canada or usa for 2011

I know its early but I'm looking for some advice on where to go for 2011. Canada or usa? And which resorts are best? I'm a snowboarder and have spent the last 2 years in europe. Looking to spend 10 days out there in early january, after reasonably priced resort with good off piste! Any advice much appreciated )

I'll be interested in the answer to this one also. Need to do North America soon, been thinking Lake Louise, but open to any good recommendations.

It is a bit difficult to make broad generalizations because there is a lot of variety in both Canada and the US.

You could generalize and say that the resorts in the US are a bit more commercialized, so that Vail, Beaver Creek, and Squaw Valley and Tahoe are more commercial and more expensive than the Canadian national park resorts, such as Banff/Lake Louise. However, somebody will then point out that the smaller resorts like Crystal Mountain, WA are quiet when compared to Whistler/Blackcomb.

The exchange rate is going to play a big part, with the pound at a historic low against the Canadian dollar. However, the resorts in Canada tend to be cheaper to begin with.

For a varied taste of Canadian skiing I would recommend a road trip from Vancouver to Calgary. Hire a car one way and stop off at Whistler Blackcomb, then choose from Big White/Silver Star (in Kelowna), Revelstoke (6,000 ft vertical skiing - the largest in N America + deserted), Kickinghorse (some of the best terrain, great slackcountry, + very good value for money), then finish it off with a few days in Banff from where it is easy to get to Lake Louise and Sunshine Village. The drive from Vancouver to Banff via Kelowna is about a day and a half non-stop. So it is easily achievable as a road trip spreadout over a couple of weeks.

Steverandomno is correct about the exchange rate. Two years ago at 2CAD to the £ Canada was affordable. Not cheap, but good value. This year I was getting around 1.55 and things were starting to look a little expensive. Not their fault of course.

The other consideration is lift pass! which at around $75 a day becomes pretty expensive at under 1.50 to the pound(1.44 and heading lower today!!!!!!)

I will certainly be having second thoughts for next year unless sterling improves, and most of my ski buddies are thinking the same. Could be some good deals around with the big companies for the above reasons.

Just remember lift pass cost and exchange rate before making a decision I'd say.

Don't know about Canada, but in the US, it's often possible to get lift passes at discount rates from stores in the nearest large city. I normally pay about $50 for a $75 pass at REI or Costco.

Trencher, is that for a day? I don't pay that for an international pass in Zermatt which is widely regarded amongst the most expensive in Europe.

$75 would be a common full price one day lift pass at a big resort, if you don't find a way to get a discount.

tino_11 wrote:Trencher, is that for a day? I don't pay that for an international pass in Zermatt which is widely regarded amongst the most expensive in Europe.

Banff/Lake Louise lift pass is in the top 5 most expensive passes in the world.

It is worth remembering that whilst it is so expensive you also get 3 modern extensive ski resorts with mostly high speed lifts and expensive on and controlled off piste terrain.