Winter Edges Ever Closer in North America
26th October 2026
Some ski resorts in Canada are set to open in early November. Ones in the US follow later in the month with the battle to open first already underway. NEW
First out of the block in Canada are expected to be the resorts near Banff in Alberta.
Provisional opening dates:
- November 6, 2026: Banff Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort
- November 7, 2026: Mt. Norquay
Here’s Sunshine Village:
View this post on Instagram
PlanetSKI’s North America reporting team of Alex & Marie Cove, will be reporting from the slopes of the resorts around Banff as soon as they open.
They were in Banff on Sunday with snow in the town.
Banff, Canada. Sunday 25th October 2026. Image © Alex & Marie Cove/PlanetSKI
In Canada neither Alberta or British Columbia changed their clocks back an hour this year so it will be darker in the morning and lighter later in the afternoon.
As such many ski resorts are altering their opening and closing times.
Some have said lifts will start running half an hour later at 9.30am and shutting later at 4.30pm.
We will update on PlanetSKI when we have further details from the resorts.
Sunshine Village, Alberta, Canada. Image © PlanetSKI
In the USA, 35cm of snow has recently fallen at altitude in Colorado.
The annual contest to see which resort opens first is well underway and it is usually one of a handful in Colorado:
View this post on Instagram
Will it be Arapahoe Basin, Loveland, Winter Park or Keystone this season?
Sometimes there is a surprise.
Arizona Snowbowl has been busy pumping it out.
View this post on Instagram
Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted…
New for the 2026/27 Ski Season
PlanetSKI: Number 1 for digital ski news
Your digital platform for ski news, resort information, travel, equipment rental, sport, money saving deals and everything connected with snowsports – web site, social media & more..
