BANFF, Alberta, Canada – Sunshine Village is opening this Friday November 14th at 9am, with more open terrain than any resort in North America!

Great early season conditions mean over 30 runs will be available to skiers and riders, covered in 100 per cent natural snow. With most of the resort above 7,000 feet, Sunshine Village has been blanketed with the recent snowfall on Canada’s Protected Playground, Banff National Park.

The most terrain in North America will be accessible by the eight passenger high-speed Gondola, Standish express high

speed quad chair, Wawa quad chair, Strawberry triple chair and two magic carpets. The Gondola will be opening at 8am, Strawberry at 9am, and Standish and Wawa shortly after midday.

A natural base of over half a metre has enabled Sunshine Village to open one day earlier than last year with more terrain than any other resort in North America. The three resorts of Banff National Park; Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village, enjoyed another 14cms of snow in the last 24 hours.

After the openings of Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise Ski Area last Saturday, 8th November, Sunshine Village completes the season start for three of the world’s finest ski resorts. With more winter weather in the forecast, almost 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and 274 runs will be available soon. All resorts are offering discounted lift tickets to help skiers and riders get the first runs for less. Please see the rates below.

“We’re very excited that Sunshine Village has joined Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise in kicking off what will surely be a great winter,” said Dan Markham of Ski Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine. “The snow keeps dumping in Banff National Park and conditions keep improving. Now’s the time to get out here and enjoy the early season snow. With great early season packages available, ski and stay free at three of the world’s finest ski resorts!””

Mt. Norquay’s opening this week, earlier than predicted, was welcomed by snow-lovers eager to get their first tracks of the season. The resort will be open for weekends only while staff prepare for full opening on 5th December.

Lake Louise Ski Area, Canada’s largest single ski resort, also opened this week with a strong turn-out. This season will see the return of the Terrain Park, featuring approximately 15 rails and five man-made moderate jumps, as soon as Mother Nature permits.

Sunshine Village is renowned for its lengthy season, from mid November to late May, with an average annual natural snowfall of over 30 feet! As Canada’s highest elevated ski resort, it offers endless mountain terrain for adrenaline addicts and novices alike, in the heart of an unspoiled wilderness, and the novel opportunity to ski or ride in both the province of Alberta and British Columbia on the same run.

Early Season Lift Ticket Prices:

Mt Norquay

$20 for adults, $10 for 6-12 year olds, free for 5 year olds and under.

Lake Louise Ski Area

Full day - $38.00 for adults, $26.40 for seniors and youth, $12.50 for children.

Half day - $30.75 for adults, $21.00 for seniors and youth, $10.00 for children.

Lake Louise Card holders - $25.00, without having to use their first free day.

Sunshine Village

Full day - $55.95 for adults, $51.67 for seniors, $43.81 for youth, $19.95 for children.

Half day - $51.67 for adults.