The May long weekend always brings one of the best events of the winter, when Sunshine Village packs the last ski weekend in Banff National Park with an avalanche of great events! There will be good reason to celebrate, after the ski resort had a record setting snowfall this season, with over 34 feet of the fluffy stuff falling.

It is a whole action filled weekend, with performances by BC/DC and Sunday’s 4th annual ‘Bikini’s & Board Shorts’ fundraiser. But the main attraction is Monday’s 84th annual Slush Cup-with costumed skiers and boarders trying to make it across a chilly pool in front of thousands of spectators. It is no easy feat, as in 2011 only 3 of the 73 entrants cleared the pool. Here is a look at the action from last year;

Expect to see a lot of beach attire at Sunday’s ‘Bikinis & Boardshorts’ fundraiser

The glory and agony of the Slush Cup. Can YOU claim the title of

Best Belly Flop, Awesome Air, or, um, Excellent Enema?

And besides one of the best ski parties, anywhere, look how much snow is

still left to shred (webcam shot of the Rogers Terrain Park, May 18, 9:30 am)

It shrinks? “Like a frightened turtle…”

Banff’s own Keegan Capel wraps up a record breaking season of snowfall with these clips from some epic days in Banff National Park. Great video, great tune, and this guy is only 17! Look for some big things next season from this big mountain skier. Here is the video:

To check out all of Keegan’s videos, click here .

Jeff from real Banff tries out the Monster airbag at the Saturday, May 5th Spring Episode fiesta at the Lake Louise ski area. In sheer terror.

It was a terrific season ending weekend at the Lake-so much so that Lake Louise has decided to re-open for one more weekend (May 11,12, 13) to give skiers a chance to enjoy this years record snowfall a little bit longer.

We think it was about here that the jumper passed out from screaming too much.

Yes, there have been some ‘shorts days’ in the park and the kayaks and canoes are now on the water, but this is still one of the best times of the year to hit up Sunshine Village or Lake Louise ski areas. With the best spring snow conditions on record, no lift lines, and the chance to ski in a t-shirt, it’s time to head up and earn a sweet goggle tan!

SUNSHINE VILLAGE SKI & SNOWBOARD RESORT

Open every day until the epic season ending 84th annual Slush Cup party on May 21st.

A rider takes some BIG air this week, at Sunshine. (via Sunshine Village facebook)

Sunshine Village has received more snow this year than any other on record, and this is a great time of the year to head up to Canada’s highest ski area!

And speaking of the Slush Cup-if you haven’t heard of the legendary May long weekend skiesta, take a look at this video showing some of the hi-jinx;

LAKE LOUISE SKI AREA

After this past weekends ‘Spring Episode’ (May 5/6) season ending party, the Lake has decided to open up for one more BONUS weekend-the upcoming May 11,12,13 weekend. There will be some more music and fun at the base-click here for more info!

Bruce Marpole tests the Monster airbag at Lake Louise on Saturday, May 5th.

May 9th, 2012

The Blue Canoe is now open for the summer!

Just a couple blocks from Banff Avenue are the Blue Canoe docks. What better way to spend a day than kayaking or canoeing to Vermillion Lakes or up the Bow River.

Real Banff picks up a paddle (video, top of page) and takes a look at the action. For more info on Blue Canoe, click here.

And here is a look at what it is like to kayak UNDER a train!

#1 Rocky Mountain Wine & Food Festival; In the Grand Tasting Hall at the Fairmont Banff Springs, you can try out the food from a multitude of terrific area restaurants and pair it up with wine from almost 100 different wineries, 24 types of beer, or 50+ different spirits-from Tequila to Cognac. More info here.

And here is a HD video look at the action from the 2011 festival.

Sessions: Friday, May 4^th, 7-10. Saturday, May 5^th 2-5pm and 7-10pm (this last session is sold out)

There are also some terrific wine dinners and a rib competition at local restaurants-including the Great Lobster Fest at the St. James’s Gate (where you pick your own live lobster). And if you are ready to really shake a leg you can continue the party at the local nightclubs the Aurora, the Dancing Sasquatch, the Hoodoo Lounge, and the Devil’s Gap.

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#2 Spring Episode/Ruckus In The Rockies; closing weekend at the Lake Louise ski area is always legendary. Live DJ’s playing at the Kokanee Kabin and the Lodge of 10 Peaks, a MASSIVE kicker at the base for the Ruckus and there is still a ton of snow to ski or ride, with 20 more cm’s dropping just a few days ago! Info

May 5^th and 6^th, all day, all night. Here’s a HD preview of the festivities.

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#3 Cinco De Mayo in Banff; Celebrate like you are south of the border at the legendary Magpie & Stump Mexican restaurant, and just a half block away you can finish your fiesta at the Hoodoo Lounge. May 5^th. Sombrero’s are optional. These two dogs give the Magpie a thumbs up!

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#4 The Odds, playing live at Sunshine Village Ski Resort-outdoors on Saturday and Sunday. Part of the Spring Event series. Don’t forget-Sunshine has had a record snowfall this year and is open until the big Slush Cup party on May 21^st-an event NOT to be missed!

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#5 Whatever brings you to Banff, there is always time to fit in some more live music and every venue is usually just a short stroll from the next. The Rose & Crown has alt metal rockers KOVERED IN LIES and local legends THE KELLYHOOLAHANS playing this weekend, Wild Bills is hosting THE STEEL TOE BOOTS, you have STAN JACOBS playing at the beautiful Rundle Lounge at the Fairmont Banff Springs. Or you can sing yourself, at Sunday nights White Hot Karaoke at the Paddock Pub.

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BONUS #6. After a weekend with options like this, you may want to burn off a few calories. Couple suggestions for you are to hike up Sulphur Mountain. You’ll get views like this (live webcam) and you can take the Gondola down.

Also-this weekend marks the season opening for the Blue Canoe Docks. So you can rent a canoe or kayak and get in some exercise with amazing views!

The legendary ‘Rocket’ Miller, from the Lake Louise Ski Area, gives his final report of the year. Topics include lots of snow and the upcoming Spring Episode and Ruckus In The Rockies, coming this May 5/6 on the final weekend at the Lake. This is one of real Banff’s favourite weekends of the whole year!

More info from Lake Louise right here!

Congrats to the Montague Intermediate School in PEI! The whole class won a trip to experience Banff National Park after posting their terrific video re-enacting the Charlottetown Accord. The class will be joining the Grade 8 class from Banff to enjoy an action packed 4 day adventure in Canada’s first National Park. In the video (top of page) Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen, BLLT CEO Julie Canning, Brewster President Michael Hannan and local grade 8 teacher Ian Higginbottom (along with his grade 8 class) extend a warm welcome out to the east coast.

The classes had to put together a video re-enacting a famous historical event from Canada. Here is the winning entry from Montague Intermediate School-a look at the ‘Charlottetown Confernce of 1864′.

DETAILS OF THE CONTEST

Parks Canada, in collaboration with Brewster Travel Canada, Air Canada and Banff Lake Louise Tourism, launched the Canada’s Coolest School Trip contest on November 10, 2011. A national contest created to engage students, teachers and parents across Canada in the country’s natural and cultural heritage, Canada’s Coolest School Trip will showcase one of Canada’s most iconic destinations, Banff National Park, as the ultimate reward for an entire class of student contestants.

The contest encouraged grade-eight students across the country to recreate a significant Canadian moment related to a national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area on video and submit it for nationwide judging via Parks Canada’s ‘My Parks Pass’ website. Hundreds of students have participated with over 60 videos having been submitted, and they were all terrific!

The legendary ‘Rocket’ Miller gives us the straight goods on the Lake Louise Ski Area, talking shop on the record setting snowfall this year, video contests and Shred Kelly’s visit to rock out on the Kokanee Deck.

There is still a LOT of skiing and boarding to be done in the Rockies, and you can keep tabs on what is happening at the Lake right here (website) and here (Youtube).

There is still some great skiing left, but it’ s not too early to start thinking about getting the mountain bike tuned up and ready. We’re just a few weeks from the opening of biking trails around the park, so get out the grease!

For reports on trail openings and updates, click here.

Jeff from real Banff and Peter Oprsal of www.bikepirate.com check out the Tunnel Mountain loop mountain biking trail (from last summer). Just a short way from downtown Banff, this relatively easy trek is filled with beautiful views of the Bow Valley, Banff Springs golf course and the Hoodoo’s. The trail head is just past the Douglas Fir resort off of Tunnel Mountain road. Check out the video above for HD footage of the loop!

Here is a map of the trail and the elevation gained:

The Bike Pirate is a terrific resource for info on mountain biking trails all over Alberta, BC and even Washington and New Zealand! Also check out the Bow Valley Mountain Bike Alliance website for more great details on trails around here (and info to get involved in building trails).

Happy riding!