Aus and NZ close for skiing……….

The influx of Australians to Canada’s snow-covered slopes is also continuing to rise and the Canadian government has loosened restrictions on Australians who want to work in its ski areas this winter, with William Kernot, MD of Ski Max saying, “After a record-breaking winter last year, when Lake Louise Mountain Resort had its best season for 30 years, the jewel in the Canadian Rockies is planning to open next week.

“Our business to Canada is up 20% and still growing, “said Kernot. “There’s good, early snow in the Canadian Rockies, which will encourage more of our clients to book a holiday to the iconic ski town of Banff.

“Last Year, Norquay, the closest alpine resort to Banff, was the first resort in Canada to open (on November 1) and if the current cool weather continues Norquay may be the first to open again!!”

Ski Norquay, Lake Louise Mountain Resort and Sunshine Village celebrate 30 years of partnership in 2008. It is also Sunshine Village’s 80th anniversary this year. Numerous events will be staged to honour the historic contribution of many of Banff’s great, unique characters.

Lake Louise Mountain Resort has invested in new equipment and continues to upgrade its snowmaking capacity and grooming fleet. Although you wonder does it need snowmaking when it got more than 507cm (17 feet) of snow last winter?

Lake Louise is consistently named one of the most scenic resorts in North America. Its new winter interpretive program includes educational signage throughout the mountain highlighting some of the
wildlife and scenery that makes this part of the world so unique.

The world’s fastest gondola at Sunshine Village, which is only 15 minutes from Banff, plus a new high-speed 8 passenger lift, are just two of the resort’s 12 ski lifts (including seven modern quad chairs – the most in the Canadian Rockies) used by 500,000 skiers and boarders each winter.

Sunshine’s reputation as the resort that’s got the longest season in Canada (stretching from November to the end of May) and very reliable snow is what entices a growing number of snow bunnies to its power-laden slopes.

Exclusive to Sunshine Village in the Canadian Rockies, SlopeTracker is Sunshine’s latest offering for those looking to take their experience to the next level.
Skiers and Snowboarders are fitted with an arm band equipped with upgraded GPS technology which monitors their statistics over the course of the day.

SlopeTracker is capable of calculating such statistics as top speed, number of runs, calories burned and hours spent riding. At the end of the day, users simply return their armband and receive a poster quality, frame ready print out of their day.

Adventurous Sunshine guests are offered Snow Bike rentals including a free introductory lesson. Snow bikes can be easily carried onto any of the lifts and can be rented for a full or a half day. Snow biking is allowed at Sunshine, Norquay and Lake Louise.

Ski Max ‘Cool Deal’

Ski Banff from $2,749 + departure taxes. Package includes return economy flights ex-Sydney to Calgary, return transfers, seven nights accommodation at Swiss Inn (close to the apres ski action in downtown Banff) and a 6 day Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine Tri-area Lift Ticket which allows unlimited use of all lifts at Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Mountain Resort
and one free Friday Night Skiing at Mt. Norquay.

*Add $80 per person for travel ex Brisbane or Melbourne. Book and pay by 15 Nov 07 for travel 1- 15 Feb ’08.

For more details contact Ski Max Qantas Tel 02 9267 1655 or 1300 136 997
Website www.skimax.com.au

A Report by The Mole in wonderful hot Sydney!