SNOW NOTES: Dec. 17

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SUNSHINE VILLAGE

Since the start of the season, Sunshine Village has been going out of its way to constantly update its health and safety protocols to make sure skiers and snowboarders can continue to enjoy vital recreational time out on the mountain this winter. That’s an ongoing process, and with the new provincial restrictions imposed last weekend there are new rules to be aware of. There will be no food and beverage provided at the newly built designated warming stations, for example, but there will be grab-and-go food and drinks available at locations across the resort. Plan on eating outside or in your vehicle, though.

Sunshine will only be loading its gondola with people who arrive at the resort together. Mask use remains mandatory in all indoor facilities and on lifts and in lines.

When you’re actively skiing or snowboarding, though? Well, it’s been a magical season so far. With 25 cm of fresh powder in the past week, the season total now sits at an amazing 348 cm – that’s well above the seasonal average for this time of year.

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www.skibanff.com

@SunshineVillage

LAKE LOUISE

Lake Louise’s guiding principle right now isn’t that complicated: The resort is open for skiing and snowboarding, but not for socializing. That means that while all 10 lifts and 152 of the resort’s 160 runs are ready for guests to explore, there are some strict rules that need to be followed. As you might expect, face masks are required when you’re in outdoor common areas and not actively skiing or snowboarding – this includes on lifts and when you’re in line – and a simple bandana or neck warmer doesn’t cut it when you’re indoors. We’re not allowed indoor dining anywhere in the province, either, so it’s all takeout for now and guests should plan on eating outside or in their vehicles.

The good news – and there’s lots of it – is that there’s already a lot of snow. Lake Louise has been blessed by 13 cm in the last week – with most of it coming in the last 48 hours – and has already been hit with 277 cm so far this season.

www.skilouise.com

@SkiLouise

COP

Every year, WinSport provides vital space for Calgarians to get outside and get some essential exercise. That’s more important now than ever, and the ski hill has been constantly updating its COVID-19 policies so that it can keep guests safe. First and foremost, only passholders are going to be allowed to ski and snowboard, and even then, passholders need to book a time online to arrive.

The regulations are extensive, and WinSport will be closing Progression Park and not allow any foot traffic or in-person gatherings anywhere on the premises. That includes sidewalks, entrances and the parking lot. Guests must also dress for their day at their vehicle and leave personal items there. Lockers are unavailable.

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www.winsport.ca

@Winsport

NAKISKA

This is pretty simple: Nakiska’s normal food service is unavailable until further notice, and the Kananaskis resort’s rental shop is closed until further notice. You need to book your lift ticket online and in advance, and you need to wear a face covering in all indoor spaces and when you’re in line or riding a lift. There’s a lot more to Nakiska’s extensive new COVID-19 protocols, and guests should take time to familiarize themselves with the new rules before visiting. It would be irresponsible not to. The resort’s doing its part to keep everyone safe, but guests need to do theirs, too.

With 12 cm of new snow falling on Nakiska in the past seven days, the season total now sits at 104 cm..

www.skinakiska.com

@SkiNakiska

NORQUAY

From the very first day of the season, you’ve needed to book your lift ticket in advance before visiting Norquay. That’s still true, but while you’re on their website it’s also important to review their extensive COVID-19 protocols. They’re still evolving, and it’s a lot more than just enforcing strict rules about guests being required to wear masks indoors and on lifts.

Since new provincial restrictions last week, Norquay is only offering group lessons to people in the same household, and non-medical masks must be worn during individual lessons. The resort is also limiting its lodge capacity to 15% and anyone who goes in the lodge only has 15 minutes before they need to move on. Food and beverage options are all grab-and-go.

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The Banff resort is enjoying a great start to the season, though, and the 9 cm of fresh powder that fell in the last week has brought the season total to 126 cm.

www.banffnorquay.com

@MtNorquay

MARMOT BASIN

As of now, Marmot Basin is still allowing guests to buy their lift tickets on-site. If you’re driving to Jasper from the Calgary area, though, it makes sense just to buy your tickets in advance and online. That allows you to familiarize yourself with the resort’s COVID-19 protocols, too, which is definitely a good idea before you visit and ski and snowboard area.

All the normal mask requirements are in place in indoor spaces and on lifts – and in lineups. Physical distancing is expected, and capacity at the chalets is limited. There’s no table service available, but there are grab-and-go options that can be eaten outside, at your vehicle or inside chalets, apparently, if physical distancing requiremets are adhered to.

Marmot has seen 10 cm of fresh powder fall in the past week and 200 cm so far this season.

www.skimarmot.com

@MarmotBasin

CASTLE MOUNTAIN

Like everywhere else in Alberta that offers food and beverage options, Castle Mountain can’t allow guests to eat indoors right now. That means that if you’re going to be spending the day at the incredible Southern Alberta resort, you should either pack a lunch or understand that you’ll need to grab food from the Day Lodge or T-Bar Pub and take it to go.

The resort is putting safety first, so as you’d expect, face coverings will be mandatory indoors, when purchasing tickets, in line and while riding lifts and any other areas where people might congregate. The resort isn’t anticipating having to place limits on the number of guests who can visit on any given day, but will be monitoring their daily visits closely and that could change. Buying tickets in advance is advised, to be sure.

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That’s a tonne to be excited about, though. The Powder Stagecoach is still running, for example, and it’s going five days a week. There’s lots of snow, too. The season total is now sitting at 238 cm after 23 cm of fresh powder fell in the last week.

www.skicastle.ca

@SkiCastle

ACROSS THE B.C. BORDER 

While Albertans aren’t technically prohibited from visiting B.C., the provincial government there is discouraging non-essential travel across the B.C.-Alberta border.  

Panorama – Open

Kicking Horse – Open

Fernie – Open

Kimberley – Open

Big White – Open

Revelstoke – Open

Sun Peaks – Open

Silver Star – Open

Whistler-Blackcomb – Open

Red Mountain – TBD

daustin@postmedia.com

www.twitter.com/DannyAustin_9