 Poster: A snowHead
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If you're happy with driving, which seems to be the case, then maybe go somewhere you can drive around. That way you can maybe avoid the crowds, find the best snow, and see a bit more of the continent than if you're just rounded up by some tour operator and parked in some Disneyland resort. Which may be a very good resort, but may or may not be what you want, and most certainly isn't typical.
I don't find a lot of hassle going to North America generally - there's the extra ETA/ESTA hassle, but we're going to have those for travelling to Europe soon too. The main issue is additional flight length/ cost, and associated jet lag. As far as "being there", perhaps it's because I spend more time there than in Europe, but the language is easy to understand and accommodation easy to find.
Resort sizes (skiable area, number of lifts) appear very different between Europe and America, but different organisation means that's a less significant issue than at first appearance. Riding alone in-bounds off-piste is one of the best things ever.
You will probably get a cheaper deal with "an operator", and for a first visit it may also reduce stress, especially with a family. It's really easy to sort things yourself though, and more flexible.
There's a vast range of places to go, and they're mostly structured very differently from the Alps. Whistler is a "good introduction" because it's very like a European resort, as are some of the big USA resorts. After that it depends what you like - Revelstoke and Whistler are very different places, both of which I visit a fair bit, but they're very different experiences. I can't tell you which you'd prefer.
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| whistler is huge and can be huge cost , not been since vail resort took over |
It's still the same. The locals reckon that the Epic pass has made more of a difference, shifting the ability level down somewhat, increasing the numbers on easy trails but leaving more of the good stuff for them. It's probably wishful thinking.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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whistler is huge and can be huge cost , not been since vail resort took over
It's still the same. The locals reckon that the Epic pass has made more of a difference, shifting the ability level down somewhat, increasing the numbers on easy trails but leaving more of the good stuff for them. It's probably wishful thinking. |
have been a regular at whistler for a while now and have to say I was worried by the vail corp take over , but I would say my fears were mainly unfounded , main changes are being seen around the village with a general uplift in the feel of the place , the epic pass has definately had an effect on the dynamic at whistler , but the good stuff still gets shredded dam quick , the new lift access on Blackcomb is a definite plus for me
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Whistler is awesome. Big vertical, big resort with North American service. But, it's low and near the coast so it often rains.
Banff is much more.snow sure, awesome scenery bit bloody cold.
Before Europe.sorted its queue issues, North America was worth the trek. Now, I'm not so sure.
Colorado powder is something else though on the relative safety of the bowls.
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For us as a family of three it’s always been much cheaper for what we want in Banff to do it DIY. I think that’s because what we are looking for is harder to find with tour ops. Basically self catering is limited in Banff, something to do with the National Park and subletting. So we look for hotels with suite rooms, not always available with tour ops. It’s certainly very easy to organise it yourself.
Why do we keep returning to Banff? Well it just seems to work for us. It always feels more of a holiday, with lots of other stuff to do, especially outdoors. The quality of tuition for children is superb with small groups. The slopes have a mixture of tree lined slopes and open bowls. And now I consider myself a decent intermediate I love the ungroomed safe inbounds, yet ‘off piste’ stuff. MrsJ who’s just as good as me but less confident loves the open empty slopes. I love skiing the Alps, and I do miss the restaurants and apres ski but something about the Canadian experience keeps drawing us back
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