Hello fellow travellers - hope you can help me out. I'm
going skiing for sure next winter, and am thinking of
Canada for a change. If you could go anywhere in Canada to
ski, where would you go and why?
And if you picked Whistler, what's your second choice? I'm
looking for character, atmosphere, stunning scenery, good
nightlife, and excellent, reliable skiing.
Thanks to all who can help me!!!
[There are 12 posts - the latest was added on Sun 16 May, 15:31]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
Well, Whistler is certainly the Premier ski resort in North
America and its prices reflect it. There is actually better
skiing to be had in the BC Interior. I have links all the BC
and NW Washington ski resorts on my website at
http://www.vancouver.hm
try bigwhite in kelowna or silverstar in vernon bc
I have just come back from Canada and Whistler is probably
your best bet. Other options would be Big White in
Kelowna which has obscene amounts of snow although I cannot
speak of the nightlife as I was not staying on the mountain.
Your other option is to go to Banff in Alberta. Banff is a
cute little town set amongst the Alberta Rockies and is
surrouned by Lake Louise (most popular mountain), Sunshine
Village (great skiing and the only mountain with accomm)Mt
Norquay, and Wintergreen. Snow conditions depend on
the weather (Sunshine guarantees 100% natural snow)and
Banff was named in Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the best
places to go for Spring Break. Other rocky mountains include
Whitewater, Sun Peaks, Apex and Fernie although I personally
didn't go to any of these. Hostelling International have
cheap ski and accomm packages available, try emailing
British Columbia: info@hihostels.bc.ca
Southern Alberta: sab@hostellingintl.ca
In Canada there is a company called Moose Run Adventure
Tours which run a ski tour which takes you from Whistler to
Sun Peaks, to Big White and to Apex for one week (CDN$550
for accomm, transport & lift passes) or for as long as you
like. Check them out on www.mooserun.com or email them on
info@mooserun.com. Sorry for blabbing on so much, hope this
helps.
Although Whistler is the best place to ski in Canada, I'm
not sure if it fills the rest of your criteria. You might
want to think about going east to ski...to Mont Ste. Anne
or Mont Tremblant, both of which are in Quebec. Both have
very reliable skiing conditions, fun things to do at night,
and lots of character! Mont Ste. Anne is about 30 minutes
outside of Quebec City (which is about 3 hours drive from
Montreal), and Mont Tremblant is about an hour away from
Montreal (the best place to party in Canada!). Mont
Tremblant is a bit smaller than Mont Ste. Anne, but it has
a more commercial feel to it (much like Whistler...with the
same hotels and all!) Quebec definitely has a lot of
atmosphere and energy.
A big thank you for the helpful responses!
Even on an all-time record year, Banff & Lake Louise had
huge rocks just waiting to gouge your equipment. Go to
Nelson, Whitewater or Fernie or Rossland or Revelstoke
etc.etc.
Banff is a great choice, very close to many ski resorts
with a great night life. There are lots of bars etc. filled
with skiers and snowboarders. There are a couple of great
hostels in the area, the one at Lake Louise is awesome.
There is tons of shopping and other activites like ice
climbing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing etc. Also there
are buses to take you to the ski hills every morning and
return you in the evening. Your also an hour out of Calgary
if you feel you need some city scenes!
Your best bet is Banff. You have the option of at least 5
mountains within an hour and a half of the town (Fortress,
Lake Louise, Sunshine, Norquay, Nakiska) and if you want to
venture further west, go into the Windermere Valley (BC)
where there are another 4 mountains within less than 2 hours
drive (Panorama, Fernie, Kimberley, White Tooth in Golden).
Even those mountains are not more than 2 or 3 hours from
Banff. Banff also has a phenomenal night life.
whistler/blackcomb-2 huge mountains side by side-sick
boarding and skiing and close to vancouver. roadtripping
to big white, rossland, fernie, sun peaks easily accesible
by bus or car!!!!!!!!!
have a wicked winter!
If you want to go to Whistler, bring lots of money and a
rain coat.
I have skied all my life (began at age 3 in New Hampshire-
I haved skied all of New England and go out West every year)
and the single biggest letdown for me ski-wise was a trip
to Whistler. In my humble opinion it is highly overrated as
a destination resort. If I lived there and could pick my
days, then I imagine it would be sweet, but when you are
there for a week and that's it, you are rolling the dice.
It is only 7000 feet high or so, and not far from the
coast. It was cloudy every day and rained, yes rained, more
than once. When it rains, it doesn't necessarily mean that
it is raining at the top. In fact, the top was sunny and
had good snow. My complaint is, if you have only one trip
to make each season, it sucks out loud to spend that kind
of money to ski just the top of a mountain.
Last year I went to Lake Louise, staying in Banff. Next to
Alta Utah, this was my favorite place. There was plenty of
variety, sunny, beautiful scenery. I can't say enough good
things about it. And best of all, it does not get the hype
that Whistler does, so it is MUCH cheaper. If you stay in
Banff, there are frequent coach buses to get you to the
mountain- the price is included in the lift ticket if you
buy a multi-day pass. Banff offers a range of lodging and
eating choices, and is a lot of fun.
I would also look into Fernie and Panorama. DO yourself a
favor and skip Whistler. These other resorts will give you
a better time. Is Aspen or Vail the best place to ski in
the US? Of course not, but they get the most attention so
people go there. Same thing with Whistler.
Mt St-Anne in Quebec near Quebec city. The night live is
excellent in Quebec city. People are great.
Second choice Check out Banff and Jasper. You want scenery
you got scenery and the night life in Banff is not half bad!
Banff has more to offer as far as skiing is concerned!
Sunshine
Lake Louise
and many more!
why not travel to beautiful Vancouver Island and go to mt
washington in the comox valley... have fun