Get ready skiers and riders, the Lake Louise Ski Area is preparing to open for the 2010-2011 season on Friday, November 5, 2010!

“Right now, everything is pointing to an excellent ski season at Lake Louise,” exults Marketing Director John Ross. “Based on our experience from previous years, the Lake Louise Ski Area should be open for skiing and riding in about a month’s time.”

One of the most positive prospects heading into this season is the almost unanimous opinion that “Old Man Winter” will be making a triumphant return to the Rocky Mountains as the sporadic weather phenomena known as “LA NINA” is currently establishing itself over the Pacific Ocean. La Nina years usually bring somewhat colder temperatures and much higher than average precipitation levels to Western Canada and Alberta. The Farmer’s Almanac, Environment Canada and the American National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) are all currently predicting a typical “La Nina” winter.
Should “La Nina” take it’s time in arriving however, Lake Louise’s world class snowmaking system is also gearing up to start full production beginning at midnight on October 15 (temperatures permitting). Current water levels and flow rates on the Pipestone River, the source of the water for Lake Louise’s snowmaking system, are running high, which will allow all snow guns to operate at full capacity right from the start.

Travelling to Lake Louise for opening day will also be much safer and faster than ever before, as the twinning of the Trans Canada Highway between Castle Mountain and Lake Louise is almost complete. The construction crew is currently ahead of schedule, under budget, and remains confident that all four lanes of traffic will be ready to go before opening day on November 5.

For more information on current winter preparations at the Lake Louise Ski Area, please check out the Lake Louise Lowdown at http://lakelouiselowdown.wordpress.com/