Banff (AB), Canada – Alberta’s Lake Louise and Mt. Norquay ski areas will tomorrow once again be among the first ski resorts to open in North America

“We have all heard the La Niña rumors and are expecting another great snow-filled season,” says Dan Markham, Director
of Marketing and Sales at Ski Banff Lake Louise Sunshine.

The Lake Louise Ski Area will kick off the season running the Glacier Express Quad and the Sunny T-Bar, allowing guests to ski on Wi waxy, Bald Eagle, Easy Street and Sunny Side runs.

“With some help from Mother Nature in terms of natural snowfall, as well as cooler temperatures, we’ve been able to work diligently making snow,” says Lake Louise Ski Area president Charlie Locke.  “We know skiers and snowboarders are itching to get on the mountain and we’re keen to accommodate and proud to consistently offer one of the longest ski seasons anywhere.”

Having good snow coverage is important for the resort as they host the first World Cup Downhill race of the season.  The men’s race is held on the November 26th weekend with the women racing the following weekend.

Mt. Norquay opens on Saturday as well, allowing resort goers to ski on the Cascade run and warm up their legs for the season.  The resort will run the Cascade Quad lift on weekends until December 2nd, when they look to push into full operation.

The two will soon be followed by Sunshine Village. “With a 30 centimeters of snow pack, machines can start grooming runs soon. Nov. 10 is still looking possible,” says resort spokesperson Doug Firby. If accomplished, that would be nearly 10 days ahead of their 2010-11 winter opening.

Alberta skiers and riders have one other choice this weekend, as Nakiska Ski Area in the Kananaskis Valley has been operating on weekends only since last Saturday.