Western Canada Time Change Prompts Later Opening Hours At Ski Resorts
Following Canadian ski provinces Alberta and BC's decision to end seasonal clock changes this year, resorts have announced plans to open and close later in the day to match daylight hours to the revised winter clock times.
The decision by the main western Canadian ski provinces of Alberta and British Columbia (BC) to end seasonal clock changes and adopt permanent daylight time is already having an impact on their ski resorts, with a growing number announcing revised operating hours for the upcoming 2026-27 season, particularly in the darkest months of midwinter.
Both provinces will no longer turn clocks back in November, meaning darker winter mornings but lighter afternoons. The change has prompted ski operators to adjust schedules to better align with available daylight and mountain safety requirements. Most will open and close half-an-hour later than previously, keeping the ski day the same length, but slightly later in the day.
Those in BC so far announcing that’s the plan from when they open next month include North America’s largest, Whistler Blackcomb, and Canada’s second biggest, Sun Peaks. Both are pushing their usual early-season opening hours back, either from 8.30am to 9am or from 9am, to 9.30am. Lift closing will also be half an hour later than before.
In the Banff region of Alberta, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise Ski Resort, where the planned season start is just a fortnight away, Mount Norquay and Nakiska have all confirmed that lifts will begin running at 9:30am this winter, half an hour later than traditional opening times. While Nakiska plans to operate lifts until 4pm, Lake Louise Ski Resort, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay will remain open until 4:30pm, extending afternoon skiing opportunities.
Operators say the later starts are necessary because permanent daylight time will push winter sunrises significantly later. By late December, sunrise in the Banff area will occur at around 9:45am, requiring additional time for avalanche control, safety inspections and lift preparations before guests can access the mountain.
Some will revert to opening at 9am or 8.30am in the latter half of the season as daylight hours increase towards springtime.
