Banff or Whistler???

THAT is the question! We are a family of 4 living in Montreal. Kids have been skiing for 12 years. We want to spend the first week of March out West. Banff or Whistler?? :?:

Hiya Felicaro, welcome to the forum.

OK, I have not (yet) been to Whistler, but I was in Banff two seasons ago. Personally I really liked the place, but there are some things you need to be aware of if you don't already know.

When skiing from Banff, you need to catch a bus out to one of three ski areas. Norquay is the closest at about a 10 minute ride, but is the smallest of the ski areas. Next up was Sunshine Mountain at about 30 minutes ride. It is the biggest area if my memory is correct and was without doubt my favourite area. Finally you have Lake Louise at about an hour run. Lake Louise is also pretty big and some great skiing here including the world cup downhill run.

Don't let the buses put you off, the journey goes pretty quick and they are included on your lift pass. Gives you a chance to sit and relax on the way back and to digest your breakfast in the morning.

Banff town was great, there are tons of bars and restaurants, plus plenty of shops, albeit fairly expensive, to keep the ladies busy :D There are also other things to see and do, such as the Sulphur Springs and the frozen waterfall.

I would definitely go back to Banff, but I would ensure I was central in the town. But I also really want to try Whistler, so I guess this isn't really going to help you decide :twisted:

All I can say to end it, is that you will have a good time in Banff and there is some pretty good skiing.

Whatever you decide, you will have a great time )

Hi Felicaro, again welcome.

I concur with FQ, Banff is very pretty with great restaurants, hotels and shops. Loved it at Christmas as is the only time I have been. Don't worry about the bus rides as FQ said it is a nice rest at the end of the day. Be aware that they have changed the bus pick up points, it used to be many hotels on Banff avenue, I now understand there are only three pick up points so maybe a trek carrying skis if you do not have a car !

Sorry can't comment on Whistler, never been !

TP

Felicaro,

I am the opposite to the above posts. I have snowboarded in Whistler but not Banff. Whistler was probably one of the best resorts I have ever been to, it has everything you need ranging from the cheap food outlets to the 5* plus restaurants. The town its self is like something from a postcard and has been designed in a very efficient manner.

I however I stayed in 'staff housing' further up the mountain as I had a friend working a season at the time, so needless to say my accommodation was not 5* (far from it).

The skiing is fantastic, well maintained and vast. They have a selection of parks (If that is your thing) and the ski school is fantastic. When you get fresh snow the powder days are some of the best I have ever had and the back country was the same. All in all I would recommend Whistler as a resort and for the skiing as it caters for all budgets and skill levels. From the above posts it sounds like to have a choice between two very similar resorts.

I have only been to Whistler but from what I heard about Banff they are pretty similar in all respects apart from:

Banff = Bus ride to slopes wherever you are staying.
Whistler = No need for buses.

I would, without a doubt, choose Whistler over Banff...If out there for only a week or two, the last thing I would want to do is waste 1.5 hours a day travelling to and from the slopes. That's valuable drinking time! :lol:

Hi Felicaro!
As you've probably gathered, both Whistler and Banff are great ski destinations and you'll have a great time picking either one.
One bit of info: Banff's ski bus service (free with lift ticket) has been re-expanded for 2011 and now offers pick-up at 9 different locations in Banff. More info & schedule available via skilouise.com.
Hope you & your family have a great vacation! (and yes, full disclosure, I work for Banff Tourism).

Banfflakelouise,

We would never of guessed ;)

Felicaro

Whistler is undoubtedly one of the super-resorts that any skier has to try before they pack it in.

But there is one downside. It's notorious for wet, foggy weather at resort level - at any time of the year.