alberta
Marmot Basin
winter activity guide
Ride and Ski the legends The Lake Louise Ski Area
Nakiska
Sunshine Village
Castle Mountain
Mt. Norquay
Marmot Basin
SkiCanadianRockies.com
ALBERTA
Join us this winter. Experience this
extraordinary place
and discover Alberta’s
genuine warmth!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
Gateway to the Rockies
5
The Lake Louise Ski Area
7
Sunshine Village
9
Mt. Norquay
11
Nakiska
13
Castle Mountain
15
Marmot Basin
17
Other Activities
An invitation to come out and play. No other country in the world embraces the festive nature of winter like Canada, and within this vast landscape the province of Alberta has no equal. By November, a seasonal flurry of activities, festivals and adventures commences. The snow gods generously blanket the majestic Canadian Rockies with the lightest and the driest of snowfalls. Alberta’s great outdoors will entice you to stretch your muscles and revitalize your senses. You may ask yourself — how can so many folks be so active in the winter time? Don’t let the images fool you. Alberta is actually far warmer than you would imagine. Winds can roll off the eastern slopes of the Rockies raising temperatures by up to 40ºC (100ºF) in a span of just 24 hours! Called ‘chinooks’, these blasts of hot air are a phenomenon unique to Alberta. Nature remains unspoiled in the Canadian Rockies and even in the winter it is teeming with wildlife. For urban attractions, Calgary and Edmonton are cosmopolitan city centres and both resonate with adventures, museums, world-class hotels, restaurants and, of course, fabulous shopping. Need more convincing? Alberta is the only province in Canada with no provincial sales tax. So, join us this winter. Experience this extraordinary place and discover Alberta’s genuine warmth! AVERAGE TEMPERATURES: Sept. – Nov. Dec. – Feb. Mar. – May
11ºC (52ºF) -11ºC (12ºF) 9ºC (48ºF) 2
GATEWAY TO THE ROCKIES
EDMONTON
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CALGARY
SKIING & SNOWBOARDING
The city is sophisticated and contemporary, home of the world-famous Calgary Stampede. Celebrated as the fastest growing city in Canada, Calgary is framed by rich and rolling ranchlands and embraces the spirit and entrepreneurship of the west.
Of all the wondrous winter activities to be found in Alberta, two stand out as truly extraordinary in their popularity with visitors from around the world. Skiing and snowboarding.
EDMONTON Edmonton, “festival city”, is Alberta’s capital to the north and is a thriving cultural centre. Renowned for its theatre and arts festivals, the parkland city is truly multicultural. It is also the perfect place to indulge in shopping, bistros and museums.
SKIING & SNOWBOARDING
Banff National Park is home to three of the world's finest ski resorts; Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village, offering almost 8,000 acres of skiable terrain on one convenient, tri-area lift ticket. Experience a variety of terrain to suit every skill level and desire, from gentle groomed runs to some of the world's most extreme in-bounds challenges. There’s something for everyone. Dave Duncan
CALGARY
Alberta’s two main international gateway cities are Edmonton and Calgary. Direct flights from many national and international cities with most major airlines and charter companies mean great accessibility - the choice is yours.
The high altitude and inland location guarantee the dry, light snow they’re famous for - and plenty of it. Stunning mountain backdrops, shortage of lift lines and friendly local hospitality make for an unforgettable skiing and snowboarding vacation amidst the world’s most awesome scenery.
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With over 4,200 acres of terrain spread across four mountain faces, The Lake Louise Ski Area offers unparalleled skiing and riding just minutes from the village of Lake Louise. The exceptional layout allows families and groups of all abilities to ski together with beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair. The Lake Louise Ski Area is the proud recipient of the WestJet Up! Magazine 2009 Value Award, an accolade acknowledging the resort’s continuous efforts to improve guest experiences.
John Evely
Lift Capacity: Approximately 13,700 skiers/hour. Terrain Parks and Pipes: Terrain Park, rails, table tops, fun boxes beginner, intermediate & expert features. Ski and Snowboard School: Group and private ski & snowboard lessons, learn to ski & snowboard packages, clinics, ski & snowboard weeks, First Tracks.
Accommodation: Hotels in the Lake Louise area are only 5 minutes from the resort, while those located in Banff are a scenic 45 minutes away. Tri-area lift tickets include transportation to and from these locations. The Inside Edge: Follow the sun all day long over the four mountain faces. Contact: The Lake Louise Ski Area 1-866-830-7218 | www.skibig3.com
the lake louise ski area
991 m (3,250 ft.) 1646 m (5,400 ft.) 2637 m (8,650 ft.) 4200 acres 454 cm (179 in.) 400 acres 139 runs Advanced 30% Intermediate 45% Novice 25% 8 km (5 miles)
Day Care: Available from 18 months to six years old.
Henry Georgi
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Peak: Acreage: Average Snowfall: Snowmaking: Trails: Terrain: Longest Run:
Lifts: 1 six passenger gondola 1 high-speed six passenger chairlift 2 high-speed quad chairlifts 1 quad, 1 triple 1 lower mountain t-bar 1 upper mountain platter 1 beginner surface lift
The only Canadian stop on
the World Cup alpine circuit.
Henry Georgi
Craig Douce
5
Banff National Park, 5 minutes from Lake Louise Village
the giant of Canadian skiing.
THE FACTS Location:
The Lake Louise Ski Area is
For over 80 years Sunshine Village has been serving up what is usually found only in skier’s dreams – endless mountain terrain, abundant snow and uncrowded slopes. Located close to the Town of Banff, Sunshine Village offers superb snow on over 3,300 acres of terrain.
Canada’s highest elevated resort
This is where you’ll find Banff National Park’s only ski-in, ski-out accommodation, the newly renovated Sunshine Mountain Lodge. Following a multimillion dollar wing replacement, the Lodge opens 30 luxurious new rooms in December 2009.
has great, guaranteed snow conditions, with an average annual snowfall
over 30 feet.
Sean Hannah Richard Hallman
THE FACTS Location: Banff National Park, 15 minutes from Banff townsite
Sean Hannah
SUNSHINE VILLAGE
Jake Bauer
of
Sean Hannah
Sunshine Village holds the title of ‘Best View from the Best Off-Piste Run’ 2008 awarded by Ski Canada magazine.
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Village Elevation: Peak: Acreage: Average Snowfall: Snowmaking: Trails: Terrain: Longest run:
1070 m (3,514 ft.) 1660 m (5,440 ft.) 2160 m (7,082 ft.) 2730 m (8,954 ft.) 3,358 acres 914 cm (360 in.) Over 30 feet of natural snow annually 107 runs Advanced 25% Intermediate 55% Novice 20% 8 km (5 miles)
Lifts: 1 eight passenger high-speed gondola 5 high-speed quad chairlifts, 2 quad chairlifts 1 triple chairlift, 1 double chairlift 2 beginner magic carpets Lift Capacity: Over 20,000 skiers/hour. Terrain Parks & Pipes: Rogers Terrain Park features rails, fun boxes, table tops and other exciting features. Ski and Snowboard School: Group and private ski & snowboard lessons & clinics, learn to ski & snowboard packages, kids lessons.
Day Care: Available for children 19 months to 6 years. Accommodation: Sunshine Mountain Lodge – ski and stay at over 7,000 feet above sea level. Banff hotels are just 15 minutes away. Transportation to and from Banff-Lake Louise is included with a tri-area lift ticket. The Inside Edge: Avoid the crowds by skiing Goat’s Eye Mountain in the morning, Mt. Standish and Lookout Mountain in the afternoon. Contact: Sunshine Village 1-866-830-7218 | www.skibig3.com 8
Since its opening in 1926, Mt. Norquay continues to be the locals’ gem. Famous as the training ground of Olympic athletes, and with excellent beginner terrain, everyone will love this small, family-friendly resort. Just minutes from Banff, Mt. Norquay offers the only night skiing in the area and NEW for 2009/2010, family-fun tubing! Plus expert snowmaking on 85% of terrain.
mt. norquay
Roger Witney Peak Photography
Mt. Norquay has been cited as ‘a host to awe-inspiring vistas… every angle another postcard in the making,’ by Snowboarder magazine, 2009.
THE FACTS
This is
the best-kept secret
in the Canadian Rockies!
NEW family-fun tubing!
Location:
Banff National Park, 5 minutes from Banff townsite
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Peak: Acreage: Average Snowfall: Snowmaking: Trails: Terrain: Longest Run:
503 m (1,650 ft.) 1630 m (5,350 ft.) 2133 m (7,000 ft.) 190 acres 300 cm (120 in.) 85% of skiable terrain 28 runs Expert 16% Advanced 28% Intermediate 36% Novice 20% 1.167 km (0.725 miles)
Lifts: 1 high-speed quad chairlift 2 quad chairlifts 1 double chairlift 1 surface lift Lift Capacity: Approximately 7,000 skiers/hour.
Day Care: Available for children 19 months to 6 years. Accommodation: Hotels in the Banff area are just five minutes from the resort. Tri-area lift tickets include bus transportation to and from these locations.
Terrain Parks & Pipes: The Backyard Terrain Park includes rails, table tops, fun boxes and other unique features.
The Inside Edge: Tubing is a great way for the whole family to enjoy the snow! Check out the night skiing – included with a tri-area lift ticket.
Ski and Snowboard School: Group and private ski & snowboard lessons learn to ski & snowboard packages.
Contact: Mt. Norquay 1-866-830-7218 | www.skibig3.com
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the Canadian Rockies, Calgary’s the giant ofclosest Canadian skiing! The only Canadian stopmountain on the World Cup circuit.
Located in Kananaskis Country, Nakiska is the host site of the XV Winter Olympic Downhill Events and Official National Training Centre for Alpine Canada Alpin. The resort features some of the best Olympic-length cruising and carving runs groomed to perfection. New for the 2009/2010 season is the Gold Chair Express Lift that skiers and riders will ride to the summit in less than five minutes! New gladed areas amp-up the adventure while trail widening and lengthening make the mountain more skier-friendly.
to Gateway Lake Louise Ski Area is Nakiska is
Dan Hudson
Kananaskis Country, 45 minutes west of Calgary
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Peak: Average Snowfall: Snowmaking: Trails: Longest Run:
735.2 m (2,412 ft.) 1524.9 m (5,003 ft.) 2260.1 m (7,415 ft.) 250 cm (8.3 ft.) 95% of skiable terrain 28 (35 acres gladed) 3.3 km (2 miles)
Lifts: 2 high-speed quads 1 double 2 surface lifts
Day Care: Available for children 19 months to 6 years.
Lift Capacity: 8,620 skiers/hour.
Accommodation: Located just 5 minutes from Nakiska, Kananaskis Village provides accommodation, dining and other services.
Ski & Snowboard School: Group and private lessons/programs for all levels and ages. Discover ski & snowboard packages available.
The Inside Edge: World-class grooming with excellent base area facilities make it great for families to discover skiing. Contact: Nakiska 1-800-258-7669 | (403) 591-7777 www.skinakiska.com
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Perry Thompson
Location:
LAKE LOUISE Nakiska
THE FACTS
The champagne powder is so spectacular that often the only piece of clothing seen in the pictures is the top of a helmet. The addition of the NEW MOUNT HAIG means there are two mountains which allow intermediate and advanced skiers every type of terrain to play on.
Castle mountain
Acre for acre, no other resort in North America has more exciting terrain than Castle Mountain. Home to the longest continuous fall line (the straightest and steepest path downhill) and some of the most challenging intermediate runs in Canada. It’s a skiers paradise. So grab your gear and experience the unlimited powder “the Castle” is known for.
THE FACTS
Steepest, deepest,
Castle Mountain commands an almost
cult-like following
among snowboarders and skiers alike.
Location:
Pincher Creek, 2.5 hours southwest of Calgary
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Peak: Acreage: Average Snowfall: Snowmaking: Trails: Terrain: Longest Run:
863 m (2,833 ft.) 1410 m (4,630 ft.) 2273 m (7,463 ft.) 1,750 acres 910 cm (360 in.) None 67 Expert 10% Advanced 35% Intermediate 40% Novice 15% 5 km (3.125 miles)
Lifts: 4 chairlifts 1 t-bar 1 handletow Lift Capacity: 4,000 skiers/hour Ski and Snowboard School & Clubs: Wild West Freestyle Club, Westcastle Snowboard Club, skiing and snowboarding schools, private & group lessons. Day Care: Minimum age 18 months.
Accommodation: Choose from local motels, hotels and B&B’s in the surrounding area or the on mountain Ski Lodge & Hostel. A great option for families, groups or longer stays are the on mountain Condos and Chalets with Alberta’s only ski in/ski out accommodation! The Inside Edge: Legendary powder with a casual friendly atmosphere, Castle Mountain boasts the longest continuous fall-line in Canada. Contact: Castle Mountain Resort 1-888-SKI-TONS | (403) 627-5101 www.skicastle.ca
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Only 20 minutes from the alpine town of Jasper in Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin offers over 1,675 acres of powder terrain supported by world-class facilities. The mountain offers 3,000 vertical feet of skiing and snowboarding on natural, dry, Rocky Mountain powder.
THE FACTS Location:
Jasper National Park, 20 minutes from the Jasper town site
Terrain Parks and Pipes: Roger’s Terrain Park with spine, table tops, rollers, jumps, kink rails & c-rails.
Vertical Rise: Base Elevation: Peak: Acreage: Average Snowfall: Trails: Terrain: Longest Run:
915 m (3,000 ft.) 1697 m (5,570 ft.) 2612 m (8,570 ft.) 1675 acres 400 cm (160 in.) 86 trails Expert 20% Advanced 20% Intermediate 30% Novice 30% 5.6 km (3.5 miles)
Snow Sports School: Marmot Basin offers lessons for first-time skiers and snowboarders, high performance clinics, freeride clinics, private lessons and a variety of children’s programs.
Lifts: 2 high-speed quads, 1 quad chair, 1 triple chair, 2 double chairs, 1 t-bar, 1 magic carpet Lift Capacity: 12,150 skiers/hour 15
Day Care: Little Rascals nursery offers care for children 19 months to 6 years of age. Accommodation: From alpine elegance to cozy rustic inns and lodges, there are a number of accommodations to choose from in Jasper. To experience a true ski holiday, enjoy the superb dining, après-ski and spa services available at the various hotels.
The Inside Edge: The Rogers Terrain Park has been moved to “Lift Line” in the lower area of the mountain, making it accessible to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Marmot Basin is a big playground and this winter our new terrain park is bigger and better than ever before. Our state of the art snowmaking system in the lower area allows for improved features and better transitions. Contact: Marmot Basin 1-866-952-3816 | Jasper (780) 852-3816 www.skimarmot.com
The Canadian Rockies Express is
the longest high speed
, quad chairlift in the Canadian Rockies.
Marmot Basin
New for the 2009/2010 ski season is the Canadian Rockies Express high speed quad chairlift. The chairlift opening in November 2009 will change the face of Marmot Basin. With a line speed of 5 metres per second, the new lift will whisk skiers and snowboarders up 2.3 kilometres (1.5 miles) in only 7.5 minutes.
Alberta shines
Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours Connie Arsenault
in the wintertime. Literally.
With day after day of clear blue skies, Alberta is blessed with more sunshine hours than any other province. Canada’s Rocky Mountains are home to two of the most spectacular National Parks in the world: Banff and Jasper. One look and you’ll know why they’re named UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
other activities Guided snowmobile tours: Hop on and prepare to be exhilarated. Otherwise inaccessible wilderness areas now await you.
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Sled dog tours: Discover the thrill of driving a team of Canadian huskies, led by an experienced professional guide. Unique and invigorating, a sled dog trip on a pristine mountain trail will take you back to an era of tradition and legend.
Cross-country skiing: Exercise your body and refresh your spirit with the quiet solitude of a mountain trail.
Canada Olympic Park: WinSport Canada’s Canada Olympic Park (COP) is a multi-purpose competition, training and recreation area for athletes and the general public. Self-guided tours showcase the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ice House, the National Sliding Centre and the 90m Ski Jump Tower. Winter offers alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. COP is also home to one of the world’s largest half pipes and an Olympic bobsleigh track which is available in the winter for public bobsleigh rides. COP is located just 15 minutes from downtown Calgary on Highway #1 west. Every dollar spent at Canada Olympic Park goes directly to supporting Canadian athletes.
Ski Hill Amenities: Daylodge, rentals, food court, slopestyle retail shop, tech shop, eightyeight lounge, night skiing, ski and snowboard school, Source Terrain Park, 22 foot halfpipe, Burton Progression Park and moguls pitch. Vertical Rise: Longest Run: Skiing Terrain: Annual Snowfall: Snowmaking: Lift Capacity:
113m (371 ft) 11600m (5249 ft) 75% novice 25% intermediate 30 cm 95% of skiable terrain 5,400 skiers/hour
Lifts: 1 high-speed quad, 1 quad, and 4 magic carpets Cross-country: 2.5 km of cross-country trails Snowboard: FIS standard half-pipe, terrain park 18
An invitation to
come out and play SkiCanadianRockies.com