J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by steverandomno

My favourite resort is opening early!

From the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort Website http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/press-releases.aspx?mode=detail&id=2011-12eearly_opening

"November 23rd, 2011 Golden, BC. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has received over 70cm of new snow in the past 48hrs! With a recent snow storm cycle covering the region, the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada TM is excited to announce an early opening with a bonus weekend of operations Friday December 2nd to Sunday December 4th, followed by seven day a week operations commencing on Friday December 9th."

"Two Alpine Bowls are confirmed to open on Friday December 2nd, with skiing / riding available from the top of the mountain to the base. Open alpine terrain will consist of Bowl Over and Crystal Bowl, including the south facing slopes of Redemption Ridge. The Golden Eagle Express Gondola and Stairway to Heaven Chair will be in operation for the weekend. More snowfall is in the forecast over the next week, making the opening of additional terrain possible."

Drive the Icefields parkway
- see bow summit lookout
- stop off at the athabasca glacier
- see Num-Ti-Jah lodge (stay the night if possible)
- there are many other sight seeing opportunities on this drive

Banff :
-have a drink in the Banff springs Hotel
-take a look at the Bow falls
-drive to Lake Minnewanka and Johnson Lake
-Sulphur Mountain Gondola as previously mentioned
-loads of nice walks and hikes (e.g. the trail around tunnel mountain is easy and nice)
-lake Louise is a 45 min drive from banff
-have a drink in the Chateau Lake Louise
-walk around Lake Louise
-moraine lake is supposed to be amazing and it is not accessible by car in winter - there are some good walks around here
-http://www.whitemountainadventures.com/ run tours up to Sunshine Village for spectacular alpine walks


Jasper:
- Whistler mountain gondola
- Loads of nice walks and hikes

Calgary etc...:
- Between Banff and Calgary, the 1A highway is much more interesting than the Hwy 1 and passes ghost lake reservoir and recreation area
- Has a great aircraft museum


Other:
- The drive from Banff to Revelstoke is spectacular
- Emerald lake is definitely worth the detour (and is very near Burgess shale if you are interested in that sort of thing)
- lunch at the Eagle's Eye Restaurant at Kickinghorse Mountain resort (check for opening times during September)
- Kickinghorse has some of the best lift serviced downhill mountain biking available but be sure to get adequate insurance

Vancouver:
- loads of nice walks around Stanley park
- Great shopping
- Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
www.vancouverchinesegarden.com/
-Grouse mountain
-Lynn Canyon park

snapzzz + MattSki_score

That is terrible.

I have been skiing alone a couple of times, once to Banff and the other to Kicking Horse. It was great. Skiing is one type of holiday where it is very easy to meet people. Consider a trip to one of the North American resorts. Without the language barrier (well most of the time), it will be easier to make friends. Also, the bars seem to be more geared up for single people to sit at the bar and have a meal and chat.

Alternatively you could do a road trip - hire a car and move with the snow from place to place, staying in cheap hotel/motels.

Here is some music to get you in the mood :D:lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTfwcLdP5Xk

:-)

I'd much rather be in Chamonix than Val T If there's no snow. The town centre has much more going on. You can always take a trip up the Aiguille du midi and enjoy the view, drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel or just enjoy the restaurants.

Is there a J2Walk (or a J2Drink)?

What else is there to do in Val T?

Unless they get 1m in the next four weeks - it might be the first time I don't pack my skis and boots for a 'ski' trip.