Ski-In, Ski-Out at Sunshine Village

Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort at Banff plans to open Nov. 8, boasting all natural snow and the addition this year of two new snow cats. Sunshine Inn is the only ski-in, ski-out hotel in Banff National Park and if you're a guest, you can get on the slopes at 8:30 a.m. before anyone else. Also this year, new SlopeTracker GPS armband technology calculates your top speed, number of runs and calories burned, for a hi-tech ski or ride experience. There are plenty of early season deals at the Sunshine website.

New Snow Guns at Norquay

Ski Norquay at Banff's is set for Dec. 8, though last year it was first out of the gate in early November. So with another year of phenomenal early season weather, anything's possible. Norquay offers the option of by-the-hour ticketing and has night skiing on Friday nights which includes the terrain park. Six high tech automatic snow guns were added this year and will improve snow making, especially in the early season.

Marmot Shuffles Deck

Marmot Basin at Jasper is shooting for its earliest ever opening on Nov. 16 as it follows a record breaking snow season. The $2–million snowmaking equipment added last year will provide improved lower mountain coverage this year. There is a huge new deck on the Caribou Lodge at Marmot that provides eye-popping views of the surrounding mountains as well as an opportunity to gawk at your fellow skiers and riders – while enjoying the best food and drinks. And a newly configured VIA Snow Train from Edmonton to Jasper allows you to ride the rails in style in train compartments that will be geared to families, adventurers, and other groups of like-minded travelers.

Get to Nakiska

Nakiska is just 40 minutes from Calgary, providing an easy half day for locals seeking its spectacular blue groomed runs – though it offers a full range of terrain including green and black. It is set to open Dec. 8. Families will enjoy the new magic carpet in the beginner's area. Look for some rental shop renovations and snow improvements with a new snowcat.

Enjoy Growth at the Castle

Castle Mountain Resort in Alberta South has been busy during the summer grooming hills, including the new Mount Haig which opened this very affordable resort last year to more intermediate and beginner skiers. Castle was long considered a favorite for hard-core skiers and riders seeking outlaw powder, and a film that ran with Warren Miller's latest feature last season boosted its profile considerably worldwide. Infrastructure improvements to the water system are ready, as are additional condos added to the growing rental pool of accommodations. Castle Mountain is scheduled to open for the season on December 15, 2007.

Click here to read more about skiing in the Canadian Rockies.