Environment Canada and the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) have already declared the upcoming 2024.2025 winter season a La Niña phenonmenon and now Farmer’s Almanac agrees.

According to the Almanac; ‘La Niña, which refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific, is expected to develop and hang on through the season. Taking into account the effect La Niña has on the weather, along with our long-standing formula, we anticipate the winter of 2024-25 will be wet and cold for most locations.’  Which is music to winter sports enthusiasts ears. Read more on the Farmer’s Almanac website.

Get ready for winter, it could be really snowy on the Powder Highway of British Columbia! It’s time to get your ski gear ready & plan your winter ski vacation.  Winter Early Booking offers are on now.

Book Fernie Alpine Resort
Book Kimberley Alpine Resort
Book Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Instagram, Facebook & Twitter – @PowderMatt

Canada – We interrupt your summer with a snowy update.  La Niña winter is in the forecast! 

You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about La Niña or sometimes El Niño, so what do they really mean?  During El Niño, trade winds weaken, warm water is pushed back east, toward the west coast of the Americas resulting in areas in the northern U.S. and Canada are dryer and warmer than usual. Now La Niña is what we really get excited about.  La Niña has the opposite effect of El Niño. During La Niña events, trade winds are stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. The cold waters in the Pacific push the jet stream northward. This tends to lead to drought in the southern U.S. and colder events with more percipitation (snow!) in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

Check out the Environment Canada map at the bottom of this email to see the percipitation predictions for the upcoming winter.

Now we know these are just predictions so don’t stop doing your snow dance. We sure hope the snowier than normal ski season returns this winter! Cheers to La Niña!

We have been busy doing summer grooming at Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. We have a custom built mowers that attach to a grooming cat and can give the slopes a sweet hair-cut so they are ready for those first flakes.

Don’t forget to plan ahead if you’re thinking about booking a ski holiday or weekend getaway as space books up quickly.  Book your vacation on our website or email our vacation specialists to inquire about early booking offers at information@skircr.com.

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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter • Facebook • Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog

Kimberley, B.C – See you Friday! The wait is over ski season kicks off at Kimberley Alpine Resort, Friday December 15th 2023

“Kimberley Alpine Resort, a good place to ski, cranks up the lifts, this Friday, December 15th!” says Matt Mosteller. “We are so grateful for all who ski and ride with us each winter. Kimberley is so good for so many reasons, but most importantly it is the passion of the people and the strong commitment to skiing and winter adventures that this community has”, Mosteller added.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the slopes this Friday! Please check the Snow Report for most up to date information on what lifts and or runs will be open.

It’s going to be a holiday season to remember at Kimberley Alpine Resort, with more activites than ever!  We’ll have live music in The Stemwinder Bar & Grill, Night Skiing, S’mores Fat Bike and Snowshoe Tours, Santa Claus himself, annual Family New Year’s Eve Party with Fireworks lighting up the mountain at 9:00pm and much more!
Check out our events calendar for schedules and more information.

In addition to our the holiday fun, we have a tremendous line up of events all season long! Something for everyone so make sure to check it out from music to zany and fun family events.  We are looking forward to hosting the Jeep Jr Freeski series, stay tuned to our events calendar for more info and details once we have registration ready to go.

As well, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Dreadnaught Ski Racing there is a super amazing lineup of ski racing events this winter which will inject around $1.8 million into the local economy.

We also want to thank all the school groups who come up each winter for programs and as well thank you to the dedicated volunteers, coaches and athletes of the Kimberley Alpine Team!

Remember it is early season – please start out slow, look for hazards, control your speed and ski and ride with care!

Purchase your RCR Rockies Card before December 24th and pay only $135 – get 3 ski days plus daily discounts.  More information.

Book your winter vacation to Kimberley, the place to alpine ski, cross country ski, snowshoe and fat bike – few places can rival the winter multi-sport offering all so close downtown and nearby Kimberley Alpine Resort!
Check our Special Vacation Offers at Trickle Creek Lodge.

Find out why the Kimberley Winter Sports School was voted #1 this season by USAToday – whether your an advance skier looking to improve your skills or a brand new skier/snowboarder, there’s a program for you!  Find out more on our website.

Kimberley Alpine Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram

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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter • Facebook • Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog

Photo from December 10th, 2023

“A Ski Industry veteran, Christine has a proven track record and will work hard to bring strategic and commercial leadership to Kimberley Alpine Resort,” said John Shea, President, and Chief Resorts Officer, RCR.  “Christine looks forward to leading the Kimberley Alpine Resort Team to deliver value to our guests, employees, and stakeholders, and add value to the community of Kimberley”, stated Shea.

Christine’s passion for the industry started at a young age, having grown up on the south shores of Montreal in the community of St-Bruno-de-Montarville, with her home ski resort being Ski Saint-Bruno. Christine joined Resort of the Canadian Rockies in 2010, reporting to both the President and the Chairman, and quickly demonstrated her skills in business management and ability to grow initiatives. As a chartered professional in Human Resources with a degree in Economics, she has established a sense of balance which has served her well in positions within RCR Administration, HR, OH&S, and most recently in the role of Director, People, Culture and OH&S. Christine has very diverse experience which has made a positive contribution at the RCR Calgary office and she now looks forward to doing more of the same at  Kimberley Alpine Resort.

“I am thrilled to be joining the dedicated team at Kimberley Alpine Resort” stated Christine Schultheis “and I am excited to work alongside the incredible group at Kimberley Alpine Resort and join the wonderful community of Kimberley”.

Christine and her family are avid outdoor enthusiasts, while skiing is a passion, they are also very keen to enjoy the incredible mountain biking trails built by the Kimberley Trails Society and enjoy family cross-country experience offered by the Kimberley Nordic Club.

Please join us in welcoming Christine to her new role as General Manager, at Kimberley Alpine Resort.

About Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
Proudly Canadian, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) is the largest private ski resort owner/operator in North America, owning six ski resorts across Canada, including Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta; Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia. RCR also owns and manages a number of hotels and golf courses, including Trickle Creek in Kimberley, and Wintergreen Golf and Country Club in Bragg Creek. RCR aims to provide each and every guest The Ultimate Experience.

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For more information, please contact:

Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Facebook, Twitter & Instagram – @PowderMatt

STARTING WITH THE 2023/24 SEASON, EPIC AUSTRALIA PASS HOLDERS WILL RECEIVE FIVE COMBINED DAYS AT THE RESORTS OF THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

• Epic Australia Pass Holders will receive five combined days at the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies – including Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Nakiska in Alberta, and Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in Quebec – starting with the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere winter season.
• 19 April is the last chance to purchase the 2023 Epic Australia Pass for AU$1,049 before prices increase.

5 April 2023 – Epic Australia Pass Holders will now have more access to world-class resorts in Canada, starting with the 2023/24 Northern Hemisphere winter season. Vail Resorts announced today that the expansion of its long-term alliance with the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) will include five combined days of skiing and riding for 2023 Epic Australia Pass Holders. Pass Holders can use the five combined days across any of RCR’s six resorts — Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort in British Columbia, Nakiska in Alberta, and Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham in Quebec.

“Get ready to experience the ultimate snow adventure as we welcome Epic Australia Pass Holders to the majestic Resorts of the Canadian Rockies,” said Rob Lloyd, Director of Sales & Marketing – Australia, Vail Resorts. “With the addition of Kicking Horse and Fernie, your bucket list just got bigger and more exciting. The Epic Australia Pass gives you unlimited access to Perisher, Falls Creek, Hotham, and a chance to carve your way through the breathtaking slopes of Whistler Blackcomb and beyond.” Lloyd continued, “Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make unforgettable memories in some of the world’s most awe-inspiring destinations!”

Discover the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies

The 2023 Epic Australia Pass access begins with the 2023 Australian snow season and concludes following the 2023/24 snow season in the Northern Hemisphere. It provides:

• Kicking Horse and Fernie: Located in the southeast corner of British Columbia on the legendary “Powder Highway”, Kicking Horse and Fernie are consistently ranked among the top 10 Canadian resorts with abundant annual snowfall and big mountain skiing and riding.
• Kimberley Alpine Resort: Boasting the most sunshine of any resort in Canada, Kimberley Alpine is in the Purcell Range of Southeast British Columbia, with two thirds of its 80 runs and glades rated beginner or intermediate in addition to expert terrain on the back side.
• Nakiska: A family-friendly resort offering a variety of terrain including perfectly groomed runs and a very popular learning area, Nakiska is positioned in Kananaskis Country in the front range of the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.
• Mont-Sainte-Anne: An ideal year-round destination, Mont-Sainte-Anne is situated near beautiful Quebec City within the Laurentian Mountain chain.
• Stoneham Ski Resort: Offering an incomparable free-style area, Stoneham has Canada’s largest illuminated ski centre for night skiing.

LEARN MORE

Purchase Now Before Prices Rise

Skiers and riders have until 19 April to get their Epic Australia Pass before prices rise. The Epic Australia Pass offers unlimited days at Perisher, Falls Creek, Hotham and more, and benefits including six Bring-A-Mate tickets, 20% off lessons and rentals, 15% off retail and more.

Currently priced at AU$1,049 for adults, AU$599 for students (five to 17 years) and AU$799 for seniors (65 years and over), 2023 Epic Australia Pass lift access starts with the 2023 Australian snow season and concludes with the 2023/24 snow season in the Northern Hemisphere. Find out more here.

The Epic Australia Pass is non-refundable except through Epic Coverage, which provides refunds for certain qualifying events and is provided at no additional cost. Refunds are subject to eligibility and based on Epic Coverage elections. Pass Holders should review the Epic Coverage Terms and Conditions.

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ABOUT VAIL RESORTS, INC. (NYSE: MTN)

Vail Resorts is a network of the best destination and close-to-home ski resorts in the world including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Stowe, and 32 additional resorts across North America; Andermatt-Sedrun in Switzerland; and Perisher, Hotham, and Falls Creek in Australia. We are passionate about providing an Experience of a Lifetime to our team members and guests, and our EpicPromise is to reach a zero net operating footprint by 2030, support our employees and communities, and broaden engagement in our sport. Our company owns and/or manages a collection of elegant hotels under the RockResorts brand, a portfolio of vacation rentals, condominiums and branded hotels located in close proximity to our mountain destinations, as well as the Grand Teton Lodge Company in Jackson Hole, Wyo. Vail Resorts Retail operates more than 250 retail and rental locations across North America. Learn more about our company at www.VailResorts.com, or discover our resorts and pass options at www.EpicPass.com.

ABOUT RCR

Proudly Canadian, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc. (RCR) is the largest private ski resort owner/operator in North America, owning six ski resorts across Canada including: Nakiska Ski Area in Alberta; Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in British Columbia and Mont-Sainte Anne and Stoneham in Quebec. In addition to the company’s ski resorts, RCR also owns and operates a number of accommodation properties, golf courses and a central reservation agency. The consumer website is www.skircr.com.

Kimberley, B.C – We all need some good news this year, and we’re here to bring it to you. We’re excited to be opening on Friday, December 11th, a day earlier than our original projected opening date!

Initially, we will have the Main Run & Magic Carpet open while we’re working hard on getting more terrain opened up soon.

Resort services this weekend will include:

• Stemwinder – Open daily at 8:30am for light breakfast & coffee, après ski & lunch
• Buckhorn & Main | 250-427-2525 – Open daily for express lunch as well as dinner
• Plaza BBQ & take-out – Saturday & Sunday
• Guest Services/Ticket Window | 250-427-4881 –  8:30am-4:30pm
• Rental & Repair Shop – 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Sports Alpine Retail Store – 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Winter Sports School |  250-432-0315 – 8:30am – 4:30pm
• Child Care will not be offered

For any questions please contact Guest Services at 250-427-4881.

Lift tickets will be $79 (adult rate) and will be available online and at our ticket windows, tickets will be available on tickets.skikimberley.com, please visit to see our recommendations on where to buy tickets during certain time periods.

As we all know, this year will look a little different than usual, ensure you Know Before you Go by reviewing our COVID procedures.

Key policies we would like to note include;

• Masks are required to be worn throughout the entire resort, inside all buildings, in lift lines, while riding lifts, parking lots and our Plaza.
• Please maintain social distancing, stay 2m apart

We ask that you review our policies in full before heading out this season and to check back for updates.

Please keep in mind that early season conditions do exist on the mountain. Ski and ride with care.

For more information as it becomes available visit our Snow Report.

Kimberley Alpine Resort • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram

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For more information, please contact:
Matt Mosteller
Senior VP Marketing & Resort Experience, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
media@skircr.com
Twitter • Facebook • Instagram – @PowderMatt
Powder Matt’s Blog