Mountainwatch |Press Release
The North American ski season is only a couple of months away, and this coming winter Canada’s famed ski resorts are introducing several exciting updates and enhancements, including lift upgrades, new terrain, sustainable initiatives, enhanced amenities, new flight announcements, as well as new events and festivals across British Columbia and Alberta.
Here are some highlights:
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB, Whistler Village, Vancouver Coast & Mountains, BC
Jersey Cream Chairlift Upgraded
The current high-speed quad Jersey Cream Chair on Blackcomb Mountain is being replaced with a new high-speed six-pack. The upgrade is expected to increase uphill capacity by 29 per cent, also reducing lift-line wait times and improving circulation in Blackcomb’s high-traffic mid-mountain area.
Luge Canada 2025 World Championships (February 6 – 8, 2025)
Luge Canada will reunite the world in Whistler as the International Luge Federation (FIL) has awarded Whistler with the 53rd FIL Luge World Championships, February 6 – 8, 2025.
Invictus Games Coming to Whistler (February 8 – 16, 2025)
For the first time, Invictus Games will feature winter adaptive sports when it comes to Whistler and Vancouver on February 8 – 16, 2025, which includes Alpine Skiing, Alpine Snowboarding, Biathlon, Nordic Skiing, Skeleton and Wheelchair Curling.
SUN PEAKS RESORT, Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan, BC
New West Bowl Express
This brand-new, high speed detachable quad chairlift will open in the alpine for the 2024-25 winter season. West Bowl is a zone of terrain located in the alpine of Tod Mountain and is one of the highest elevation skiable areas.
Powder Ventures Ski & Snowboard Cross Course
Sun Peaks Resort has built a permanent ski and snowboard cross course on Sundance Mountain opening winter 2024-25.
Mountain Man Adventures New Sustainable Snowmobile Fleet & Tour
Mountain Man Adventures (MMA), have replaced its entire snowmobile fleet with both new, fuel-efficient gas and electric snowmobiles. With best-in-class EV technology, Taiga’s fully electric snowmobiles are helping preserve the purity of the great outdoors.
BIG WHITE SKI RESORT, Kelowna, Thompson Okanagan, BC
Bullet Chair Upgrade
The Bullet Chair, a major uplift point from the village, underwent a $1.6 million electrical lift modernisation upgrade over summer.
Complete Redesign of the World’s Famous Big White Kids’ Centre
A place for children to learn, play and relax, Big White’s Kids Centre has relocated to a more central location. The complete redesign mixes pastel colours with soft aesthetics to deliver a cosy and calming space for kids to rest, play and learn.
SILVER STAR MOUNTAIN RESORT, Vernon, Thompson Okanagan, BC
New flights into Kelowna by Alaska Air & Westjet
For the upcoming winter, Alaska Air has added direct flights connecting Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) to Kelowna (YLW), supporting Australian and New Zealand travellers entering Canada via the USA. Kelowna airport serves both Silver Star and Big White Ski resort as entry points.
KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT, Golden, Kootenay Rockies, BC
Freeride World Tour
The Freeride World Tour is one of the most exciting worldwide winter competitions to be formed in recent years. Kicking Horse will once again be the only North American stop on the 2025 tour. Organisers announce the dates of the tour close to the season opener.
Ski Like A Pro (and with One)
Kicking Horse is debuting new programs and experiences for adult skiers and snowboarders with their Winter Sports School including First tracks, Trees and Skis Eco Tours, Mogul Monday clinics, and Training Thursday’s clinics.
REVELSTOKE MOUNTAIN RESORT, Revelstoke, Kootenay Rockies, BC
On-Mountain Guided Tours
The Resort is excited to introduce a dedicated program that will help visitors familiarise themselves with the mountain before heading out on their own. Tours are complimentary and offered daily at 1pm.
Mountain Sports School
In addition to the learning zone, the Resort also added a new Mountain Sports School facility. Both additions are located at the top of the Revelation Gondola creating one centralised location for learning a progression on the mountain.
New Basecamp Suites downtown Revelstoke
With Revelstoke ski resort only having one hotel on-snow being Sutton Place, many travellers look to stay in the nearby township of Revelstoke and shuttle to the resort. Welcoming winter visitors for the first time this season is the brand-new Base Camp Suites in the heart of downtown, offering modern one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes. The resort shuttle picks up daily from downtown making it a convenient location to stay.
FERNIE ALPINE RESORT, Fernie, Kootenay Rockies, BC
Polar Peak Upgrades
Serving up all Expert Terrain Polar Peak goes double black every day. A grooming cat has been placed mountain top to help skiers deal with a large amount of snowfall which in the past has made it tough, or not even possible to open Polar Peak chairlift.
PANORAMA MOUNTAIN VILLAGE, Panorama, Kootenay Rockies, BC
Hosting new events
Panorama is expanding its events and après programming. Guests can expect to see more amazing culinary and social soirees this coming winter, along with plenty of outdoor and adventure-based events including the Freeride Frenzy in January, Panorama Pride & Ski Festival in March and Red Bull Slopesoakers in April.
RED MOUNTAIN RESORT, Rossland, Kootenay Rockies, BC
The Crescent: Modern Alpine Flats
The Crescent is RED’s newest development situated right at the base of the resort with 102 residences in total. Ranging from super space-efficient studio suites, spacious top-floor lofts that sleep up to six with soaring ceiling heights and an upper-floor sleeping area, and the classic one-bedroom corner suites, all steps from the chairlift. Guests have access to personal ski lockers next to each unit, a rooftop bar/lounge, workout room, laundry access, and the swanky Alice Lounge.
WHITEWATER, Nelson, Kootenay Rockies, BC
New Terrain: Goat’s Slide Joins Inbound Offerings
Whitewater is thrilled to announce the addition of 60 acres of inbounds terrain, adding four new runs to the resort’s trail map as it expands for the first time into the iconic Ymir Bowl, Accessible from the new Raven Chairlift that opened last winter.
MOUNT WASHINGTON ALPINE RESORT, Comox Vancouver Island, BC
Adaptive Experiences
Aligning with The Vancouver Island Society for Adaptive Snowsports (VISAS) a non-profit charitable society focused on providing nationally certified snowsports instruction to people with physical or learning disabilities, Mount Washington is now offering people with adaptive needs an opportunity to participate and enjoy alpine (skiing or snowboarding) or Nordic (cross-country) snowsports in a fun and encouraging environment.
KIMBERLEY ALPINE RESORT, Kimberley, Kootenay Rockies, BC
New Grooming Fleet Additions
A new snowcat will be added to Kimberley’s fleet, designed to meet the European “Stage V” emission standards, with the edition of two new fan snow guns.
APEX MOUNTAIN RESORT, Penticton, Thompson Okanagan, BC
T-Bar upgrade to environmentally friendly electric engine
Apex Mountain Resort’s iconic T-Bar that services the freestyle mogul area, race training area, two terrain parks and night skiing area has been upgraded to an electric engine. With the T-Bar’s location in the heart of the resort village, the diesel engine sounds and its exhaust emitted into the area will be a welcome absence with a quiet, environmentally friendly electric engine as its replacement.
BANFF NATIONAL PARK, Canadian Rockies (SkiBig3), ALBERTA
Banff Sunshine Ski Area New Super Angel Chairlift
Banff Sunshine is set to unveil the Super Angel Chairlift, a 6-person, high-speed chairlift that will feature plush heated bucket seats, comfy footrests, and a weather protection bubble cover. Developed in partnership with Leitner-Poma, the Super Angel is equipped with the latest EVO premium technology, eliminating the traditional gearbox and providing the smoothest, fastest, and quietest ride on n the slopes.
Lake Louise Ski Area New Pipestone Express Heated Chairlift
In collaboration with Doppelmayr, Lake Louise Ski Resort will introduce a new heated chairlift comfortably transporting six passengers with a speedy ride time of 6.6 minutes to the base of the Summit Chair. It will also feature footrests and a sleek blue bubble, keeping guests warm as they ascend to the front side of the resort.
Mt. Norquay increases glading
For those who love tree skiing, Mt. Norquay in Banff’s backyard have thinned their tree runs over summer, enhancing glading across the mountain to provide more powder stashes, adventure, and excitement down tree runs.
New Moxy Banff Hotel by Marriott
Moxy Banff debuts its first winter, welcoming international skiers and boarders. Located on Banff Avenue the new hotel is part of Marriott’s Bonvoy portfolio, boasting 109 rooms with retro ski vibes. The hotel will also feature daily fresh produce from a restored 1966 VW Kombi food truck and the signature Moxy Bar will operate daily.
New Hotel Canoe & Suites Banff
Owned by Banff Lodging Company, the new Hotel Canoe & Suites features hotel rooms, suites and condos with an outdoorsy edge. Welcome winter visitors for the first time this coming season, the hotel is based on Banff Avenue stunning views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains. New restaurant Sudden Sally located in the hotel is open for breakfast, lunch dinner or drinks.
MARMOT BASIN, Jasper National Park, ALBERTA
Upgraded snowmaking system
Following last season’s installation of the new Knob Quad Chair that lifts skiers and snowboarders to the highest alpine bowls on the mountain, Marmot Basin has now upgraded its snowmaking system on the lower slopes for the 2024-25 season ensuring a quality snowpack top to bottom right through to early May.
Find out more about Canada’s incredible resorts and 2024/25 winter packages at Mountainwatch Travel.
