Banff (AB), Canada – It might only be August, but some of us are already daydreaming about shredding the slopes. Here is an exclusive look at the upcoming 2012-13 ski season at Alberta’s Mt. Norquay, Lake Louise Ski Area and Sunshine Village.

Located in  Banff’s back yard, Mt. Norquay will launch this winter with some big changes. Taking steps to open up the historically challenging mountain to beginner skiers and snowboarders, Mt. Norquay has introduced a loading conveyor on its already improved Spirit Chair. Aimed at providing greater terrain access for beginners and improved safety for all skiers, the loading conveyor provides riders with easy chair access and a much faster ride up the mountain by reducing the lift’s stops and starts by more than 50 percent.

With new lanes, new lifts and improved slopes, Mt. Norquay’s Tube Park is back for another season as well. Plans to double the amount of tubing lanes will kick snow tubing into the next gear this winter.

Lake Louise presents its new Base Area Play Zone this winter catering to all abilities. First up is the big air Bag Jump. Designed by professional snowboarders, engineers and Hollywood stuntmen, the Bag Jump is for expert skiers and snowboarders who want to catch some serious air on the slope this season with an added margin of safety. This full-time installation allows guests to safely perfect their Double Rodeos and Triple Corks without stressing about landing them.

For those more inclined to keep their feet on the ground, Lake Louise will open a brand new Tube Park this winter in the Base Area Play Zone, the second of its kind to the area after Mt. Norquay’s facility.

Along with the Bag Jump and Tube Park, Lake Louise will open a brand new Learning & Adventure Centre this season as well. This includes a revamped beginners and kids area, with two new magic carpets for easy access for beginners of all ages.

During a full day on the mountain, you need time to fuel up. Time and effort is being spent by Sunshine Village in expanding and improving that Banff-area ski resort’s food and beverage services. The addition of a smoke house to Mad Trapper’s Saloon will expand Sunshine Village’s menu offerings, while the introduction of a Vietnamese Pho café in the Daylodge will provide a fresh, hot and healthy alternative to the usual ski lodge lunch. Look also for a very European creperie to appear at Sunshine Village this season.

Rub shoulders with the stars on the slopes as the annual Waterkeeper Alliance Celebrity Event makes its return to Sunshine Village in January. With previous celebrities including Alec Baldwin, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Waterkeeper’s own Robert F. Kennedy, you have another chance to show off your style in front of the famous faces, all for a good cause.

Not interested in skiing? Experience Banff’s area ski resorts this season without having to hurtle back down the mountainside with the new C$39.95 Tri-Area Sightseeing Pass. The pass includes a round trip on Lake Louise’s Grizzly Express gondola, a cruise on the high-speed gondola to Sunshine Daylodge and on the resort’s Angel Express Chair, and a ride on the same chairlift route that Marilyn Monroe took to Mt. Norquay’s historic Teahouse. It also includes transportation on the ski shuttle bus to all three resorts as well as a $12 food voucher, valid at any of the food outlets at each ski resort.