OT Banff

Yes, I know it's not in Europe

Any resort/slope recommendations? (accom sorted already, b&b)

On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 08:55:28 +0100, " cupra"
wrote:

Yes, I know it's not in Europe

Any resort/slope recommendations? (accom sorted already, b&b)

Very much depends on the weather ond snow conditions, as well as your
personal preferences. There are, as you probably know, three main
areas, all with bus links from Banff, although I'd recommend a car
(4wd) to get the most out of it. Lake Louise is about 40km away, but
there's plenty of base-level parking; Suchine Village is perhaps 15km
out of town and Mount Norquay[1] is the closest, but still not
walkable from the town.

If there's good snow and you like to ski powder, then the 'back bowls'
at Louise are the place to be. The Larch area there and the runs over
to it give a bit more in the way of tree cover if the visibility is
poor, whereas for cruisy stuff any of the front runs are ideal.

Sunshine offers a bit more by way of 'extreme' skiing, if that's your
bag, as well as a good range of cruisy motorway runs. Quite exposed
though, as it's mostly above the tree line.

Norquay is perhaps more of an intermediate area, although I've not
skiied it since about 1996 so I can't be sure.

[1] Pronounced 'Nork-way', by the way.

--
Ace (brucedotrogers a.t rochedotcom)
Ski Club of Great Britain - http://www.skiclub.co.uk
All opinions expressed are personal and in no way represent those of the Ski Club.

cupra wrote:
Yes, I know it's not in Europe

Any resort/slope recommendations? (accom sorted already, b&b)



Assuming you are going for a week or more I'd explore all of the 3 areas
- Ace already mentioned them so I won't repeat all that. I think
Sunshine and LL offer a bit more than Norquay but it's still worth a day
at least. My presonal favourite was LL - superb steep tree skiing and a
really nice lodge at the bottom to warm up in! If it's open and if you
are up to I think "Delirium Dive" at Sunshine is up to the hype, it's a
very steep pitch which had excellent snow it when I was there, when the
rest of Sunshine was pretty average. You need to be carrying avalanche
gear though, they don't let you on it without, even though it is
in-bounds skiing!

If you are there for long enough (say over 1 week) I'd recommend getting
in a day at Kicking Horse. It's a fair way from Banff but they lay on a
bus so you don't need to drive it yourself. I *think* the cost including
the bus + lift ticket was about CDN$60, but it may be a little more. KH
is trying to build a reputation for serious steep skiing and there is
plenty of that, but there is enought there to make it worth the trip for
intermediates and above. I'd avoid it at the weekend if there is powder
though, it can get extremely busy, but in the week it is very quiet (or
at least it was a couple of years ago).

As for the resort itself, I'm afraid I can't really comment on Banff as
we stayed in Canmore - I think there is plenty to do in Banff but I
don't know of any must-see places. Canmor is pretty quiet by comparison
but has a couple of nice restaurants.

Have you tried posting in r.s.r.north-america? It doesn't suffer from
the same "noise" as r.s.alpine so you'll get some sensible advice there.

Steve

Ace wrote:
On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 08:55:28 +0100, " cupra"
wrote:

Yes, I know it's not in Europe

Any resort/slope recommendations? (accom sorted already, b&b)

Very much depends on the weather ond snow conditions, as well as your
personal preferences. There are, as you probably know, three main
areas, all with bus links from Banff, although I'd recommend a car
(4wd) to get the most out of it. Lake Louise is about 40km away, but
there's plenty of base-level parking; Suchine Village is perhaps 15km
out of town and Mount Norquay[1] is the closest, but still not
walkable from the town.

If there's good snow and you like to ski powder, then the 'back bowls'
at Louise are the place to be. The Larch area there and the runs over
to it give a bit more in the way of tree cover if the visibility is
poor, whereas for cruisy stuff any of the front runs are ideal.

Sunshine offers a bit more by way of 'extreme' skiing, if that's your
bag, as well as a good range of cruisy motorway runs. Quite exposed
though, as it's mostly above the tree line.

Norquay is perhaps more of an intermediate area, although I've not
skiied it since about 1996 so I can't be sure.

[1] Pronounced 'Nork-way', by the way.

Cheers - we've got a mixed bunch going including beginners, intermediates,
advanced, ski, board so it looks like we'll have enough to keep us amused!

Steve Haigh wrote:
cupra wrote:
Yes, I know it's not in Europe

Any resort/slope recommendations? (accom sorted already, b&b)



Assuming you are going for a week or more I'd explore all of the 3
areas - Ace already mentioned them so I won't repeat all that. I think
Sunshine and LL offer a bit more than Norquay but it's still worth a
day at least. My presonal favourite was LL - superb steep tree skiing
and a really nice lodge at the bottom to warm up in! If it's open and
if you are up to I think "Delirium Dive" at Sunshine is up to the
hype, it's a very steep pitch which had excellent snow it when I was
there, when the rest of Sunshine was pretty average. You need to be
carrying avalanche gear though, they don't let you on it without,
even though it is in-bounds skiing!

If you are there for long enough (say over 1 week) I'd recommend
getting in a day at Kicking Horse. It's a fair way from Banff but
they lay on a bus so you don't need to drive it yourself. I *think*
the cost including the bus + lift ticket was about CDN$60, but it may
be a little more. KH is trying to build a reputation for serious
steep skiing and there is plenty of that, but there is enought there
to make it worth the trip for intermediates and above. I'd avoid it
at the weekend if there is powder though, it can get extremely busy,
but in the week it is very quiet (or at least it was a couple of
years ago).

As for the resort itself, I'm afraid I can't really comment on Banff
as we stayed in Canmore - I think there is plenty to do in Banff but I
don't know of any must-see places. Canmor is pretty quiet by
comparison but has a couple of nice restaurants.

Have you tried posting in r.s.r.north-america? It doesn't suffer from
the same "noise" as r.s.alpine so you'll get some sensible advice
there.

Steve

Thanks - most of the group are only going of a week, but four of us are
staying an extra week, and we've got a car sorted so Kicking Horse may be on
the agenda! (I've heard stories of Delirium Dive too - that's going to be
visited as well!)

On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 08:55:28 +0100, " cupra"
wrote:
Any resort/slope recommendations?

I recommend that you visit the Banff Springs Hotel, wander around its
palatial interiior, and look at the view of the Bow River from the
front entrance.

If you are not skiing/sleeping on Sunday morning and you expect to be
hungry, eat at the brunch buffet at the Banff Springs Hotel.
Reservations required.