What’s New at the Hills: Hi-Tech Meets More Fun

Whatever Alberta ski hill you visit, if you are getting back into skiing, you are going to find changes for the better.

We can’t list every improvement on every hill (you’d spend more time reading than skiing). So we’ve chosen five big changes that you’ll likely find wherever you go in the province.

With more than 30 ski hills to choose from (six of them major resorts), you have plenty of opportunity to discover these changes hands-on.

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More Snow, More Snow Making, More Terrain

Improvement is the name of the game for ski areas in Alberta.

It’s not just about adding more territory and terrain. It’s also about enhancing your ski experience. You’ve got more runs to choose from, more facilities for dining and lodging, and a more seamless, hassle-free trip from the parking lot to the top of the hills.

There is new snow making and grooming equipment, along with new lifts and access to places that you just couldn’t get to before. The technology for making the hills more inviting has improved along with Alberta’s varied terrain, awesome scenery and naturally dry, fluffy snow.

Castle Mountain Resort in the province’s southwest, less than three hours from Calgary near Pincher Creek, is an excellent example of these advancements. Castle has opened Mount Haig, which provides nine new runs that are accessible from a new triple chair, called the Huckleberry. The new terrain is geared more to intermediate level and beginners (Castle has long been a favourite destination for expert and extreme skiers). The choice of runs has been expanded to 70. The Huckleberry lift gets adventurous skiers nearer to extreme terrain And there is a terrain park with rails and ramps, and a restaurant, along with 22 new condos.

Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Canada Olympic Park in Calgary and Marmot Basin in Jasper National Park are just a handful of the Alberta ski areas that have invested in new snow making equipment and enhanced grooming, providing for earlier seasons and pleasant skiing throughout the season.

Chair Lifts, Gondolas and Magic Carpets

You are going to discover some improvements in how you get from the bottom of the hill to the top ¬– and even some easier ways to get from the parking lot!

Rope tows, that have long been the main way for beginners to get to the top of the so-called bunny or green or starter hill, are being phased out. While you’ll still find them at some hills, they are being replaced by ‘magic carpets’, which are much like the walking tracks you find at airports. You just step onto them with your skis and there’s nothing that you need to hold onto, you just glide up the hill, and then step off at the top. It’s that easy. If you’ve been to Sunshine Village, you know that in the past it was a bit of a trip from the parking lot to the facility where you can purchase tickets and then take the gondola up the mountain. Now, two additional shuttle vehicles will make that trip from the parking lot much easier and quicker.

Speaking of gondolas, Lake Louise Mountain Resort added the Grizzly Express Gondola last year, taking skiers from the base area up to alpine terrain and the front side of the top of Ptarmigan, providing quick access to the backside. It’s about a nine minute ride, and the lift is about 10,000 ft. with a 2,424 ft. vertical.

You’ll find chair lifts move more people, faster, with a nicer ride. If you’re getting back into skiing, a resort such as Nakiska (less than an hour west of Calgary) is laid out so that you literally work your way up. The bronze chair is specific to beginners, the silver chair primarily for intermediates and the gold chair has steeper, more difficult terrain and some glades.

Terrain Parks: Ride ‘em Cowboy

With the advent of snowboarding, many ski areas have added Terrain Parks to their repertoire of choices for skiers.

Terrain Parks come in many sizes and provide many shapes as challenges, but something that is common at most is rails. Riding a rail means jumping up on your skies and sliding over it, across it, down it, whatever you can do, somewhat similar to a stair banister.

Hidden Valley at Medicine Hat is just one of many Alberta ski areas that feature rails.

“If you are coming back as an adult skier, this is something more technical for you and it adds a certain edge to the skiing experience,” says Hidden Valley area manager Kevin Fischer. “Snowboarding has been a breath of fresh air for skiers.”

Shaped Skis, Helmets and Hi-Tech Clothing

Returning to skiing will bring you face to face on any ski hill with big changes in equipment, gear and clothing.

If you are still skiing using straight skis, you may get some looks or comments when on the lift. Why? You don’t need to buy shaped skis, but know that the majority of skiers now have shaped skis that enable them to ski more with less effort. Instead of pivoting on your skis, you will ski more on your edges. You’ll see a lot of people on the hill wearing helmets now, especially kids. There is an emphasis on safety and helmets provide obvious protection for the noggin. They come in all kinds of shapes and colours, and you can even get helmets that hook up to your iPod or other audio device.

There have been major improvements in ski clothing, particularly in the area of hi-tech outerwear. You will discover ski stores are selling thinner jackets or shells that are lighter, breathe better and allow heat generated by your body to escape, providing you with more comfort.

Women’s Equipment and Women’s Ski Programs

The ski industry is looking to provide a more individualized experience for every skier and this development has spawned the relatively new woman’s ski. Elan is just one manufacturer of women’s lines that you find in retail sports and ski stores.

This shaped ski and binding system recognizes a woman’s centre of gravity, which is different than a man’s. Almost every ski designer and manufacturer now offer a line of skis specifically for women. And you’ll find cool colours that you can match to your outfit.

If you’re a woman getting back into skiing, this is a great time to renew your love of the sport. Along with women’s skis and binding systems are ski programs, camps and lessons geared to women’s interests. The Salomon Women Will – Live Your Dream! program at Sunshine Village is one good example. Just ask for women’s programs or lessons at whatever ski area you visit.