Alberta Resorts Offer Many Improvements

The Canadian Rockies are sparkling jewels in the ski world and include such dazzling settings as the little-known Nakiska Ski Area, southeast of Banff. Nakiska is a big mountain with big views into the wilds of the Kananaskis Valley.

The Canadian dollar exchange is favorable for U.S. skiers. As of press time, one U.S. dollar was worth approximately $1.50 Canadian. That means big savings for Americans. For example, a three-night package with three days of lifts at Lake Louise starts as low as $137 U.S. per person, double occupancy. That includes a free shuttle to and from the mountain and hotel, and a free guided tour of the Lake Louise Ski Area.

Skiers can check avalanche conditions in the Canadian Rockies on the Web at www.avalanche.ca. Alberta road conditions can be obtained by calling (403) 471-6056 or going online at www.ama.ab.ca/roadrep/pages/mtn.htm.

Visitors to Banff National Park pay a user fee of about $4 U.S. per day for an individual or $8 per day per group.

Lift ticket and lodging rates are listed in U.S. dollars and may change due to exchange-rate fluctuations.

Nakiska Ski Area

Skiers discover a wealth of activities in Kananaskis, the Valley of Adventure and home of Nakiska Ski Area. Nakiska, at an elevation of 5,000 feet, is the site of some of the events of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.

This resort area of Kananaskis Village offers plenty of activities for families and is a quiet retreat deep in the mountains. The village offers state-of-the-art deluxe accommodations at two modern Delta properties and a Best Western Inn.

Nakiska lift tickets are valid at nearby Fortress, a small ski area about 30 minutes south of Nakiska.

Nakiska has two quad chairs, one triple, one double and one surface lift accessing the 28 named runs and 35 acres of gladed runs on this mountain of 2,400 vertical feet.

Nakiska has mostly intermediate terrain (70 percent) yet the upper mountain’s expert slopes provide challenging runs. Lifts operate daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: about 380 miles north of Spokane. Tickets: adult $28 U.S.; youth (13-17), student (18-25 with ID)/senior, (65+) $24.50; child (6-12) $10. Lessons: group $18.50; private $30.50 an hour. Nordic: nearly 100K at Kananaskis Park; call (403) 591-7555. Snow phone: (403) 244-6665. General information: (403) 591-7777. Reservations:: (800) 258-7669 or (800) 268-1133. E-mail: info@skinakiska.com. Web site: www.skinakiska.com or lodgeatkananaskis.deltahotels.com.

Ski Louise

Skiers and riders found several improvements at Lake Louise when the mountain opened earlier this month. The 4,200-acre resort spreads out over three mountain faces.

A new high-speed quad replaced the Glacier Triple Chair. The quad enhances the lift capacity in the base area. Lake Louise guarantees that skiers will be riding one of the three base-area chair lifts in less than 10 minutes or they can return the lift ticket for a ticket on another day.

Other big changes include a new Super Pipe. This half-pipe on steroids has a 17-foot radius compared to the common 12-foot radius.

The Super Pipe is one feature in The Jungle, the largest terrain park in North America, and only the second pipe of this size in western Canada.

Lifts operate daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: 356 miles from Spokane. Tickets: adult $36 U.S.; student with I.D. (13-25) $28.50; senior (65+) $28.50; child (6-12) $10. Lessons: group $19.50; private $43.75 an hour. Nordic: nearly 100K of trails nearby, free. Snow phone: (403) 762-4SNO. General information: (403) 552-3555. Reservations: (800) 258-7669 or (800) 661-1431. E-mail: info@skilouise.com. Web site: www.skilouise.com or www.skibanfflakelouise.com.

Sunshine Village

After a record-breaking ski season, Sunshine Village ski area near Banff replaced two slow-speed lifts with high-speed quads. The $4 million improvement comes after Sunshine logged 590,000 skier days last winter.

The new Wolverine Express High Speed Quad chair replaces the old Wheeler double chair and reduces ride time from 15 minutes to about 3.7 minutes. The Wolverine Express travels 4,015 feet and provides a vertical drop of 636 feet.

The new Jackrabbit Quad replaces the Fireweed T-bar. The Jackrabbit Quad travels 984 feet and has a vertical rise of 285 feet. The loading zone of the Jackrabbit Quad is nearly 600 feet closer to the village, eliminating the long flat area to the old Fireweed T-bar that had previously been a grueling walk for skiers and snowboarders.

Sunshine is known for its 100 percent natural snow and an average of 400 inches annually. Lifts operate daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: about 350 miles north of Spokane, 7 miles from Banff. Tickets: adult $34.50 U.S.; student (13-25 with ID) $27.50; senior (65+) $27.50; child (6-12) $10; 5 and under free. Lessons: group $17; private $44 an hour. Nordic: nearly 100K of trails nearby, free. Snow phone: (403) 760-7669. General information: (87) SKI-BANFF, (403) 760-5280 or (403) 762-6500. Reservations: (800) 661-1431, www.banffreservations.com. Web site: www.skibanff.com.

Banff Mount Norquay

Banff Mount Norquay offers challenging runs that look steep to skiers as they approach the mountain by road. Four super steep moguled drops can intimidate or thrill skiers headed for Norquay’s original double chair.

The black diamond duo of Upper Lone Pine and Gun Run are as demanding as any trails in the Rockies. Memorial Bowl isn’t a bowl at all but a generous, consistent swath with an average 34-degree pitch that rarely feels the blade of a snowcat.

Friendlier terrain accessed by three other chairlifts provide weather-sheltered beginner and intermediate routes down the mountain.

This year Banff Mount Norquay guarantees the grooming with a money-back promise. With new state-of-the-art grooming equipment, all beginner and intermediate runs are groomed nightly.

Banff Mount Norquay’s first ski runs were cut in 1926, as the pioneer ski resort in Banff National Park. The first chairlift opened in 1948.

This year, the ski area opens Dec. 1. Lifts operate daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: about 350 miles north of Spokane, 6 miles from Banff. Tickets: adult $28 U.S.; student (13-25) $22.50; senior (55+) $22.50; child (12 and under) $10. Lessons: group $20; private $44 an hour. Nordic: nearly 100K of trails nearby, free. Snow phone: (403) 762-4421. General information: (403) 762-4421. Reservations: (800) 661-1431. E-mail: info@banffnorquay.com. Web site: www.banffnorquay.com or www.skibanfflakelouise.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: FAST FACTS Alberta ski deals

Banff and Lake Louise offer early-season ski and accommodation deals. During Super Saver Season through Dec. 18, skiers receive four nights lodging, three days skiing, ski bus shuttles, and round-trip airport transfers for $219 U.S. per person (plus 7 percent tax). (800) 661-1431 or www.skibanfflakelouise.com.

With the favorable dollar exchange rate, skiers may want to try some of Banff’s historic and luxury hotels. Ski packages at the luxurious Rimrock Resort in Banff start at $377 U.S. for three days of skiing and three nights of lodging, available until Dec. 22. The package includes lodging for two, lift tickets good at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Mount Norquay, shuttle to and from the ski areas, and the Rimrock’s fitness and spa and pool. (800) 661-1587.

Banff Norquay offers lodging packages at the Timberline Inn starting at $42 plus tax per person based on double occupancy. Call (877) 762-2281. The package includes an adult lift ticket for Banff Mount Norquay and free transportation to the mountain. The offer is good for the entire ski season except during the Christmas holidays.