Canada Vs. Europe...

Hi, I am planning to spend a few months in BC, Canada next season - predominantlly based around Fernie, with various outings to the likes of Kicking Horse & Red Mountain.

I am interested to hear from anyone who has experienced preferably whole seasons in both Canadian & European resorts - to understand your perspective of the experiences.

Obviously the key European resorts generally cover far greater areas via lift & piste than the Canadian resorts, but the off piste / back country also obviously plays a massive part.

In essence I guess I am keen to understand whether the Canadian resorts offer enough to keep an advanced intermediate snowboarder satisfied for the majority of the season?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I'm off for my first Canadian experience a fortnight on Saturday so I'll give you feed back then.

I've only ever spent 2 weeks in canada (fernie) and would definately say it's the best fortnights skiing i've ever had. Snow was incredible, pistes were great, free tour guides put on by the resort, no cues and great variety of runs from greens to double blacks :shock: and no language barrier. (This also means the ladies will love your accent!)

There was a cool bar in the town (i believe it was called the grand central?) that had friendly staff and an open mic night ) was cheap too!!

Didn't really do much off pisteing so wouldn't be able to speak on that front but i would definately rather spend a season in Canada than europe.

Although there was that cramped 9 hour flight, 3 hour transfer and the jet lag. Well worth the sacrifice for a season though i think.

Spent four weeks in Fernie; desperate to leave by the end when the snow had turned to slush and new runs were closing every minute (only in mid-March,I'm afraid).

Visited other resorts as well (Kimberley, White Mountain across the border in Montana) and have to say although they have some top-class ski-ing, they are very small by the standards of the major European ski circuses.10 days is more than enough in each; a whole season might be a bit too much. You might be better off in the Lake Louise/Banff area.

I spent many seasons in N. America before getting too homesick and returned to Europe.

The main differences are this:

N. American resorts are more snowboarder friendly. Think benches to strap in at the top of the lifts, many more natural hits on the slopes. Also we are not nearly as outnumbered there.

N. American resorts are more efficient. Lifties actually work there; a 6 man lift has 6 people put on it whenever possible.... no middle-aged men sucking endlessly on Galousies oblivious to the lift line mayhem.

The slopes are quieter in N. America. This is purely down to the smaller volume of people.

Alpine prices are too high... and with the weak dollar at the moment....

Okay now for the Europe positives. Huge resorts, but lets be honest - they are far too big to be practical. Old charm that you don't get in N. America. All those lovely languages to listen to.


Backcountry and off piste possiblities are always the same everywhere: local knowledge is pow(d)er.


get over there; save Europe for the later years

I havent done a season in Europe before but have just spent the majority of this season in Canada. Skied Europe many times before though.

The snow is generally a lot better in Canada and more reliable at all levels. They also get a lot more of it. Lift lines (if ever you come across one in Canada) are a lot more relaxed. In Europe theres people all over the tips/tails of your skis fighting for space. Canadians queue Very boarder friendly everywhere in Canada, as chaletskovakia said they have lots of benches at the top for boarders to strap in. The whole skiing/boarding attitude is a lot more relaxed and i love that!!

Next season ill be out in Big White again working, so will ski the opening day to the closing day. Kicking Horse and Red Mountain are also at the top of my "to ski next year" list :D . Revelstoke and Whistler are the other 2. Once you have been out there you wont want to come back, trust me :lol:

Bennyboy, How did you find prices in Canada compared, esp things like eating out, groceries, beer ?
If they're stiil like US prices, there would be quite a difference.

Trencher

I'll let everyone else argue what is better (just back from a season in Banff-well most of) and go to Revelstoke!!! It will not dissappoint!