Banff

Hi All

We arrive in banff on the 31st of december, it's our first skiing out of Europe and just wondered as to which ski out of the local 3 is everyones favourite?

noddy

My favourite is Lake Louise by a long shot, snow isn't quite as good as Sunshine but terrain=++++++++. Norquay is my second favourite because it is steep and lift queues do not exist. Sunshine is my least favourite as it is quite flat as far as things go-not much excitement.

Hi Noddy
It is difficult to advise as you don't give a clue as to your ability,transprot arrangements or length of stay.
Norquay is tiny if you are not an expert.
Lake Louise is great but the beginner green runs get very busy.
Sunshine has not much for experts ( except delirium dive - which is for Experts with a capital E) but the snow is good.
If you can try Nakiska (Intermediate / deserted ) and Kicking Horse (Expert / Fab restaurant ) for a day trip for a change of scenery.
If you have a car the drive to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway is awesome.
It might be extremely cold - the word extremely is not used lightly in Banff's respect.

The restaurant in Kicking Horse is unreal, would be awesome if you got a clear day but it is even better when it is puking!! :D

Expect -20 as the norm over new year and you will be fortunate not to see -30 something/

Hi Noddy,
Its a long way to go not to try all three of the main areas and one or two others if you have time, as said above.
One word of caution about Jasper, driving there and back in a day is a non starter, and if the weather is bad it is a very serious trip.
I dont know if they still do it, but when I worked in Banff there were British tour operators recommending that people undertook this drive, from Calgary to Jasper, straight after a transatlantic flight, jet lagged, in the height of winter!!!

Norquay might be good for your first day if you are tired from the trip and dont want a full days skiing.

As to Sunshine and Lake Louise, I prefer L. Louise but ive had some great skiing at Sunshine too. People will tell you that Sunshine is closer.
Bus to Lake Louise is about 45mins, then straight onto your skis and then a chairlift.
Bus to Sunshine is about 20 mins followed by 20 min gondola ride.

So in terms of the time it takes to actually start skiing there is little difference.

You dont mention your ability, but a day trip to Panorama to heli-ski is worth thinking about. You dont need to be an expert.

Thanks for the info, we are both intermediate level and cant wait to get on the snow.

Noddy

[b]Hi Noddy, Im soooo jealous ! I had a Banff holiday booked until zoom ailines went down ! Wahhhh... Have skiied there for years and Lake Louise is absolutely the best place ever. Sunshine is good but can be very cold indeed.Norquay isnt the best place for beginners but its only a few minuts away and worth a go for intermediates. The long Green Wiwaxy at L.L. gets pretty busy but theres a couple of good blues that run off it. You will so enoy it, the scenery is awesome from the top of the world, and the backbowls are something else.Loads of places to eat and drink on the slopes and downtown Banff is a hive of activity in the evenings.
Have a fab time . Im off to Neiderau this year now, but next year hope to return to Banff when the airlines have sorted themselves out !

Love Ava xxx

Very pleased this thread was started. Just got a fantastic offer from BA teling me if I book an award flight (air miles) of which i have 1/4 million , I can fly for half the required number. So Germany to Canada and back is 25,000 miles :shock: I can fly First Class for 75,000. So thats what I intend to do. As always availability is the problem. Wanted to fly to Vancouver and ride Whistler, but dates look dicey. So I started looking elsewhere, and looked at Nakiska, twoshortplanks mentioned it. Has anyone got experience? Will it keep me entertained for 5 or 6 days? I guess I am advanced beginner/intermediate level.