Top honours for opening first go to Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Area as both resorts opened on Saturday, Nov.8, thanks to recent snowfall.
The high speed Glacier Express quad chair and the Wiwaxy run at Lake Louise, and the Cascade Lift and Speculation run at Mt. Norquay will be open for skiers and riders to hit the country’s earliest snow. With more winter weather in the forecast, there will be extra terrain opening soon, with Sunshine Village scheduled to open in mid-November.
“We’re excited to have Banff’s resorts opening, and everyone’s been working hard to ensure the mountains are ready,” says Dan Markham of Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. “Being the first resorts to open in Canada, we hope the world will join us in shaking off the summer rust and kicking off a great season.”
Mt. Norquay’s opening, earlier than predicted, will enable skiers and riders to hit the snow for weekends only while staff prepare the resort for full opening Dec. 5. Both resorts are offering discounted lift tickets to help skiers and riders get the first runs for less.
Dependable snow conditions are why Lake Louise hosts the first Men’s and Women’s World Cup races of the year – the only Canadian stop on the World Cup circuit. This year’s Men’s races will be held Nov. 29-30, and the Women’s Dec. 5-7. The International Ski Federation (FIS) last month recommended Lake Louise to host the races until at least 2011, showing confidence in the resort’s performance on the world stage.
Lake Louise is Canada’s largest single ski area with 4,200 acres of skiable terrain and over 3,000 feet of vertical. Mt. Norquay offers great beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain as well, and offers the only night skiing in Banff-Lake Louise, including a fully lit terrain park.
Early Season Lift Ticket Prices:
Mt Norquay
$20 for adults, $10 for 6-12 year olds, free for 5 year olds and under.
Lake Louise Ski Area
Full day – $38.00 for adults, $26.40 for seniors and youth, $12.50 for children.
Full day – $30.75 for adults, $21.00 for seniors and youth, $10.00 for children.
Lake Louise Card holders – $25.00, without having to use their first free day.
Info: www.skibig3.com
