What’s New in Banff-Lake Louise for 2010-11

June 10, 2010: BANFF-LAKE LOUISE, Alberta, Canada

There are many exciting developments for 2010-11 at Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village, and in the communities of Banff and Lake Louise.

As we implement them all, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint, increase comfort and convenience, and preserve what Mother Nature has blessed us with. As you read this, remember, more important than the upgrades is what hasn’t changed – and won’t. The Protected beauty of the Canadian Rockies is the same as it was 100 years ago, when skiing started here, and will continue to be for the next 100 years and beyond.

New lift at Sunshine Village continues Olympic legacy

Work began in April on a new Doppelmayr quad chairlift, to replace the Strawberry triple chair at Sunshine Village which, at 35 years old, has reached the end of its service life. The lift was originally used in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Now, in addition to preserving the Olympic legacy for the local community, it will improve the ski and snowboard experience for beginners, offering even more convenient and comfortable access to green and blue runs. The lift will be operational for 2010-11.

The Lake Louise Ski Area joins the Boardercross & Skiercross Circuit

The Lake Louise Ski Area is thrilled to announce that it will be joining the circuit for both boardercross and skiercross during the 2010-11 winter season. With both of these sports being relatively new to Olympic competitions, this is an exciting opportunity to provide locals and guests alike with a place to participate in these sports.

Mt. Norquay is celebrating its 85th anniversary

Mt. Norquay invites all guests to join in celebrating the resort’s 85th anniversary, with many great events planned throughout the season. Known as the locals’ gem, Mt. Norquay is offering children and seniors a full season pass for just $85 (seniors age 65+ available for purchase all season, children age 6-12 available for purchase until June 4).

Just minutes from the town of Banff, Mt. Norquay has been a family tradition since the established area broke ground in 1926, followed by the construction of the ski lodge in 1928. Rope tows followed in 1942 and history was soon made when the mountain installed the area’s first chair lift in 1948, one of the first in Canada.

Our first micro-brewery opens

The Banff Avenue Brewing Co. will be open for 2010-11, making their own beer and cooking up hearty meals and traditional resto-pub fare. The brew pub is perfecting beer varieties that will be enhanced with the glacier-fed waters of Banff-Lake Louise. Brewery tours will also be available for winter 10-11, making this the perfect place for après ski!

West Louise Lodge receives a facelift

Over the summer West Louise Lodge will be revived with a new look. The plans include a fresh coat of paint to the outside, new floors in the main lodge, and upgrades to the bar and exercise room. Plus, there’ll be upgrades to the rooms and improvements to the menu. West Louise Lodge, located 15 minutes from Lake Louise at the summit of the famous Kicking Horse Pass, overlooks the beautiful Wapta Lake. Features include a licensed restaurant, lounge, gift shop and exercise room.

New look for the Banff Aspen Lodge

Renovations to all guestrooms at the Banff Aspen Lodge will be complete in time for the winter. In keeping with being named one of Travelocity’s Top 10 Green Hotels in Canada, the Lodge has now equipped all 89 spacious guestrooms with bio-degradable amenity containers.

More Room to Mingle at Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets

Large groups of families and friends traveling together can now enjoy the same hotel suite which comfortably accommodates up to ten people. Douglas Fir Resort & Chalets has just completed construction of several three bedroom, four bathroom large Family Suites. Every nook and cranny of these two level, 1350 square foot suites has been laid out with the needs of a large group in mind.

Every bedroom has two beds, a 37 inch flat screen cable TV with DVD player and private en-suite bathrooms. The suites offer a full size kitchen, open dining room – with plenty of seating for ten people around the large dining room table, and a private double balcony.

A $10 Million View uncovered at Hidden Ridge Resorts

Banff Lodging Company is giving their guests a whole new reason to get naked in the wilderness. A $10 million renovation at Hidden Ridge Resorts will be complete for 2010-11, including premier king suites with private balconies, a sunken hot tub and breathtaking mountain vistas in every direction.

Hidden Ridge Resorts has also added two large and distinctive hot pools with incredible views, a sauna, and 27 new premier, two bedroom with loft suites offering sleeping for eight with a full kitchen, living room, wood-burning fireplace and beautiful floor to ceiling windows.

With an exciting 2010-11 season ahead of us, we invite you to experience a winter vacation in Canada’s Protected Playground, Banff National Park.

For additional video formats, information, interviews, story ideas or access to high resolution images please contact:

Liz Robins
Public Relations
Email: Liz@SkiBig3.com
Phone: 1-403-760-7742
www.SkiBig3.com
www.BanffSnow.com

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Ski Banff–Lake Louise–Sunshine is Canada’s largest ski destination, a joint venture of three of the world’s finest ski resorts; Mt. Norquay, The Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village. Available on one tri-area lift ticket, our three resorts offer almost 8,000 acres of skiable terrain and one of the longest ski seasons in North America, from mid November to late May, all in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Canada’s Protected Playground, Banff National Park.