Ski resorts in Canada’s protected playground, Banff National Park, are enjoying the best snow in 18 years.
When you’re on a ski or snowboard holiday, let’s face it, the most important thing is great snow. All the rest is icing on that fluffy white cake. This year you can’t lose.
Check out Travel Alberta ski and snowboard holidays, and read on to discover new deals and tips for skiing and snowboarding in the Canadian Rockies.
Enjoy Record Powder
Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and The Lake Louise Ski Area are within Banff National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. When I visit the mountain town of Banff or the nearby hamlet of Lake Louise – about 90 minutes from Calgary – I often see a few elk wandering nearby as I grab a pre-ski coffee on my way up to the resorts. The outdoors scenery is a way of life here.
Sunshine Village had more powder in November than in the past 18 years. The 2009-10 ski season began with a whopping 209 cm (82 inches) of snow. That helps to create the massive base on which Sunshine skiers and riders can rely for a season that traditionally stretches into late May.
Delirium Dive, Sunshine’s powder-packed area for hard-core skiers and riders, had its earliest opening ever. Lake Louise Ski Area and Mt. Norquay are enjoying similar powder this year.
Try Village Eco-Suites
Sunshine Village has unveiled new luxury hotel eco-suites that provide step-to-the-lifts comfort at Sunshine Mountain Lodge, high up in the mountains. The Lodge is the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in the Bow Valley.
The renovations provide a new wing where guests such as 30 Rock star and 2010 Oscars co-host Alec Baldwin will be staying this season. Love the floor-to-ceiling windows and mountain views from the soaking tub, aside from the sharp reduction in water use and energy consumption.
Tips for Ski Holidays
You can get a tri-area pass that allows access to all three resorts during your stay. Check out the pass at SkiBig3. Banff local Liz Robins, a skier and a rider, helps with some more tips for families, hard-core skiers and riders, and nightlife seekers visiting Banff National Park.
Top Picks for Families
January is mountain festival time. Visit the Banff Winter Festival at the Banff town site in late January with lots of family activities and Ice Magic (Jan. 22-24, 2010) at Lake Louise, highlighted by the International Ice Carving Competition.
Try night skiing at Mt. Norquay starting in January (free for tri-area lift ticket holders) and the new Tubing Park. If you don’t get the pass, the family-oriented Mt. Norquay draws a lot of locals and it has excellent weekday deals. Each of the resorts has family-friendly ski schools and terrain parks.
Check out the downtown Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies to soak up local culture and the region’s history. For kids, special ‘Museo packs’ help them explore with audio. For eats, The Eddie Burger and Bar is small and friendly, and the kids can create their own burgers, though it gets busier and attracts more adults late at night.
Top Picks for Hard Core Skiers and Riders
At Sunshine, Delirium Dive’s earliest ever opening is easily summed up: steep and deep. At Mt. Norquay, take the North American chair and access the more-than-usual black and black diamond snow. At The Lake Louise Ski Area, it’s one of the earliest openings ever for the back bowls. They initially delayed opening them because there was too much snow.
Top Picks for Nightlifers
For a laid-back après ski experience with wine and cheese, try The Bison Lounge in Banff. Liz recommends the Smoked Ketchup as a side dish. The hamlet of Lake Louise is even more laid back and there you’re basically relying on bars and restaurants in the local lodges. You can’t go wrong at two upscale hotels, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Post Hotel.
Late nighters in Banff can try the Trash Can cocktail at The Eddie Burger and Bar. “No one’s quite sure what’s in it,” says Liz. “Part of the fun is trying to figure it out.”
At The Lake Louise Ski Area, you can experience the mountain after hours with mid-mountain après and entertainment, followed by first tracks down a freshly groomed run. An optional bus service back to your Lake Louise or Banff hotel is available. Or sample romantic wine-and-dining nights at Sunshine Mountain Lodge with a Taste of Sunshine monthly.
For pubs, I recommend St. James Gate where locals hang out, and also The Rose and Crown. If you’re into clubbing, try both Aurora and the HooDoo Lounge downtown. Hangover? Melissa’s can’t be beat for a big breakfast at the right price, but there are often killer lineups.