 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All, having only ever skied in Europe we have just booked some flights to Vancouver with the intention of spending 10 days at Whistler, but was wondering if anybody has expericence of other resorts such as Big White, that are reachable from Vancouver?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Hi MJH, not much of a reply yet I'm afraid! I'm off to Big White & Sun Peaks in Feb for the first time so can't really comment. Okanagan is a good person to ask on this being a regular frequenter of resorts round there. Hopefully she'll see this thread & respond or send her a PM. There has been a bit written recently about Big White/Silver Star & Sun Peaks so you could also try doing a search (drop down menu on User Facilities at the top of the page if you don't know).
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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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MJH, got their promo DVD in the post last week as we were thinking of heading off there ourselves in Feb.
Looks interesting and good for mixed group ability
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Cathy Coins, rob and sharon,
Guys, thank you for your responses, and I hope that you have had a great Christmas. We are edging closer to staying in Big White, having discovered that a colleague has been there and could not speak highly enough of the place. I'm sure that the large resorts have everything to offer, but from what I've read about Whistler it seems to be suffering from over-crowding, lift queues etc. Coincidently, we will also be out there in February!
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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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You'll need to Register first of course.
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HiCathy Coins, we will be there 1st to 11th Feb, and it can't come soon enough Hopeing to be able to make that step from confident piste skiing to playing in the fluffy stuff-am also giving snowboarding a go this year before my knees totally give out! When in Feb will you be there?
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MJH, I hope you enjoy your first time in Canada, it was my first time last January when I went to Fernie, I loved it so much I postponed my plans to go to the Jungfrau region for a year, so that I could go to Banff! 
You probably know all this but if not - It can get very cold in Canada Jan/Feb so layers are very important whilst skiing, buy some toe-warmers, a face mask and a good quality pair of goggles (If you haven't already got them!).
Fortunately western Canada is not as cold as it usually is at this time of year but that can and probably will change.
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RichardB, Thanks for the advice, hopefully the milder temperatures will continue, but will still be prepared regardless. Thanks again.
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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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MJH, we'll be there from 18th, so looks like we won't meet up. But if you do go to Big White you can post what it was like in time for my trip out!
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Cathy Coins, Will do!
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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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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How did I miss this thread????
excitableboy, snap - same dates we'll be out there. Sounds like there'll be several of us in Big White on 2nd/3rd Feb.
MJH, don't worry too much about the temperatures - The Big White area is much more temperate than Banff et al, and we've never needed toe warmers or face masks. It'll usually be below freezing, but not dramatically so during the day. You will probably find that goggles rather than sunglasses are the order of the day though.
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You know it makes sense.
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excitableboy, sadly, downstairs at Sam's is strictly a lunchtime venue for us these days, as having a 4 year old in tow keeps us out (or upstairs) in the evenings. They do let him in to Long John's though....  Had an email from friends at the Star yesterday to say they had 19 cms of new snow, so it looks like the base is building up nicely for us! Looks great on the webcams today. They also say that "Silver Woods is fantastic and much more challenging than we thought it would be" so that's something to look forwards to as well. Who knows maybe we'll even get to ski those new Westridge runs at BW this year after they didn't open at all last season.
Where are you staying?
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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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excitableboy, Okanagan, Hi guys, am just back from a few days in France, and pleased to see that others will also be in Big White. We were lucky enough to enjoy the fresh snow that fell over the weekend, so you can imagine that our appetite has really been whetted for the "hero snow" of Big White. It sounds as though the pair of you know the resort well, so hopefully you will be able to give me a few tips on what to do, and where to go- It already seems that Sam's requires a visit!
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Poster: A snowHead
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| MJH wrote: |
| It already seems that Sam's requires a visit! |
Yep - and it's compulsory to try the Gunbarell coffee upstairs there the first time you vist. Won't tell you more as it'd spoil the surprise.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Okanagan, Right then, the Gunbarell coffee is on the list - what other gems can you advise!?! As a matter of interest we are staying at Trapper's Crossing, do you know it? Where will you be staying?
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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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Trappers Crossing is right next to Sam's, at the main village level, so you're well located. We're at the Inn, for the main reason that it has a pool which is a popular post-ski activity for our 4 year old
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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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excitableboy, we're staying at the White Crystal Inn - presumably as you've been there before the hotel is alright?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| excitableboy wrote: |
| I must confess that although 'upstairs' at Sam's is excellent, 'downstairs can get loud ( definately a younger crowd :roll: ) so me and the missus prefer our 'apres ski' at The Snow Ghost Lounge, which is handy as we stay at The White Crystal Inn :sH: Okanagan.......We will probably check out the new bar at Carvers at the Inn, but does that mean that 'Powder keg' has gone :~/ :~/ |
As far as I know, what's happened is that The Powder Keg has been sold by the former leasees and BW has bought them out. Not sure exactly how much will have changed. But probably off limits to us, like the Snow Ghost, with a 4 year old in tow, anyway.
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And 33cm in 24 hours at Silver Star too. For early January the snow levels are better than they've been for several years - and plenty more in the forecast, so hopefully it's building up well for us in a couple of weeks!
Are we going to fix up a Snowheads meetup somewhere as there are several of us there at the same time?
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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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excitableboy, Thanks for tips (added to list kindly started by Okanagan)- keep them coming.
Okanagan, Would love to meet up with all Snowheads that will be there at the same time. I have to admit that I'm probably even more excited about the trip than your 4 year old must have been about Father Christmas! The conditions seem fantastic at the moment, and I guess that they can only get better.
Three weeks until take-off, and counting down every second!
One of the reasons we decided to go to Big White was the impression that we got that it could be a good place to step off the piste, and try some real powder - is this just a fantasy that I have, or will it become reality. To get off to a flying start, we have booked an instructor for our first day for a bit of off piste tuition and a bit of guiding. Do you guys think that it's a good idea or a waste of money (don't be scared to be harsh if I've got it wrong!)?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| MJH wrote: |
| The conditions seem fantastic at the moment, and I guess that they can only get better.! |
It's looking good. Another 40cm in the last 24 hours at Silver Star, and 14cm at BW. Weather patterns look like they're setting up well for a good season too.
| MJH wrote: |
| One of the reasons we decided to go to Big White was the impression that we got that it could be a good place to step off the piste, and try some real powder - is this just a fantasy that I have, or will it become reality. To get off to a flying start, we have booked an instructor for our first day for a bit of off piste tuition and a bit of guiding. Do you guys think that it's a good idea or a waste of money (don't be scared to be harsh if I've got it wrong!)? |
It's a good place for that - plenty of opportunites where off-piste doesn't have to mean extreme. Obviously can't actually guarantee powder though. Having said that if there is a big dump you'll probably find that you can ski powder on what are nominally pisted runs, because they usually piste early so if a there's a dump overnight you'll get powder on a smooth base - perfect for getting used to it. (Or just perfect, full stop!). There aren't usually that many people around - especially midweek - so the runs don't got cut up too much. Try the enchanted forest (above the T-bar) - just pick your own way across from the top - there are runs down either side, so you'll eventually get back to one. Once you get a bit more confidence SunRype Bowl is fabulous in good conditions.
From what you say I'd think having some instruction would help give you confidence in your ability to handle the conditions - but don't rule out also joining in with one of the free Snow Host tours. Thry're run by local people who all know the mountain very well, and they'll be happy to point out good places for you to try if you ask them.
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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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excitableboy, I'm still going to try the Snow Ghost Lounge and the Copper Kettle Grill, even if your tip wasn't meant for me!
Okanagan, excitableboy, So how about that beer on the 2nd/3rd?
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excitableboy, thanks, good to have it confirmed that the White Crystal is good, although I had sought advice from Okanagan before booking (and Ski Independence were very helpful as well).
Save some of the snow for me! We're going out on the 18th Feb, first day skiing 19th. I know this is President's Weekend but I am a bit limited by work as to when I can take time off this time of year. Does anyone know if it will that make much difference in Big White, apart from price, do they get many skiers up from the States? And is it just a weekend or do Americans make a week of it? It's also the second week of the UK half-term but I'm guessing that won't make too much difference to the numbers out there.
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You know it makes sense.
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Cathy Coins, you don't get enough Brits there for half term to make a difference. President's Week will - moreso over the weekend than during the week, but the rest of the week will still be busier than normal. It depends a little bit on the conditions - as the Pacific Northwest resorts seems to be getting a fair bit of snow this year then you won't get the effect of going where the snow is, as per last year, but as it's such a popular weekend then trips tend to be prebooked because of the need to secure accomodation. If you're going out on the Saturday, then you'll miss one of the busy days at least. By Monday afternoon you should find it's getting noticeably quieter.
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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| Cathy Coins wrote: |
| I expect crowded there isn't like crowded in Europe |
No - expect some lift queues, albeit orderly/organised ones, during the weekend itself (might be a good time to book lessons if you're going to, to get priority in the queue), but you'll probably still find it quiet on the mountain compared to Europe. The ratio of runs (or rather skiable area as there is much easily accessible stuff off the runs) is to lifts is higher than you get here.
Do they have an SCGB rep there? No that's a job I wouldn't mind having.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Indeed, they have a rep out there for a few weeks when we're there. As we're members we may well meet up with him for a ski (it'll probably be just us!).
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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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Okanagan, Does this mean that I should be looking forward to very short lift queues and fairly empty runs when we are there? If so it looks as though our decision not to got to Whistler really is the right one. 
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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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| MJH wrote: |
| Okanagan, Does this mean that I should be looking forward to very short lift queues and fairly empty runs when we are there? If so it looks as though our decision not to got to Whistler really is the right one. :D |
Not so much short lift queues as non-existant most of the time midweek. Only exception is usually on the Ridge at ski school start time, or sometimes on the Black Forest if the visibility is bad. And hardly any of my photos there show anyone in the picture at all!
We've done the Whistler thing - and after queing at least 40 minutes to get up the mountain every day (perhaps we were just unlucky) wouldn't bother again.
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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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Only 3cm of new snow today - 12cm at Silver Star though. Snow in the forecast every day for the forseeable future though
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wow, I didn't think that I could, but I think that I have just become even more excited - three weeks and will be there, can't wait.
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Just heard that the new runs over at Westridge are open now. What a contrast to last year, when they didn't open at all.
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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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Another 17cm at BW (and still snowing) and 14cm at the Star in the last 24 hrs. Snow in the village at Silver Star is just about up to the Board Walk looking at the webcam - in which case snow levels are definately higher at this stage of the season than they've been in the last 5+ years at least.
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I see BW has had 80 cms of fresh snow in the last 7 days - whooppee!! Everything is crossed that its still good mid-Feb 
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FAQ
. If you get the chance to visit Silver Star you should take it, especially if you like steep blacks/double blacks.......smashing.
.....see you in Sam's for a few beers 
) so if any of you chaps arrange any meet ups i'll pick up this thread when i get back.............oh by the way, the Silver Star webcam at this very minute shows the conditions as.......BUCKETING DOWN 