed-2011.html#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:03:18 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=774 Here are the current snow conditions for some of the ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies and Canada. I can’t believe the winter season is coming to an end when the snow conditions are still so great!

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

 

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/04/ski-resorts-western-canada-closed-2011.html/feed 0 Jasper Heli-Skiing https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/03/jasper-heli-skiing.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/03/jasper-heli-skiing.html#comments Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:45:32 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=744 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!

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/03/jasper-heli-skiing.html/feed 0 Powder Alert – Canadian Rockies & Western Canada https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/02/powder-alert-canadian-rockies-western-canadian.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/02/powder-alert-canadian-rockies-western-canadian.html#comments Mon, 14 Feb 2011 04:25:27 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=741 Wow! Did any of you get out today?  The snow conditions were incredible across most ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies and Western Canada today. Here is today’s snow report:

  • Whistler received 20 cm in the past 24 hours, that’s 75 cm in just 2 days!
  • Kicking Horse was another powder King of the day. They received 38cm in the past 24 hours, that’s 50cm in just 2 days!
  • Sunshine Village reported 25cm in the past 24 hours, that’s 38 cm in 2 days!
  • Lake Louise reported 25cm in the past 24 hours.
  • Banff Norquay received over 20cm in the past 24 hours.
  • Jasper Marmot Basin received 27cm of fresh over the past 24 hours.
  • Panorama received 27cm in the past 24 hours, that’s 32 cm in 2 days!
  • Nakiska received 24 cm in the past 24 hours, that’s 32cm in 48 hours!

Thank you Mother Nature and please keep the snow coming!

Happy Valentines to you all for tomorrow – we’re feeling the love!

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2011/02/powder-alert-canadian-rockies-western-canadian.html/feed 0 Ski Resorts in Western Canada Opening – 2010/2011 https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/ski-resorts-in-western-canada-opening-20102011.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/ski-resorts-in-western-canada-opening-20102011.html#comments Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:47:46 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=730 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.

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/ski-resorts-in-western-canada-opening-20102011.html/feed 2 Banff Ski Bus Schedule – Banff Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/banff-ski-bus-schedule2010.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/banff-ski-bus-schedule2010.html#comments Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:35:24 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=721 Please find attached the Banff Ski Bus Schedule to Banff Mount Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise. It is effective from tomorrow, Friday November 5th 2010, and is valid through to December 18th, 2010. The Lake Louise Ski area opens tomorrow as planned – HOORAY!

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.

]]> https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/11/banff-ski-bus-schedule2010.html/feed 0 Whistler Blackcomb Snow – October 2010 https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/10/whistler-blackcomb-snow-october-2010.html https://canada-ski.com/blog/2010/10/whistler-blackcomb-snow-october-2010.html#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:04:51 +0000 Canada Ski Blogger http://canada-ski.com/blog/?p=710 SNOW ALERT!  A heavy Pacific storm has been hitting Whistler Blackcomb this weekend, dropping between 25-30cm of snow at higher elevations. The freezing level is expected to remain steady with more periods of snow forecast for this week. Meteorologists are calling for a La Niña weather cycle for the Pacific Northwest, meaning cooler temperatures and more snow than Whistler Blackcomb’s annual average of 34 feet/10.25m.

Weather Update – October 25, 2010

Temperature Outlook – Freezing levels are currently around 1600m or the Chic Pea on Whistler Mountain, and are expected to remain somewhat steady through Thursday.

Forecasted Snow – With the storm continuing to stick around through to the end of the day we can expect up to 7cm of snow.

Current Snow Line – light accumulations to near the bottom of Solar Coaster Express on Blackcomb

New Snow Last Week- 25-30cm has fallen over the upper part of the mountain throughout the weekend and Monday morning.

Pictures – The photos below were taken by Whistler Blackcomb’s Doug Burnett, manager of the Roundhouse Lodge and Steep’s this weekend.

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