Marmot Basin

Located in Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rocky Mountains lies a beautiful, snow-filled paradise. Marmot Basin is only 19 kilometers from the town of Jasper, AB and promises to leave lasting memories. It has two high speed quad chairs, one fixed grip quad chair, one triple chair, two double chairs, one T-bar and one magic carpet, bringing their total lift count to 8. There is 1675 acres of skiing at Marmot Basin with a total of 86 trails that break down into 30% Novice, 30% Intermediate, 20% Advanced and 20% Expert.

Marmot Basin caters to every age and ability of athlete whether you’re hitting the slopes for the first time or you’re a seasoned veteran. There are 4 distinct areas of the mountain that are laid out in a manner that makes it easy to navigate so you can go from steep alpine bowls to cruisers to glade skiing all within 1 or 2 chairlift rides. If you haven’t had the chance to visit Marmot Basin you should do it soon, you’ll be glad you did.

What’s new at Marmot Basin

New this season is the Canadian Rockies Express lift. It is the longest high speed quad chair in the Alberta Canadian Rockies and it gets you to the top of the upper area in only 7.5 minutes! The lift accesses novice, intermediate and advanced terrain so skiers of all abilities can take advantage of it. The lift is 2.3 km long, has a vertical rise of 596 metres and provides a 4 km non-stop run!

This winter in particular has been an amazing season for snowfall at Marmot. They received record breaking amounts of snow in November and their total snowfall to date is already over 400 cms! They also had their earliest opening in history, opening their doors on November 11th, 2009.

What you may not know about Marmot Basin

Marmot Basin is committed to environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of Jasper National Park. Their mandate is to have minimal impact on the environment and to reduce, reuse and recycle whenever possible. They were also awarded the Jasper National Park Heritage Stewardship Award in 2004 and continue to strive for environmental excellence.

There are always tons of events going on at Marmot Basin throughout the winter months. From alpine races to terrain park competitions, there is always something happening to keep you entertained. On Saturday, April 3rd, Canadian Olympic medalist Jenn Heil will be at Marmot! Meet her at mid-mountain, get her autograph and go for a run with a Canadian Olympic hero! For more information on events at Marmot Basin click here.

Marmot has a terrain park! With a wide variety of rails, jumps and boxes to choose from, the Rogers terrain park at Marmot is sure to keep you busy no matter what your age or ability.

Top 5 reasons to visit Marmot Basin

1. Family Friendly

Skiers and riders of all abilities love Marmot Basin, but families in particular are fond of this mountain. The terrain is easy to navigate, the slopes are un-crowded, the atmosphere is very relaxed and they offer a wide variety of lessons and programs.

2. Convenience

Marmot Basin keeps things simple by incorporating the majority of their amenities within the same building. The Caribou Chalet plays host to the ticket centre, guest services desk, snow sports school, Little Rascals Nursery, rental shop, retail shop and group sales which provides guests with a one-stop-shop that is easy and convenient.

3. Scenery

It is tough to match the beauty and ruggedness of Jasper’s Rocky Mountain scenery. Every lift on the mountain incorporates a different view of the National Park’s splendor and the overall uniqueness of this resort is truly breathtaking.

4. Variety

With 4 distinct regions all within one ski area, Marmot offers a ton of terrain for all abilities of skier or snowboarder. You will also find a novice, intermediate and expert trails leading from the top of every lift which makes its diversity tough to compete with.

5. Comfort

Compared to other large resorts in North America, Marmot Basin seldom has to deal with huge crowds of people. There is so much terrain here that you will spend way less time in line-ups and more time out on the slopes.

For more information on Marmot Basin, visit their website at http://www.skimarmot.com/home.html.

Congratulations to Caroline Sledz who was our Go Big! Contest winner and took home a pair of lift tickets to Marmot Basin. Want a chance to win a set of his and her skis and a $1000 shopping spree? Click here!



Big thank you to the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre, Jasper for providing my accommodations during my visit to Marmot Basin.



Also a big thank you to Avalanche Ski Wear for their contributions to our marketing initiative.



To view more pictures of Marmot Basin become a fan of Ski Alberta on Facebook.

Lake Louise Ski Area

The Lake Louise Ski Area (LLSA) is located about 2 hours from Calgary in beautiful Lake Louise, AB. It is one of the largest ski areas in North America with over 4,200 skiable acres and 3,250 feet of vertical! They have a total of 9 lifts including 1 express gondola, 1 6-pack express, 3 quad chairs, 1 triple chair, 1 expert platter, 1 T-bar and 1 magic carpet. There are 139 marked trails at LLSA plus the bowls along the back of the mountain. Their terrain is vast and varied with a breakdown of 25% beginner, 45% intermediate and 30% expert. Click here to see trail maps for LLSA.

There is something for everyone at this resort. Beginners and intermediate skiers can enjoy the gentle slopes and long cruising runs while experts can explore more challenging terrain through the endless chutes, glades, gullies and remote bowls. LLSA also provides amazing scenery and spectacular views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains at every turn.

What you may not know about Lake Louise Ski Area

Skiing at such a large mountain can be quite intimidating, especially if you have never been there before and don’t know your way around. Operators at LLSA are aware of this and have implemented a program called “Ski Friends” which provides complimentary guided tours of the mountain to the public. “Ski Friends” runs daily at 10am and 1:15pm.

There are at least one green, blue and black run leading from the top of every chairlift at LLSA. This is great for beginner and intermediate skiers since they don’t have to be worried about getting to the top of a chair and having to head down terrain that is too difficult for them. Skiers can relax and hop onto any lift knowing that they will be able to find terrain that is suitable to their ability on the way down.

The LLSA consistently gets early snowfalls and dependable temperatures and is always one of the first to open in North America and last to close. Their ski season usually runs from early November until early May, a full 6 months!

What’s new at Lake Louise Ski Area

As part of LLSA’s commitment to exceptional customer service, they have reduced their season ticket rates for the 2009-2010 season by 15%. They also keep their daily lift ticket prices the same for every day of the season, no more holiday peak pricing!

The LLSA was awarded the WestJet Up! Magazine 2009 Value Award. Value awards are chosen by thousands of Up! Readers and the award is given to destinations that provide the best combinations of unique and high quality experiences with excellent value.

Top 5 reasons to visit Lake Louise Ski Area

1. 3 distinct day lodges

LLSA has 3 day lodges and 7 food/beverage options. The day lodges are located strategically throughout the ski area, so food and shelter are always close by.

2. Amazing scenery

There are spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains everywhere you look. LLSA is consistently voted #1 in the world for its rugged beauty.

3. Lift capacity

There are nine lifts at Louise, seven of which provide at vertical drop of at least 1,230 vertical feet. As a result, you’ll spend more time on the snow and less time in line-ups!

4. Something for everyone

LLSA caters to all ages and abilities with novice, intermediate and advanced runs leading from every chair. This enables families and groups of varying levels to enjoy the whole mountain together. They also have a great learn to ski area as well as a terrain park with tons of features for all abilities.

5. Events

There are always tons of events going on at LLSA from torchlight dinners to rails jams to spring music sessions. These events are ongoing throughout the season and contribute extensively to the overall experience of what LLSA has to offer. Click here to see an events calendar for Louise.

For more information on the Lake Louise Ski Area, visit their website at http://www.skilouise.com/

Congratulations to Peter Lauch who was our Go Big! Contest winner and took home a pair of lift tickets to Lake Louise Ski Area. Want a chance to win a set of his and her skis and a $1000 shopping spree? Click here!



Also a big thank you to Avalanche Ski Wear for their contributions to our marketing initiative.



To view more pictures of the Lake Louise Ski Area become a fan of Ski Alberta on Facebook.

Nakiska

Located only 1 hour from Calgary, AB, Nakiska is nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in beautiful Kananaskis country. It has 3 high speed quad chairs, 1 fixed grip double chair and 2 magic carpets (one of which is the longest in Alberta!). Nakiska boasts 2,555 feet of vertical and a total of 64 marked trails that break down into 16% beginner, 70% intermediate and 14% advanced.

Nakiska was home to the 1988 Winter Olympic Alpine events and today, skiers and snowboarders can enjoy Olympic-length runs that are groomed to perfection. It is a family friendly resort with a gentle learn-to-ski area and an awesome ski school. Nakiska hosts the largest ski club in Alberta and many of our Canadian Olympic athletes train here as well. They also play host to numerous school groups in the surrounding area which provides a great opportunity to get our children and youth out of the slopes.

What you may not know about Nakiska

Nakiska has some of the longest, best groomed runs in Alberta. They provide seamless corduroy grooming which are great for cruisers that wants to work on their turns. Click here to see a trail map of Nakiska.

Nakiska is the official training facility for Alpine Canada. Many of our Canadian athletes that participated in the 2010 games in Vancouver train at Nakiska on a full time basis.

They are hosting the Canadian National Championships from March 22-28. Olympic caliber athletes from all over the world will be competing in this event.

What’s new at Nakiska?

New this year at Nakiska is the Gold Chair Express Lift. This lift replaces the old fixed grip triple chair and gets you up to the top in less than 5 minutes! Click here for more info on the Gold Chair Express Lift.

This year Nakisa has undergone numerous trail improvements which has enhanced the skiing experience for guests and created vital training conditions for ski racers. They also created the “Monster Glades” area which provides more access to gladed terrain with the widening of trails and increased runs in the trees. Click here for more info on trail improvements.

Nakiska’s snowmaking abilities have been enhanced by 40%. They are aiming to provide more snow coverage in variable snow conditions during early season than ever before. They now have the largest snowmaking system in Alberta with a total of 160 snowmaking guns! Click here for some stats on snowmaking at Nakiska.

The day lodge and mid-mountain lodge have undergone several renovations which improve visit quality for guests. The day lodge has a new roof, deck, washrooms and floors while the Finish Line Lounge upstairs has been completely refurbished with new flat screen tv’s, chairs and tables.

Top 5 reasons to visit Nakiska

1. Scenery

It doesn’t get any more beautiful than Alberta’s Kananaskis country. Nakiska provides breathtaking views of the Rocky Mountains whether you are in the village, riding up the chair or at the top of the mountain.

2. Proximity

Nakiska is Calgary’s closest mountain resort. At 83 kilometers from Calgary’s city limits, it is less than an hour’s drive away. Simply head west on Hwy 1, then south on Hwy 40 and you’ll be enjoying the slopes in no time. Click here for directions to Nakiska.

3. Ski School

Nakiska offers a wide range of ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities. They have group and private lessons, learn to ski programs and have even incorporated multi-week programs for the 2009/2010 season. For more information on Nakiska’s Ski School, click here.

4. Events

There are always tons of events going on at Nakiska. From Olympic caliber events to ladies day ski trips to spring fiestas, Nakiska provides great events and entertainment for all ages. Click here to see an events calendar for Nakiska.

5. Ski and stay packages

Nakiska offers a wide variety of ski and stay packages. They have heli tours, family packages, reduced lifts and a wide variety of hotels and accommodations to choose from. Click here to see what Nakiska has offer and book your ski getaway now!

Congratulations to Vladimir Alexeev who was our Go Big! Contest winner and took home a pair of lift tickets to Nakiska. Want a chance to win a set of his and her skis and a $1000 shopping spree? Click here!



Also a big thank you to Avalanche Ski Wear for their contributions to our marketing initiative.



To view more pictures of the Nakiska become a fan of Ski Alberta on Facebook.

TawatinawValley

The hill at Tawatinaw Valley is located only 1 hour north of Edmonton and spreads over 140 scenic acres. It has 3 T-bars, 1 rope tow and 24 trails for all ages and abilities. The breakdown of the terrain is 30% green, 55% blue and 15% black which accommodates beginner and advanced skiers alike. Click here to see a trail map of Tawatinaw Valley. It was established in 1967 for Canada’s Centennial and has remained in operation ever since. Over the last 40 years, the hill has undergone some major expansions to meet the needs of snow enthusiasts.

Tawatinaw Valley caters to every ability of skier and snowboarder and is a great place for families to spend the day. They have gullies, ravines, open hills and gentle slopes which provide a wide variety for guests to enjoy. They also have a large, wide open bunny hill with a rope which provides beginners with a comfortable atmosphere to learn in.

What you may not know about Tawatinaw Valley

Tawatinaw Valley’s hours of operation are weekends and holidays from 10-4pm but they also take school programs in during the week. When large school programs come in, they often open up the hill to the public as well. For more information on School programs and hours of operation click here.

Just because you’re not seeing snow on the hills in town doesn’t mean you can’t come out for a ski! Tawatinaw Valley has an elaborate snow making system which enables them to stay open long after the snow has stopped falling. For current snow conditions at Tawatinaw click here.

They have a huge terrain park and superpipe! For those who love the freestyle scene, Tawatinaw Valley is a dream come true. They have a large terrain park with tons of rails, boxes and jumps that tailor to all ages and abilities and they also have a massive superpipe which is 1 of only 2 superpipes found in Alberta!

Ski for Free! As of March 1, if you purchase next year’s seasons pass you can ski for free for the rest of this season! For more details on this promotion or to purchase your seasons pass click here.

Top 5 reasons to visit Tawatinaw Valley

1. Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Tawatinaw Valley is truly remarkable. Everybody knows each other by name and it is easy to see that they are a tightly knit community. The staff here are friendly and super passionate about providing positive customer experiences to guests. Parents feel comfortable dropping their kids off here for the day knowing that they will be in good hands which compliments the reliability of the staff and members of the community.

2. Terrain Park & Superpipe

The terrain park and superpipe at Tawatinaw Valley are a huge attraction and it is easy to see just how popular they are when you’re out on the hill. Tons of people simply ride back and forth from the T-bar to the park hitting jumps, rails and boxes all day long. The superpipe has also become a popular spot since it is 1 of only 2 superpipes in Alberta!

3. Events

Tawatinaw Valley hosts numerous events throughout the winter ranging from Family Day races to alpine races to slopestyle events. If you haven’t had the chance to check any out, click here for info on upcoming events.

4. Cross Country Trails

There are 25 km’s of scenic cross country terrain at Tawatinaw Valley and they accommodate both classic and skate style skiing. The cross country trails can be accessed via the upper parking lot but be sure to first stop by the ski centre to purchase your day or seasons pass. For more info on X-country skiing at Tawatinaw Valley click here.

5. Ski School

Certified instructors at Tawatinaw Valley provide both skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ages and abilities. You can choose between group or private lessons or even sign up for a Discover Skiing/Snowboarding package. The Discover programs include a lift ticket, full rentals and an hour lesson with an instructor. Click here for more information on the Tawatinaw Valley Ski School.

Congratulations to Colby Hansen who was our Go Big! Contest winner and took home a pair of lift tickets to Tawatinaw Valley. Want a chance to win a set of his and her skis and a $1000 shopping spree? Click here!



Also a big thank you to Avalanche Ski Wear for their contributions to our marketing initiative.



To view more pictures of the Tawatinaw Valley become a fan of Ski Alberta on Facebook.

Fairview Ski Hill

The ski hill at Fairview has a vast variety of terrain and is easily accessible to residents of Northern Alberta. The hill is only a 20 minute drive from the town of Fairview and only a 1 ½ hour drive from Grande Prairie. It has a total of 4 lifts including 1 Tbar, 2 platter lifts and 1 rope tow. Its vertical feet totals at 505 ft. and they have 15 trails that accommodate every ability of skier or snowboarder.

Fairview ski hill is managed by a board of directors and has huge support from the local community and community businesses. It has seen generation after generation learn to ski at this resort and later on end up coming out to help out with hill management. Their most frequent guests are residents from local towns such as Fairview, Hines Creek, Rycroft, Spirit River and the many local farming communities. They cater mostly to local families but also tailor their hours and operations to the schedules of local schools.

What you may not know about Fairview Ski Hill

The Fairview ski hill’s hours of operation are Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-7pm but it is also open on Wednesday nights from 6-9pm for night skiing. They also open up the ski hill on days when local school kids have the day off so they can come out and enjoy a day on the slopes.

Every family day weekend, the ski hill holds a wide variety of events for the public to enjoy. They have races that are divided into age groups and categories and it is their busiest day of the year. Make sure to come check it out next Family Day Weekend!

Top 5 reasons to visit Fairview Ski Hill

1. Terrain Park

This year the terrain park at Fairview has been expanded in a huge way. They have about 10 features which include a variety of jumps and rails that range from beginner to expert ability. It is a great park for freestyle enthusiasts but remember that helmets are mandatory when riding in the park.

2. Atmoshpere

This hill is extremely community oriented and it is obvious that they are a tightly knit community. Parents often drop their kids off here for the day knowing that their children are in good hands and are safe to spend the day on their own.

3. Variety

There is a wide variety of terrain here that is ideal for any age and ability. They have a great bunny hill with a rope tow that makes learning to ski or snowboard very comfortable. The runs leading off the platter lifts are ideal for the intermediate athlete and they even have some steep, aggressive runs off of the Tbar that cater to the advanced.

4. Amenities

The Fairview ski hill has everything you would need for an enjoyable day on the slopes. They have a full rental shop for those who don’t have their own gear and a cafeteria with great prices and a wide variety of lunch time choices. There are also lessons available if you’d like to polish up your skills or want to learn for the first time.

5. Scenery

From the top of the Fairview ski hill you can enjoy some breathtaking views of the Peace Country and the Dunvegan Valley. On a sunny day you can see for miles making it a great destination ski area in Northern Alberta.

Congratulations to Joe Tye who was our Go Big! Contest winner and took home a pair of lift tickets to Fairview Ski Hill. Want a chance to win a set of his and her skis and a $1000 shopping spree? Click here!



Big thanks to Quality Inn Grande Prairie for providing my accommodations during my visit to Fairview Ski Hill.



Also a big thank you to Avalanche Ski Wear for their contributions to our marketing initiative.



For more information on the Fairview Ski Hill, check out their website at www.skifairview.com.

To view more pictures of the Fairview Ski Hill become a fan of Ski Alberta on Facebook.