J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by steverandomno

Presumably you have a visa for more than 3 months stay. I would check with the Canadian High Commission before relying on the advice of your mate.

solo wrote:Anyone planning on being in Whistler this winter?? I plan to be there for the winter and like to meet up with as many people as possible.

If anyone is going to the games, let me know. My friends stunning 7 bedroom chalet is available still and he's taking offers on it.

T-minus 5 months till the season kicks off!!

I'll open the bidding at 18 Loonies for a week, but only if you throw in a free can of spiced pork and meat.

It's doable, but it's a long drive. About 2-3 hours depending on conditions.
You should check out Big White also. About the same distance in the opposite direction.

On the way to Revelstoke, check out this unusual bar/grill built inside an old wood burner : http://www.1075kiss.com/morning/free-plug-friday/144-the-burner-bar-a-grill

Hi,

Compared to Banff, Jasper is quieter and has a more secluded and remote feel to it. There is only realy one skiing resort option nearby, which is Marmot Basin, owned by the same company who own Sunshine Village near Banff. It is a 10 - 20 min ride out of town and has some decent skiing (lots of gladed runs if I remember correctly).

It is well worth hiring a decent car and driving the icefields parkway one day. Probably one of the most spectacular drives in the world. At that time of the year, the parkway will be deserted, so be carefull and watch the weather. It is a 3-4 hr drive to Lake Louise at the southern end with no gas stations open in-between.

Be aware that there is a good handfull of decent places to eat and drink in Jasper. However, the nightlife is very low key. The drive to the west of Jasper towards Mt Robson (Canada's highest) is also spectacular.

Have fun.

BTW - Pablo - is your pic of Delirium?

Thats a great video.

Any idea exactly where it was shot? Where is the cable car at the begining?
Movie is called Realtime by Level 1 productions. Their site says it was in Hokkaido, Japan but that does not narrow it down too much. Any ideas?

Heading to Japan this season so this was a nice segment 8)

Just found the promo for the full movie - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MZEpuKR8Ek

Panorama is nice, but I agree with Pablo; it is a bit early to be sure of snow.

Panorama only opens around the 12th Dec. Big White, on the other hand, opens around the 5th in a normal year.

There are loads of ski-in/out options and there is more of a resort base than Panorama.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_White_Ski_Resort

The skiing is well suited to intermediate skiers. Big White probably has the most varied and interesting terrain for intermediate skiers in the region.

There is a wide range of accomodation from budget to expensive. We have stayed at the Inn at Big White (budget-mid range) and the Sundance (top of the range). Both were good. The Sundance has fantastic (new for 07-08 season) units and a great ski-in/out position.

Have you thought about buying? Although it will be slightly more expensive than hiring at first, it won't be much more and it will pay off after a couple of seasons.

I don't mean going for the latest and greatest skis on the market, that would cost a fortune. Try to find a place that sells new skis a few seasons old, or check out ebay. I have seen old Rossignol B2's for 100 $ in the US. Be carefull when buying to be certain whether the skis come with bindings or not.

Very few ski hire places carry the latest models, and when they do, charge a premium. So you will end up with better gear than you would get from the ski hire place. Poles can be picked up very cheaply.

You can still hire your kids boots and have them fitted to their own skis properly by the rental shop.

Buying skis needn't be expensive.