J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by steverandomno

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.

Vincentus,

Glad you had a good time.

Next time check out Kicking Horse and Revelstoke as well.

Hi Vince,

I've been there a few times. It's a great resort. I'll try to answer some of your questions.

Vincentus wrote:
So, temps?
Should be good in late Feb early March. Below -15 would be unusual for that time of the year but not unheard of.

The conditions?
Great snow record. Good groomers, but even better wide open ungroomed powder and interesting terrain of various difficulties, easily accessible steep and deep tree runs (right off a certain lift, ask a local!)

The visibility?
Sometimes it can be bad. Invest in a good pair of goggles with a very light yellow, orange or pink tinted lens. There are clear markers to follow from the top of some lifts when when it gets bad.

The best spot for Apres, formal and of course informal?
Not the best place for apre-ski. Not to say that there isn't any, it's just that there is nothing special. There are a few decent bars (and one massive one). Not exactly a gourmet paradise. The on hill take away Pizza (from the bakery underneath the day-lodge) is good. The on mountain deli is also good. The expensive restaurants are poor value for money in my view.

The best place for ski hire?
Wouldn't know, although the ski service from the workshop in the day lodge is good.

The best instructors names?
Don't know but the ski school has an excellent reputation.

Vince

Have a blast.

Tony_H

Thanks, our posts crossed in the ether.


PS - we had the same issue last year in Lake Tahoe. We found the best option was to buy chains from one of the big car maintanance places (similar to Halfords). Many of them do a deal where they will allow you to return them for a full refund if you haven't used them. Apparently, many people do this in SF and the stores seem to be fully aware and happy with this arrangement.

Digging around a bit on the internet, I see some comments implying a legal requirement to have winter tyres in Geneva from 1 Nov. This would mean that cars hired from the Swiss side of Geneva airport need to have tyres fitted already.

Since our car looks like it is booked for pickup from the Swiss side, we might be OK.

Can anybody confirm this?

We have a hire car booked with Hertz from Geneva airport for a weekend to Val Thorens during mid December.

-Do the rental places at Geneva airport equip their cars with winter tyres?
-If not, does anybody know the least expensive way of hiring/buying snow chains?

I expect that we will not need them at all, but it would be nice to have them just in case.

Val Thorens is looking good too...

http://www.valthorens.com/winter-en/live/livecams--webcams.61.name-mc_picto3.nb0.html


They also have a helpful countdown on the webcam to show you how many milliseconds there are till opening. :?:

I'm there in mid Dec for a weekend. Getting quite excited!

Sunshine village is opening with 80cm + base today:

http://www.skibanff.com/conditions/webcam3still.php

Looks like being one of the best opening days for ages.

Hope this is a good omen for the season, we will be there in March.