BANFF, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/02/13 -- Skiers and riders can rejoice as 42 cm (17 in) of fresh powder fell on Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort over the past 24 hours.

The new snowfall is attributed to the Pineapple Express system converging on the Rocky Mountains and dropping its precipitation in the form of abundant snow throughout Friday and into today.

"What a tremendous way to kick off the month of March," begins Dave Riley, Chief Operating Officer, Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort. "With our 12 high speed lifts and 109 runs open to guests, this new snow has provided epic conditions for skiers and riders this weekend and leading into the spring ski season."

The abundance of snow has elevated the already-impressive snow pack to 198 cm (78 in) with an incredible 629 cm (247 in) of the white stuff falling on the resort to date.

The resort is famous for its legendary all-natural champagne powder and its unique snow farming technique, which uses 35 km of snow fencing to capture the snow on the resort's three big mountains.

For media inquiries, still or video images, or on-mountain photo opportunities, call Tanya Otis, Manager of Media Relations at 403-671-1000.

Daily snow conditions can be found at www.skibanff.com/conditions

Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard Resort

Sunshine Village, close to the town of Banff, provides skiers and boarders with 12-lifts including seven modern high speed quad chairs, the most in the Canadian Rockies, and one of the world's fastest 8 passenger gondolas. Stay slope-side in the Rockies only "ski-in ski-out" hotel and ski or ride 3,300 acres and three mountains in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia along the Continental Divide during Canada's longest season from November to late May. For more information visit www.skibanff.com.