Banff (AB), Canada – Alberta’s Banff-Lake Louise is the only place in Canada thus far offering lift served skiing and snowboarding. In addition to Lake Louise Ski Area, which opened Nov. 5, Mount Norquay kicked its season off Saturday to an anxious skiing and riding public.nNorquay, which first hoped to open for Halloween in late October, was forced to reschedule is season debut to this weekend. Good early season conditions greeted skiers and snowboarders when Norquay’s Cascade chair opened at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Cooler temperatures and hard work by snowmaking crews meant several terrain park features were also available.

The resort will, for now, be open for weekends only. Operations seven days a week are scheduled to begin Dec. 3. Officials at nearby Sunshine Village, offering almost entirely natural snow, say that they’re just one decent snowfall away from opening.