 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi all,
In the past I have done all my skiing and boarding in Europe. This season, for the first time, I will be going to Canada to the Banff/Lake Louise area. I was just wondering if anyone knows which day is the usual changeover day for Canadian resorts? If anyone has any other advice that's worth heeding, that would also be appreciated!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Oh, if anyone has any recommendations on hotels/lodges that are decent and reasonably priced, that would be appreciated too 
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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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orbbital, unless you are booking through a Tour operator for a charter flight they don't really have one, most accommodation is booked by the night, and you can get a scheduled flight on any day of the week.
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If you're driving to Banff, be aware that it is in a national park and there is a charge for taking a car into the park. IIRC its about C$20 a day, so depending on the length of your visit, the break-even point between daily and an annual pass is about a week.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the help guys. London_Falcon, it does seem like it's always going be a trade off regarding commuting. I looked into a hotel near sunshine village (Sunshine Mountain Lodge) that's close to the slopes but, from what I can gather, that would mean sacrificing any decent sort of night life. Certainly doesn't have the convenience of having both nightlife and easy access that comes with most European resorts 
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orbbital, The ski areas are in the middle of a national park. Expecting thumping night-life adjacent to the slopes is a bit too much to ask. (Canadian environmentalists would like to see the ski hills completely closed down!)
Banff is a lively little town though. Stay there and relax during the bus ride to & from the hills.
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orbbital, it doesn't really feel inconvenient. We hired a 4x4 when we went to Banff and could leave in the morning as soon as we were ready. Off to a diner for a quick breakfast, then head for whichever hill we'd chosen that day. We don't hurry in the mornings, but were usually on the slopes well before 10 if not earlier. Nice drive back in the afternoon through stunning scenery, visit to the pool, then out for dinner. Lake Louise village would be better than Sunshine Lodge if you insist on staying close to the pistes. YOu are up the mountain at Sunshine Lodge and miles from anything 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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Been to Banff four times now, and heartily recommend it. I'm with Acacia, use the bus ride in the morning to extend your breakfast and courier you back home after a couple of pitchers of beer, IMHO catching the bus never seemed like much of a chore, they were normally within a minute or two of their expected arrival time and if they got full, they radio in another, so its all pretty well sorted, The cost of the bus fare is included in the tri-area pass, and parking at the mountains can be a pain (although sometimes the do lay on a trailer service from the further reaches of the parking area to the gondola at Sunshine.)
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There is no such thing as changeover day. The majority of skiers are localish and would come in from Calgary. Weekends are busier, sundays slightly less busy that Saturdays.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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^ this. No changeover day in N America. Most non-Euro tourists (rather than locals/weekend warriors) tend to be visiting long weekends rather than standard 7 days. Plenty of Euro package peeps in Banff though making Sat-Sat more common and programmes like Club Ski start on a Sunday /Thursdayor 3 days IIRC
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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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| gryphea wrote: |
| There is no such thing as changeover day. The majority of skiers are localish and would come in from Calgary. Weekends are busier, sundays slightly less busy that Saturdays. |
Even better, there's no such thing as a week-long ski school programme. Every day is taken separately, so you or your kids can migrate through classes at the speed you/they learn rather than at the speed that suits the ski school.
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