 Poster: A snowHead
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Went tubing at Norquay with the family, that was a laugh. And IIRC free or cheap with the SkiBig3 pass?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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I went tubing there with my 6yr son one year. Most terrifying morning of the trip. Give me a black mogul field anytime
Of course the boy loved it!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Daughter reminds me: have you had beaver tails yet, they are a must.
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| Orange200 wrote: |
| Daughter reminds me: have you had beaver tails yet, they are a must. |
Bo but I have seen them.... might give them a try later today!
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| Gaz_H wrote: |
| Orange200 wrote: |
| Daughter reminds me: have you had beaver tails yet, they are a must. |
No but I have seen them.... might give them a try later today! |
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So yesterday we decided to go to Norquay. Its one of the 3 area on the SkiBig3 pass, but the smallest and less popular. Not a bad thing in my opinion. The main reason we decided on yesterday was the temperature at a -26 high!. Easier to get back if needed. They advertise is as 7 mins, more like 15 in winter. For those driving a hire vehicle..... there are airpins on the way up and almost certainly will have snow on the.... I'd get the bus.
On useful thing I haven't mention about the 'stations' is that in the lodges they all have rentals and shop with ski gear, clothes mainly. So handy if you need an emergency buy.
Norquay: it's advertises 57 runs, which is true but half of them are either black or double diamond!
It's a single mountain, unlike Sunshine and LL, which is split into two the left hand side uses a 2 person lift called A. That gets you to the majority of the Blacks very steep but wide and mainly under used. The right hand side is a mix of green (euro blue) and blue (euro red) and the occasional blacks there are some really nice runs here.
One thing to note is the only food place is at the base..... so when you get all the way to the right and you need to have a break you have to come back and go back out again.
The Temp: it was cold as mentioned above and something I have limited experience in. I had countless layers on and even then I wa getting a chill.... after a short while out my finger and toes where feeling it. They were warning of frost bite, so we took about three stops during a short day We skied from 09.30 .... to 2.30 and after that the runs where mostly in the shade. The forecast for today is colder. At a high of -28. 
The end of the day saw 'one last run'. The teenagers wanted to do the Lone Pine run.... a wide steep mogul field facing the Lodge..... looks hard but could be one of those the perspective makes it look that way. I had to go with them as a duty of care thing as a parent..... I really struggled mainly with the fitness. He mogul werent of the hard variety, they were just huge piles of powder, i just could link more than 2 turns together.
I've come to the point were my 15 year old daughter, on her 4th week got down about 10 mins before me and only fell once. For context she couldn't do the black down into La Thuile last year!
At 54 my days of 'conquering' that run are over.
I really liked Norquay.... quiet with some good runs and good food in the.lodge
Evening, we did venture out but on 1 block on Banff ave to the Old Spaghetti Factory..... nice food, couple of pints..... cost about 120 for 3 adults, with 4 pints a couple of lemonades and one dessert.
As the temp has forecast to be lower at a high of -28 we have decided not to go out today which is handy as my lad really wanted to watch the Utd v Barcelone match which is on at 1pm. So sensible dad head on re the risk and a happy son.
So a lie in today to rest the tired body! 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Gaz_H, after a dismal start with lost luggage you seem to have done brilliantly! I don't think I could cope with that cold.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Gaz_H, we are in Banff at present and the cold has defeated us as well- we’re also having a day in town.
We’ve been coming to Banff for about 20 years now. We have only had one other week with this extreme cold- lots of times people have been saying “you just missed it“ but we’ve been lucky.
Our impressions this year (we have been away for a few few years due to the pandemic) is that there is a lot of development at the top if Banff Ave- but good to see affordable housing being built (site next to the High School).
The other notable thing is how expensive it is- even with a 1.65 CAD to UKP exchange rate. It feels like eating out is 30% higher, but that’s not à scientific analysis - just a feeling.
Glad you’re enjoying it- it’s a special place for us (esp skiing on Goats Eye).
But boy do I hope it warms up before we go home in a few week’s time!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Was -20 or so when I was there. Miserable at times, but when you’re only there for 10 days, needs must!
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| Gaz_H wrote: |
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I bought some new Volkl Kendos in the summer sale
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that Black that faces the lodge was at the horrendous end of the scale.... the powder moguls were ridiculous!
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One thing you might have noticed by now is that skis in North America tend to be quite different from Europe, reflecting the snow conditions and approach to grooming on each side of the Atlantic. On powder days, most North American skiers are on rocker skis with at least 105mm at the waist, and often nearly as long as the skier is tall. No disrespect to your skis, but maybe you should try a day's ski demo of some fat powder skis - the black might have been a lot easier with that equipment.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the reverse is also true. You really wouldn't want those 105mm rockers on a steep, icy black in Europe - that's exactly what the Kendos were made for.
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You know it makes sense.
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Received an email from LL this morning warning of lift delays as they can’t run the equipment until the temperature rises a bit- estimated minus 40 with windchill, air temp minus 29.
They are selling full day lift passes at half day prices and offering FREE hot drinks all day as people may need to wait indoors at times and everyone needs to take regular breaks.
You know it’s bad when you see that!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Jonny Jones wrote: |
| Gaz_H wrote: |
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I bought some new Volkl Kendos in the summer sale
...
that Black that faces the lodge was at the horrendous end of the scale.... the powder moguls were ridiculous!
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One thing you might have noticed by now is that skis in North America tend to be quite different from Europe, reflecting the snow conditions and approach to grooming on each side of the Atlantic. On powder days, most North American skiers are on rocker skis with at least 105mm at the waist, and often nearly as long as the skier is tall. No disrespect to your skis, but maybe you should try a day's ski demo of some fat powder skis - the black might have been a lot easier with that equipment.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the reverse is also true. You really wouldn't want those 105mm rockers on a steep, icy black in Europe - that's exactly what the Kendos were made for. |
Thanks and noted about the skis..... but also refer to he note on my daughter who made it down, quick time on pair of 76 wide Salomon
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Not much open at Louise or Sunshine this morning as the temps hit -30, so headed for Norquay and had a fantastic day.
Empty slopes and didn’t feel too cold in the sun.
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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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Hi Everyone..... quiet one yesterday, rest day coz of the temps. We were going only do a half day anyway because of the UTD match that was very stupidly arranged with a 1pm KO time.... just no consideration!
Decided to go for a massage at Massage Banff. U managed to get a 10am appointment. It was very good, highly recommended and really sorted my legs out.
Did a bit of window shopping to fill the gap until the match. To be honest the cold was painful just walking down the high street!
Watched the match is a pub/restaurant celebrating The Elk & Oarsman..... really good place, great beers, good food and great TV set up. Plus the owners are English I believe so one of the only places in town were they'll put the footy on. Its all Ice Hockey..
Skip forward a few hours and had our evening meal in Magpie & Stump, a Mexican. This place was very good!
So mainly food and drink in 3 different bars.
The news last night for this morning is more low temps but rising fast. I've yet to find out as is 06.30 now
Wake the kids up, coffee and check the weather. It's our last day so really want to go back to LL under clear sky's.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Magpie and Stump - that’s the one I was trying toremember a few days back. Side street off the main drag? Margaritas in jam jars with upside down bottles of corona in them? Fond memories.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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We were at LL today too. When they opened Top of the World we shot up there- I can honestly say it was the coldest experience of my life, ever.
Anyway- pleased you and the family have made the most of what Banff has to offer. I’ve enjoyed reading your reports, and hope you all have a safe journey home.
We’re here until the middle of March so I’ll let you know if it actually does warm up as promised!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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What a day in LL..... absolutely brilliant skiing under Bluebird sky's.
Daily report to come later...... I'm having a beer now, coz I'm goosed!
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| lynnecha wrote: |
We were at LL today too. When they opened Top of the World we shot up there- I can honestly say it was the coldest experience of my life, ever.
Anyway- pleased you and the family have made the most of what Banff has to offer. I’ve enjoyed reading your reports, and hope you all have a safe journey home.
We’re here until the middle of March so I’ll let you know if it actually does warm up as promised! |
I bet we've passed each other at some point!
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@Gaz_H, no doubt. Wasn’t it great though?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
| I really liked Norquay.... quiet with some good runs and good food in the lodge |
Me and Mrs MA too. Scorned by the locals we've spoken to but seriously underrated IMO. Some great steeps and very quiet with good snow on our two visits there.
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| mountainaddict wrote: |
| Quote: |
| I really liked Norquay.... quiet with some good runs and good food in the lodge |
Me and Mrs MA too. Scorned by the locals we've spoken to but seriously underrated IMO. Some great steeps and very quiet with good snow on our two visits there. |
We were incredibly unfortunate to choose to go to Norquay on the day when locals got a $1 lift ticket (or something like that). Queues were v bad! Slopes crowded - we really did strike it unlucky. I actually liked it too!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Sorry for the lack of update. All a bit manic on the last 3 days. So there will be 2 separate posts for the last 2 days and I'll prob do a summary on my opinion of NA as it was my first time there.
The last skiing day was Friday 24th. We went to LL because it was forecast Bluebird but still in the -15 to -20 range. I wanted to see the view of the lake. I have been in summer before so wanted to see the lake, 'chateau' and the Victoria Glacier.
It did not disappoint! What a day we had. The queue were down on the precious visit, I think we got there about 10am and did 4 or 5 runs from the Glacier Express Quad..... beautiful long runs with great snow and not a lot of people. We then moved over to the small Juniper lift and did a couple of those whilst we waited for the quad lift to die down as everyone went to lunch. Then we used the gondola to get over to the Larch area. Great over there with quite a few runs to gonat and the odd black to have a crack at.
Asbis the case in Canada most of these were ungroomed but still very skiable, you just need to be aware that there will be the odd bump or strange rise n fall where you wouldn't expect it.
We lunched at Temple Lodge again and after me saying how bad it was earlier in the week. This is were the NA set up falls down. You either eat there or go all the way back to the Lodge area at the base and it a long way. To be fair it was much better, probably because there were seat and it wasn't stressful.
We spent the rest of the day cruising the runs off Ptarmigan and Larch, followed by the last runs which was top of Ptarmigan all the way to the base.... Great run back!
There all done and no injuries.... only me ego dented as my kids are catching me up..... but no issue with that!
In the evening we decided to meet up with some friends and go for Japanese at the Shoku Izakaya on Caribou. Best meal of the week and highly recommended. Check out the Sushi platter. I need to go and check the bank account though! 
The Dury is still out as to whether LL is better than Sunshine, they are both very different!
Last edited by snowHeads are a friendly bunch. on Mon 27-02-23 3:39; edited 1 time in total
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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The last day. We are being picked up at 3.30 using Banff Transporter. Really good outfit and can recommend. We booked them through SkiBig3.
We decided to have a late breakfast and go for a walk along the Bow River, up past the rapids and loop round past the Banff Spring Hotel. Temperature still very much in the minus figures, prob about -10 by the time we were out.
What a stunning walk, not the longest but beautiful views along the river. Although I'm not over impressed by the hotel..... very pretentious and just not my thing! Each to their own.
Back to hotel about 3, quick change and we're off.
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The Greek restaurant up the steps very close to the Ski Big 3 shop is worth a visit, I had a very nice meal there.
@lynnecha, agreed I also thought it was more expensive than last time even though the exchange rate was similar.
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You know it makes sense.
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In Summary, and these are my opinion..... obvs could be quite different to yours..... 
I loved it, right up there with the best places I've skied...... with the exceptions stated below
The village is the best I've been to in terms of amenities. It is a functional town after all, high schools, fire and police depth etc.
Banff is expensive..... for Canada and what Canada used to be.
Getting to the mountains.
A bit of a pain if I'm honest but once you are on the bus it's OK and the journeys are great. They are always late, queues are big (it could be because it was holiday weekend and the powder). This does have an impact on Apres.... there isn't any in the true sense..... the excitement of sking to a bar or somewhere that's just a stroll from the bottom of the gondola is non existent....... real let down for me.
The buses back - you have to be in the queue at least 15 mins before it leaves, therefore it means making plans to be down about 3 ish..... to early for me.
The skiing:
it's snow but is it the same snow.....? very light and fine snow which made for great powder. I've either been very unfortunate in Europe but I've never had it that good.
The mountain signage isn't the best and they will change something at will. From a Blue to a Black depending on conditions ..... is that a bad thing, not sure.
The biggest thing for me and something that I'd have to consider very seriously if I was to go back is the lack of mountain huts for lunch and quick breaks. Imagine, on Norquay, and it's -20, you've gone to the extremes of the piste map and you need a Hot Chocolate..... all the way back to the base. With everyone else. The same at Sunshine. LL has 1 mid mountain Lodge.
The 'inbounds' / offpiste bit. For those, like me, who are a bit wary. It's not a big deal at all! No harder or easier. It's just means there is a lot more tree skiing and loads do it, so there are lots of track to follow. Double Diamond Blacks - over hyped and a marketing thing for me. Yes they are there and marked on the map..... 95% of skiers won't do them. Its like marking all the possibilities for off piste at a European resort.... Avi patrol aside.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Gaz_H, it’s the consistently cold (i.e. stays in the minus C temps more or less the whole time in normal Jan Feb months that makes the snow like that.
In Europe we have a lot of temperature fluctuations even in main winter season so that changes the consistency of the snow. Temps of -13C say don’t happen that often, it was that cold yesterday in Kitzbuhel though and believe it or not the best powder day of the season so far for me! It didn’t snow very much at all when I was in Banff in Jan.
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Poster: A snowHead
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No beaver tails?!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I think you were unlucky with the queues. I’ve been several times in March and more recently at Easter and never had more than a few minutes. Most lifts you could ski straight on to. I suspect it was the combination of the new snow and family weakened in Canada and Presidents day on the US
Generally the lack of crowds - especially mid week - is a plus point of the area. I have a great memory of repeatedly blasting down Wawa bowl at SV in early April in great snow being the only person in the run
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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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@Gaz_H, thank you for a really helpful report - great insight for someone who is looking to go to NA
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Orange200 wrote: |
| No beaver tails?! |
Yes, the kids did and loved them. Must admit though, when I said to my daughter, "Lets go at get some Beaver tails" she looked at my with horror!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| TommyJ wrote: |
I think you were unlucky with the queues. I’ve been several times in March and more recently at Easter and never had more than a few minutes. Most lifts you could ski straight on to. I suspect it was the combination of the new snow and family weakened in Canada and Presidents day on the US
Generally the lack of crowds - especially mid week - is a plus point of the area. I have a great memory of repeatedly blasting down Wawa bowl at SV in early April in great snow being the only person in the run |
I think so Tommy - some people from back home who were there too and go there quite a lot said - they'd never seen it that bad
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
@Gaz_H, it’s the consistently cold (i.e. stays in the minus C temps more or less the whole time in normal Jan Feb months that makes the snow like that.
In Europe we have a lot of temperature fluctuations even in main winter season so that changes the consistency of the snow. Temps of -13C say don’t happen that often, it was that cold yesterday in Kitzbuhel though and believe it or not the best powder day of the season so far for me! It didn’t snow very much at all when I was in Banff in Jan. |
Agree re the temps. the snow was really fine too, so for the 2 days it snowed it was so fine. Tend to get whoppers in Europe!!!
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I tried a Beaver Tail last month from the shack at Goat’s Eye.
Not my thing I found it overly sweet but then I don’t have a mega sweet tooth really.
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Understood, I was mainly advertising them to my young teens. I guess they are like pancakes, it depends on the toppings. They did savoury ones with salmon and cream cheese. The ones with Nutella were too sickly for me.
@Gaz_H, the only time I’ve seen the queue you describe is Easter weekend, which for me is a good reason to park the skis and do something else.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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My son likes the popcorn shop in Banff Ave - especially the maple syrup flavoured popcorn. That is far too sweet for me
I can’t order a beaver tail with a straight face!
You have inspired me to do a similar report for my trip at Easter. Fingers crossed the snow remains good
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| VolklAttivaS5 wrote: |
I tried a Beaver Tail last month from the shack at Goat’s Eye.
Not my thing I found it overly sweet but then I don’t have a mega sweet tooth really. |
I made the mistake of trying a BeaverDog last week. Not recommended.
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FAQ
