Mountain mayhem: Alberta and B.C. ski resorts hope 'insane conditions' continue all year

Nobody can remember a start to the winter like this one in Banff.

Sunshine Village had its earliest opening in memory, on Nov. 2, and both Lake Louise and Mount Norquay kicked off their seasons soon after. Then, throughout the month, the snow just kept falling and delivering out-of-this-world, early-season conditions.

Recent snowfall in Calgary has set up Canada Olympic Park nicely for an early-December opening, while Castle Mountain and Nakiska have been hit by recent storms, too.

It’s been an encouraging start to the ski and snowboarding season, to be sure. Just don’t expect anyone in the mountains to start celebrating early and predicting a record-breaking winter.

“I’m superstitious, so I’ll say I’m very hopeful for a very snowy winter,” said Kendra Scurfield, Sunshine Village’s vice-president of brand and communication. “Traditionally, in our world, we see seven-year cycles. I’m hopeful, and I’ve got my ‘Pray for Pow’ candle burning.”

It’s probably smart not to tempt the snow gods, but the reality is that early-season conditions have been encouraging at resorts across Alberta and B.C. Getting as much powder as possible before the busy holiday season brings in big crowds is vital, and so far, Mother Nature has delivered.

“It’s been absolutely unbelievable,” said Sam Hamilton, sales and marketing content supervisor at Lake Louise. “Insane November conditions and insane conditions overall.”

ALBERTA

CANADA OLYMPIC PARK

Adult lift ticket: $82

Opening date: Dec. 5

Day lodge update: Winsport’s Day Lodge has been undergoing a massive transformation over the past couple of years, and while there were early hopes it would be ready for the 2025-26 winter, it won’t be ready for the start of the season. The current hope is that the second floor will open as soon as each area becomes ready, and there are warming areas, washrooms and food vendors in that section.

Keep in mind: Rentals will be available in a separate building at the north end of the parking lot to start the season, and there will be a guest relations trailer. A little patience and careful attention to signage will be beneficial to anyone visiting on busy weekend or holiday days.

Olympic preview: With the Winter Olympics set to kick off in February, Calgarians can get an early viewing of the halfpipe skiers and snowboarders before they head to Italy. The FIS Snowboard Snow Rodeo goes from Dec. 31 to Jan. 2, while the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup goes from Jan. 1 to 3. Calgarians like Amy Fraser are considered frontrunners for the podium next year, and it’s a great chance to cheer them on.

Online: winsport.ca
On X: @winsportcanada

Adult lift ticket: $159.95

Opening date: Dec. 5

Huge change: Castle is putting the final touches on the Stagecoach Express, its first high-speed chairlift and an upgrade that has the potential to transform the Southern Alberta resort. Purchased from Sunshine Village, where the lift was formerly known as the Angel Express, the new chair will add around 25 per cent more lift-accessible terrain to what Castle previously had. It’s the first lift expansion at the resort since 2006 and mostly provides access to black diamond terrain, although there will also be three or four intermediate runs and one beginner run. The hope is that it will be ready to go in January.

Get the card: Castle’s Wonders of Winter Card offers one of the best deals in the Rockies. The card costs $129 and gets you 50 per cent off lift tickets all season. There are no blackout days, and it can be updated to be direct-to-lift so you never need to visit Guest Services again.

Online: skicastle.ca
On X: @skicastle

NAKISKA

Adult lift ticket: $149

Opening date: Nov. 29

Something for everyone: Nakiska is the closest ski resort to Calgary, so it’s a destination for all sorts of alpine enthusiasts. That includes anyone who doesn’t necessarily love skiing or snowboarding. The Wanidu Tube Park is right in the base area and is a great option for families where not everyone wants to hop on a chairlift. As the official training centre for Alpine Canada, Nakiska is the early-season home for many of the athletes who will be representing the country at this February’s Olympics, too.

Easier access: Getting to Nakiska just got easier. The Kananaskis resort announced this week that FlixBus has launched a new direct service from Calgary to various stops in the region, including Nakiska itself. There are pickups at the Calgary International Airport, downtown and Calgary Crowfoot, and you can be dropped off right in the base area.

Get the card: If you’re looking to get out and explore the mountains this winter and not just stick to one resort, the RCR Rockies Card is your move. The card is similar to what’s available at some other resorts in that you get your first, fourth and seventh day free, but the difference is it can be used at Nakiska, Kicking Horse, Kimberley and Fernie. The card goes for $149 and is on sale until Dec. 24.

Online: skinakiska.com
On X: @SkiNakiska

NORQUAY

Adult lift ticket: $139

Opening date: Nov. 8

A big year: It’s Norquay’s 100th anniversary in 2026, and they’ve got big plans to celebrate. The Norquay 100 Vision will hopefully bring some major upgrades to the Banff resort in the coming years, and this year, they have already added a new surface lift, Stoney Carpet, that triples the size of Norquay’s beginner terrain. This season will also see the debut of the Norquay 100 Glades, a new terrain expansion located off the Mystic Chair.

It’s cool: Norquay’s Cool2Carpool days are a truly amazing deal. This year, they go down Jan. 14, Feb. 11 and March 11. The premise is pretty simple. When you carpool with friends, you all split the cost of one lift ticket to get on the hill. You all need to be legally seated with seat belts, of course, and if you take the shuttle from Banff, you’ll only need to pay $30 for your lift ticket.

Get the card: The Big Drop Card gets you truly big savings. For only $79, the Big Drop Card saves you 40 per cent on lift tickets all season long and also secures you 25 per cent off night skiing.

Online: banffnorquay.com
On X: @MtNorquay

SUNSHINE VILLAGE

Adult lift ticket: $169

Opening date: Nov. 2

Early opening, late closing: Sunshine Village was the first resort in Canada to open. It was the earliest opening anyone could remember at the Banff resort, and they had nearly two metres of snow in the upper-mountain by late November. Sunshine was rated as the best Canadian resort in the west by Ski Magazine for 2026. With a season that stretches into late May, there’s a lot of skiing and snowboarding to be done at Sunshine this year.

Your home for the holidays: Whether you’re staying at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge or just visiting for a day, Sunshine Village makes sure everyone gets in the holiday spirit. This year, there will be visits from Santa Claus on Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21, as well as torchlight parades on Dec. 24 and New Year’s Eve.

Super deal: Sunshine’s Super Card doesn’t just get you free days at the Banff resort; it can also be used at both Revelstoke and Marmot Basin. For only $129, you get your first, fourth and seventh visits to the resort or its partners for free, as well as $40 off every other visit.

Online: skibanff.ca
On X: @SunshineVillage

LAKE LOUISE

Adult lift ticket: $155 to $175

Opening date: Nov. 4

A new lift (again): Lake Louise has undergone an incredible transformation over the past five years and has added yet another lift for the upcoming season, the Richardson’s Ride Express. The detachable, high-speed quad transports skiers and snowboarders to five new beginner and intermediate runs alongside some great gladed terrain through the trees. The new 200 acres of terrain will be accessible once the lift opens in January. It joins the Summit Quad, Juniper Express and Pipestone Express Heated Bubble Six-Pack as major infrastructural improvements Lake Louise has made over the past half-decade.

The card to get: The Louise Plus+ Card has been getting skiers and riders on the mountain for years and is back again for the 2025-26 season. It’s a perfect stocking stuffer. For the cost of one lift ticket ($155), the card gives the first, fourth and seventh days on the mountain free, as well as 20 per cent off tickets for every other visit. The card can be used at Castle Mountain, Panorama and Red Mountain, as well.

Holiday Fun: There’s always a ton going on in the Rockies over the Christmas holidays, and Lake Louise is no exception. Santa Claus will be hitting the slopes Dec. 23-25, and there’s a busy New Year’s Eve planned, with Night Snow Tubing, cocktails, a buffet supper, dance party and Champagne Toast, all at the Lodge of the Ten Peaks.

Online: skilouise.com
On X: @skilouise

MARMOT BASIN

Adult lift ticket: $156

Opening date: Nov. 26

More terrain than you might think: While Marmot Basin is rightfully famous for its family-friendly layout and terrain, there’s more high-alpine, expert skiing and riding than its reputation might suggest. Over the past half-decade or so, the Jasper resort opened the massive Tres Hombres area and a new chairlift, the Knob Quad Chair, which provides easy access to some amazing big mountain terrain. Anyone who hasn’t visited in a while may be surprised by the challenges that Marmot offers.

Kids ski free: There are lots of great deals at ski resorts in the Rockies this winter, but this one might be the best of the bunch. Until Dec. 19, kids 12 and under get free lift tickets, rentals and even a free breakfast at Marmot Basin. The deal takes a break for the holidays but mostly returns on Jan. 5, when kids get free lift tickets and rentals on weekdays until the end of the season. There’s a great Family Package, too, with two adult lift tickets and two tickets for kids 17 and younger going for $329.

Great time to Escape: The Marmot Escape Card offers incredible value for skiers. The idea is simple: Buy the card for $109, and you’ll receive 50 per cent off every lift ticket you receive all season long. The savings add up quickly, and with no blackout dates, it’s worth buying even if you’re only planning on a short trip up to Jasper for a few days on the mountain.

Online: skimarmot.com
On X: @MarmotBasin

See next page for all the details on B.C. resorts.