I have the dubious pleasure of a trip to Calgary for a business meeting in early February.
I'll have a spare day in Calgary before I fly south to Orlando for more meetings so would like to ski for a day.
Anyone have any experience of public transport from Calgary to Banff or anywhere else closer to get a day on the slopes ?
Or will I need a car ?
I have used this bus when working in Calgary for a day's skiing in Lake Louise which if I remember correctly is a couple of hours away.
If you get an early enough bus, I highly recommend getting there in time to take advantage of the free Ski Friends service (see the Lake Louise website). They will show you around the resort FOC. A wonderful service.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
I managed to get 3 days at Castle Mountain in south west Alberta, about 2-2.5 hrs from calgary and I have to say I was blown away by the place. great snow and a mix from intermediate through to 'wow thats steep', I was taken by a Calgary native when I did a Rockies road trip a few years back. You will need a car unless there you can find a car share, but I think its a great alternative to Sunshine and Lake Louise (which are both great as well)
Enjoy it if you can, even if you cant get anywhere there is the C.O.P with a couple of runs in Calgary itself..
Nakiska within an hour, Norquay bit further out. Not been to either but if it's anything close to Fernie or Castle you'll have a blast. If you want to build up hype for Norquay there's this http://youtube.com/v/9lpJSB9pd-s
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Calgary is cool, not sure why you call it a dubious pleasure?
After all it is free
After all it is free
Norquay is better than not skiing but unless you are beginner or can’t be bothered to travel another 30-40min to sunshine or LL. Small hill too small for even a day if you ski big resorts. Snow is poorer than the others and they closed off the best runs for race training when I was there as well. LL and SS are awesome resorts, spectacular views and tons of terrain on & offpiste
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.
Sunshine or lake Louise are worth the extra commuting time.
I'm not sure you will find a better deal than the link to sunshinecoach posted earlier - $120 for bus and lift pass, when a regular day pass alone is $114+tax.
Ski the Net with snowHeads
Ski the Net with snowHeads
When I went to Banff last year the best day of skiing was at Norquay. Heavy snow the night before, everybody trying to get to Sunshine and Lake Louise. Norquay deserted with plenty of deep powder. If you only have 1 day then I would say Norquay is enough.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
If you are starting in Calgary, Lake Louise is about 45mins further down the road than Sunshine.
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