Banff gets first snowfall

Thu 20 August 09

It might be time to crank up the ol snow watch blog again, as Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village are the first N.Hemisphere resorts to report some snow, and its only mid-august.

Banff National Park is enjoying its first glimpse of winter, with a summer snowfall blanketing the mountains!

This past week saw snow covering Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village. The announcment of tentative 2009 opening dates is adding to the excitement.

Mt. Norquay is planning to kick off the season with a August 13, 2009, Lake Louise Ski Area. Halloween party on October 31. This opening will be for weekends only, with midweek opening scheduled for December 5.

Snow in August 09 at Lake Louise Ski Area
Snow in August 09 at Lake Louise Ski Area
Photo: Chris Moseley

Lake Louise Ski Area is scheduled to open on November 6, with preparations well underway to
again host the first, and Canada’s only, stop on the World Cup circuit. The Men’s races will take
place on November 28 to 29, and the Women’s races on December 4 to 6.

Sunshine Village plans to open on November 11, with the newly-renovated Sunshine Mountain
Lodge opening 30 new eco-luxurious rooms shortly after. The multimillion dollar wing replacement
has not only added luxury to the Lodge, but also lowered the resort’s carbon footprint.

“We’re very excited for the upcoming season,” said Dan Markham, of Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. “We’re hoping to yet again be the first resorts to open in Canada, with a great start to this Olympic season.

Related Pages

  • Lake Louise, 17th Feb 2011 Lake Louise Set To Open Further Terrain 17/11/2011
    Lake Louise offers early season’s highest vertical with the opening of more expert terrain. -20Nov11
  • Sunshine Village Opening Day Nov 19 2010 Sunshine Village Banff Set To Open 17/11/2011
    Sunshine Village is set to open this Thursday,November the 17th for the 2011-2012 season, a day earlier than they had inititally expected. -16Nov11
  • Whistler February 12, 2011 Amazing conditions in Canada
    Whistler Blackcomb has officially surpassed its 10m average for the season already, Fernie & Nakiska reporting good snowfalls and fantastic conditions, and Lake Louise have had another half-metre in the past week -17Feb11
  • Sunshine Village Opening Day Nov 19 2010 All Banff resorts now open
    Sunshine Village opened today after heavier than predicted snowfall all week long. Six lifts and over 35 runs are available, all covered in natural snow. -19Nov10
  • Early turns at Copper 21st Oct 2010 Winter has started across the Alps - Snow Update
    Three US resorts likely to open in next24 hours. Ruka opens in Finland, several Norwegian resorts prepare to open after low temps and snow. Heavy snow report in Canada, New England and the Alps. Great skiing right now on the glaciers. Second French resort opens – For One Week Only. Only one southern hemisphere resort open from next week – but its still snowing in New Zealand! -23Oct10
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:: Lake Louise stories
:: Mt Norquay stories
:: Sunshine Village stories

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Lake Louise, Canada
Excellent freeriding on four mountain faces although slopes can get very busy. Facilities in Louise are a bit on the dull side, but overall with Banff as an alternative this is a great destination for all.
Freeriding: 80% - Trees and good off-piste
Freestyle: 75% - A terrain park and pipe
Pistes: 75% - Well pisted and long
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