Why Ski? Top 10 Reasons to Ski
1. The 2007/8 Season Already Has Great Snow
You’ve picked a good time to get back into skiing. Dumps of snow in the Canadian Rockies enabled Ski Banff @ Norquay to open a chair in early November, making it the first resort in Canada to do so this year. Marmot Basin 
in Jasper National Park opened early (and their recently advanced snow-making abilities have definitely improved how much white stuff is on the mountain). Sunshine Village (Banff) and Lake Louise Mountain Resort are smothered with new snow. “The ski resorts are kick starting their seasons on a high note!” says Nancy. Other resorts are all on track to open for a great winter season in Alberta!
2. World Class Facilities in Your Backyard
Whether you live right in Alberta or in a neighboring province, you know that people travel from around the planet to enjoy Alberta ski resorts. There are more than 30 ski hills in Alberta, all of them modern and many with new upgrades. One of them is close to you.
3. Inspiring (and Varied) Scenery
“One thing that hasn’t changed is the beautiful scenery,” says Paula. Lake Louise Mountain Resort is consistently voted by top ski magazines as one of the most scenic resorts in the world. But there are so many other vistas to choose from in Alberta that you simply can’t go wrong. The Peace River area in the north has a boreal beauty you don’t find elsewhere and Misery Mountain gives you a peak view. No matter which resort you choose to go to, the scenic natural beauty can astound you and leave you in awe of Mother Nature. .JPG)
4. Fun Fitness
If you’re going to get in shape (or stay fit), then why not do it while having fun? You know skiing can be a blast. And with issues like childhood obesity in the headlines these days, this is a great way to get others on track while enjoying the great Alberta outdoors, says Kevin. “I appreciate the exploration and the experience of the fresh air, as well as the activity and the challenge,” says Lori.
Skiing is a sport where instead of sitting in the stands to watch your kids play, you can be out there experiencing the fun with them, says Rob. His kids got him skiing again and he enjoys it because they can all go at their own speeds, and choose the runs that suit them best. You get family time in the car to and from the hills and can meet up for lunch or dinner.
Alberta ski hills and lodging are very price competitive. Take note this year of the Discover Skiing Program offered at many hills, which provides in one easy package a lesson, lift ticket and equipment rental. Just ask for it. Also, the Travel Alberta Holiday Card gives you access to special offers and travel experiences, and if you don’t have one, you can get one for free.
7. Equipment Improvements Makes Skiing Easiest Yet!
If you haven’t skied yet on shaped skis, then you’ve got to try them. It takes half the effort to ski twice as long – really. And improvements in boots (more flexible, better fitting, and warmer) make the experience of skiing that much more fun with far less hassle. It’s easier than ever to get out there and enjoy the sport, says Rob.
8. Meet New and Old Friends
There are so many shuttle and bus services to Alberta ski hills, it’s a great opportunity to meet some new friends or hook up with current ones. Smaller ski hills offer a chance to ski with neighbors and their kids, so it becomes a community focus, as in Medicine Hat or Peace River. There are ski clubs throughout the province that get you out with like minded people who are often at the same skill level. For an annual fun outing, some families plan a week-long ski resort holiday at Christmas, New Year’s, or in the spring.
9. New Challenges
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Skiing has changed in the past few years, offering new challenges for skiers. One challenge is adjusting to the incorporation of snowboarding on the hills, and attempting to snowboard. A lot of parents are driven to try snowboarding with their kids. Due to the popularity of snowboarding, Terrain Parks have been introduced at most ski hills. Most of these parks have rails, which can be used by both boarders and skiers. This is a fun, new hurdle for skiers, and it’s just one of many new challenges as the sport widens to include more tricks and participants.
10. Technical Advancements = More Terrain
Improvements in snow-making equipment and grooming mean there is more varied terrain available to you as a skier. Most of the ski areas in Alberta have already (or are in the process of) stepping up their capabilities to provide new or expanded terrain for beginners and intermediate. They’re also concerned with increasing access to challenging areas for experts and extreme skiers. Overall, it’s all about providing you, your family and friends with more choices.
