Sunshine Village

5 Tips to Make Your Family Ski Day a Success

Skiing with the whole family can be a wonderful way to spend quality time together during the winter months. To ensure everyone has a good time, it’s important to review safety information and be prepared. Also, keep an eye on our Events Page as ski areas across the province post family-friendly events all throughout the season. Here are 5 tips …

Ski Lessons in Your Language

Here at Go Ski Alberta, we believe skiing is for everyone. But we also understand that there are a variety of barriers which might make beginners hesitant to take that first step. Language shouldn’t be one of them. If you or your friends have ever put off taking ski lessons because you’re not sure if you’ll be able to understand …

Getting-started

FIRST TIMER QUESTIONS: How can I get started skiing or snowboarding?

What are the first steps to trying this new sport? If you’ve never tried skiing or snowboarding before, it’s easier than you think to get started. A great place to start is by booking a lesson with one of our friendly instructors. Faye from Snow Valley Ski Club explains how to get started and what to expect as a beginner. …

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First Timer Questions: How Do I Manage My Risk on the Ski Hill?

Dean from Castle Mountain Resort answers your question! All sports have some level of risk and we look to the Alpine Responsibility Code to guide us and to mitigate that risk. The Alpine Responsibility Code covers things like: Having the right equipment to prevent accidents and runoffs Selecting terrains based on your ability and experience Having local knowledge and awareness …

First Timer Questions: Gear Guide

First Timer Questions – What To Look For When Buying Gear

GEARING UP FOR A DAY AT THE SKI RESORT Get Dressed For Success on the Slopes! We get it. If you’re brand spanking new to the world of skiing or snowboarding, when it comes to the gear, it can feel like you’re getting set to go to the moon rather than the local ski hill. “So, what am I going …

Photo of Jaiminkumar

Jaiminkumar’s Story

From the First Time Seeing Snow to First Turns! One minute you’ve never seen snow before, and the next you’re strapping into a pair of skis and taking your first few turns at a ski resort in Alberta, Canada. Life is full of adventures and epic opportunities. That’s how Jaiminkumar Patel sees it, a first-timer and eager learner who moved …

Photo of Kelsey in ski school

Kelsey’s Story

Mama Goals: Back to the Slopes – and Snow School – to Prepare for Family Ski Days Living in a thriving ski community can have you feeling nostalgic about those childhood snow days at your hometown hill. Whether you’re missing the thrill, the turns or just spending some time outdoors during the long winters – this could be your sign …

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First Timer Questions: I’ve mastered the pizza and French fries, what’s next?

I’ve mastered the pizza and French fries, what’s next? ‘Spaghetti!’ That’s what’s next, according to Pass Powderkeg’s Snow School Supervisor, Michelle Dupuis. But we’re not talking about cooking here, we’re talking about continuing with your progression as a skier or snowboarder and getting to those parallel turns, by relaxing into it, feeling the motion, and getting a little loose on …

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First Timer Questions: Do I Have to Go to the Mountains to Ski?

Jocelyn from Rabbit Hill Snow Resort answers your question! No, you don’t have to go to the mountains to have a fun day on the hill. There are over 30 ski resorts located in Alberta – Just 4 here in Edmonton where Rabbit Hill Snow Resort is located. And there are plenty more located only a short drive out of …

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First Timer Questions: Is Skiing or Snowboarding Expensive?

Arney from Sunshine Village Ski Resort answers your question! When first starting out, there are a few affordable alternatives to buying brand new gear. You can choose to: Rent directly from your favourite ski hill when you visit Take advantage of local gear swaps throughout the season Borrow items from friends or family Most ski areas offer affordable rental options …

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First Timer Questions: What Gear Do I Need to Buy to Start Skiing?

Caleb from Nakiska Ski Area answers your question! When you first start out, RENT before you buy! Most ski areas offer affordable rental options for your day on the hills. Find local ski hills near you. Once you’re ready to commit, you can start from the basics and build up your gear as needed. Invest in a good quality helmet …

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First Timer Questions: What Should I Wear Skiing or Snowboarding?

Kat from Mount Norquay Ski Resort answers your question! Dress in layers! Start with a nice thin base layer to keep you dry A warmer mid-layer like a sweater or a smaller jacket A waterproof outer layer, jacket, and snow pants Warm mitts, gloves, and a hat What Kat loves about Norquay: What I really love about Norquay is that …

10 Top Tips for First-Timers, From an Expert

NOT YET VISITED A SKI RESORT? DON’T SWEAT IT: HERE ARE 10 TOP TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS, FROM AN EXPERT So, you’ve heard about all the fun and thrills that comes from a visit to the ski hill and want to give it a go yourself.  You have the gear ready.  You’ve checked out the details of your local ski area. …

Family Fun Canada Makes Memories

It’s the video I can’t stop watching. My husband had the camera rolling as our daughter zipped down the bunny hill at Snow Valley Ski Club. First, she sticks her tongue out as she gets up to speed, then she turns and grins right at the camera. She flies to the bottom of the hill and makes a turning stop to …

Tanis Gamble

Get to Know: Tanis Gamble

“Skiing and ski hills have been a part of my life ever since I can remember,” says avid skier Tanis Gamble. “My parents were always hitting the hill and by the age of 5 I had a pair of green “super sliders” and eventually graduated to a pair of wooden skis with bear claw bindings and leather buckle ski boots.” …

Jill Bodkin

I’ll Be Home to Ski: Jill Bodkin

Jill Bodkin grew up in Banff and learned to ski on the slopes of Mt. Norquay with her family who were well-known for their “Norquay Condo”, a trailer they used to warm up in that they parked in the Norquay lot on ski days. For a brief period, she even taught ski lessons on the hill. “I loved it, the …

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Get to Know: Paul Quan

When Paul Quan moved from Medicine Hat to Calgary in 1962, his friends introduced him to skiing. Not your typical beginner’s story, Paul learned to ski at Bow Summit by ski touring his way up the mountain. What would be intimidating for most only encouraged Paul to stick with the sport. After the 1988 Calgary Olympics, where Paul had volunteered …

Michelle and Bill Keeling

For Better or For Worse on the Hills: Michelle & Bill Keeling

Michelle and Bill, wife and husband, call Lake Louise their home. Michelle has worked at Lake Louise Ski Resort for almost 20 years and Bill owns a local mountain equipment rental shop in the village. It’s no wonder that they both pick Lake Louise Ski Resort as their home hill, but it’s not just for the proximity. “We love the …

Gord Mackenzie

Get to Know: Gord Mackenzie

We have been incredibly lucky to have Gord Mackenzie working beside us for the last couple of years. He is a dedicated hard working volunteer for Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing (CADS) Edmonton. CADS Edmonton built a new clubhouse at our resort, and Gord has been instrumental in ensuring the completion of this facility. He spends his summers living down …

Kelly Vanderbeek

Kelly VanderBeek: From Hills to Mountains (and the Olympics in between)

Kelly Vanderbeek, Canadian Olympic Downhill Skier and World Cup Medalist considers Lake Louise Ski Resort her ski hill of choice. Taking her first glides strapped into skis on her hometown hill Kapuskasing, Ontario’s Remi Ski Hill, which has one single rope tow, and progressing to Kitchener, Ontario’s Chicopee Ski Club where she began racing on a hill that at the …