Here’s how early skiers lined up for elusive 'first chair' at Lake Louise
Three of Alberta’s rocky mountain snow resorts opened to the public over the weekend, including Lake Louise Ski Resort.
The 2023–24 ski and snowboard season is already off to a bucket list start for a pair of alpine enthusiasts.
Three of Alberta’s rocky mountain snow resorts opened to the public over the weekend, including Lake Louise Ski Resort. And, as is tradition, many showed up early to be in line when the lifts finally began to spin after a long, snow-free summer.
None, though, showed up as early as Shawn Lee and Dustin Syganik, who nabbed the elusive ‘first chair’ of the season at Lake Louise—a sort of badge of honour among those truly dedicated to the pursuit of powder.
“We were the first ones here at 3 a.m. There wasn’t a single soul until 6:30. I think that was when the next person showed up,” said Lee, who drove in from Stettler for the occasion.
“I was expecting to see someone camped out down here or something. You never know right, first day,” added Cyganik, who braved a harrowing commute from Revelstoke on snow-covered highways.
“We’ve always wanted to get first chair, and we finally accomplished that this season.”
Cyganik (left) and Lee rode Drifter Snowbikes Friday, converted bicycles that offer an alternative to skiing and boarding (and are a little easier on the knees). (Photo: Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
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Lake Louise Communications Manager Leigha Stankewich said it’s typical to see that kind of enthusiasm on the slopes.
“The stoke was pretty high in the lift line at 9 o’clock this morning. People were keen to get out,” she said.
The start of Alberta’s alpine ski and board season was buoyed by a late October snowfall that saw more than 20 cm pile up at some mountain resorts.
“Mother Nature certainly helped us out. The skiing is soft, the turns are good, and we’re getting our ski legs back,” Stakewich said.
Norquay and Nakiska also fired up their lifts this past weekend.
