Banff Area Ski Trip Jan 22-27

[jnmcarroll]

We are heading to the Banff area later this month for a managers convention that my dh has. So of course while he is in meetings all day, where do you think I'm gonna be? Hee hee:p This will by my first time visiting the area in the winter, so I was wondering if anyone had advice on where to ski? Or any other pointers, like great restaurants or things that I shouldn't miss. (I have been there in August a few years back and hit all the tourist sites so I don't care to do that again.) The company plans a few events for the wives to attend, but I think I will have some time to explore on my own.

From my online research it looks like it is between Lake Louise and Sunshine. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cyn]

Banff has some great skiing! We've been there twice, including last year.

First, be prepared for cold. It can get pretty nasty in January. Also, since this is a national park, development is more limited, so don't expect a huge array of shopping and dining opps. That said, the town of Banff has interesting shops and restaurants. There's a decent Greek seafood place if you're into fish, and great pizza not far away. Anyway, there are lots of restaurants in town, so don't worry.

Now the important part: the skiing. Lake Louise is a big mountain with lots of choices. A good way to get an idea of the layout of the mountain is to take one of the free guided tours that are offered a couple of times a day. You just meet up with the guides at the base and find a group that matches your ability. The tour lasts a couple of hours.
Sunshine has a very different feel. You park your car, then take a gondola to the mountain base. There's a lots of wide open above tree line skiing, which is really fun. There are also some gnarly steeps at Goat's Eye, along with more wooded trails for all abilities. Free mountain tours are available here as well, and it's a good idea to take one if you've never been before.
If visibility is poor, I'd head for Lake Louise, because Sunshine can get downright scary in a whiteout or thick clouds.
Here's another tip for Sunshine: get to the parking lot as early as you can (it fills up quickly) and grab your breakfast in the lodge there before heading to the gondola. Last year they had great breakfast deals and you could change in the building too.
Have fun and feel free to email with more questions!

 

[jnmcarroll]

Thanks for the tips Cyn. I have never skiied above the treeline before, so that is something I definately want to do. Good to know about Sunshine in whiteout conditions. I will print this off and take it with me on our trip.

I have never been to a mountain that offers a free tour to orient you. I have a hard time giving up ski time to take a tour. I guess I'm just not a group lemming type person. (Or maybe I am just stubborn?) I read maps well, so do you think I could get along w/o the tour? But I will check it out if you think it is a must do.

 

[cyn]

Both mountains are quite easy to navigate. We never did take the Sunshine tour, but I took the one at Lake Louise because I was skiing alone that day and it was my first time there. I ended up meeting some really nice people, so for me it was worth it.
Try to sample both areas, though. Each one has its merits, for sure.

There's a third area, Mt Norquay, but it isn't nearly as big as the other two, and it seemed kind of dark, so we didn't bother going.

 

[jnmcarroll]

I really appreciate your ideas! My dh has been emailing colleagues around Calgary to get ideas as well. The consensus he has been getting is that Norquay is not a favorite. So I think I will just try to check out LL and Sunshine.

I didn't think about meeting other people on the tour. Maybe I will give it a try if none of the other manager's wives are skiiers. I am hoping to find a new ski diva buddy in the manager's group though, because this is a yearly meeting. It would be great to hook up with someone that I can ski with every year.

Now my dh is talking about staying an extra day or two so he can ski too. (My enthusiasm must be rubbing off on him.) He gets to go back up and ski there next month with a buddy though, so I won't feel too bad if he can't get out with me.

 

[cyn]

I actually met a woman from my native Quebec when I took the tour at LL. We got to chatter away in French - even on the crazy T-bar they have that is scary steep but fun.
Anyway, I think you will love both mountains. Have fun and please tell us how it went!