 Poster: A snowHead
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We are from Australia (2 adults, 2 kids – 8 & 10) and are going to SunPeaks from 5th Jan. to 20th Jan. 2008, but are also looking at going to another resort for an additional 7-10 days.
We could go to Whistler, but something tells me it may be too big and commercialised. SilverStar isn’t too far in the other direction, but may be similar to SunPeaks, so are looking at heading over to the Rockies (we’ve got a round-the-world ticket, so internal flights witin Canada won’t cost us anything).
Lake Louise, etc. would be good, but not sure about the travelling each day from Banff for the 4 of us (especially after 2 weeks of Ski in/Ski out at SunPeaks), and it will be a lot colder (late Jan., possibly -20’s or colder). Fernie could also be a good choice with the abundance of powder (assuming it’s a good winter), but we’re all intermediates and Fernie has much less options for us (got to also think of the kids).
Last, but not least I have been looking at Panorama. It isn’t quite as cold as the Lake Louise region, so that should help. Also it has plenty of ski in/ski out accommodation (ticks that box) and looks as if it has plenty for the kids to do (only 8 & 10). Yes, I’ve heard that it can sometimes lack for the snowfalls (can be a bit infrequent, hence 40% snowmaking equipment), but it just looks as if it would be ideal for us (4 intermediates, not looking for the disco dancing, and plenty of ski in/ski out accom). It slightly puts me of the travel from Calgary (4-5 hours depending on weather), but if the resort is ideal then this is a very small inconvenience.
Any thoughts / suggestions would be most 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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According to several Canadians I have spoken to when Panorama is good it is excellent (as it was for us in Jan 2006) but when it is bad it is horrible!!!! I was talking to someone this year who had a season pass for Kimberley dispite living only a few miles from Panorama as the conditions were generally better there. Fernie is a pretty good resort for intermediates, but it can be subject to rain (both times I have been there in January) which can make the conditions dodgy. We drove back from Kimberley (an hour further on from Panorama) to Calgary this year in snowy conditions and had no problems.
I think the skiing at Silver Star is quite different from Sun Peaks and it could be combined with Big White, they are both great resorts. All of them (and Panorama) are very similar in the resort as they are all purpose built with not much going on.
Have you had a look at Kicking Horse, very scary for a coward like me, but still great fun.
Hope that helps
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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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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I skied Panorama in April 2005. It was awesome. Great skiing in Taynton Bowl which is on the backside of the mountain. Its very family orientated, there are hot springs at the bottom of the runs which are awesome after a day on the slopes. The accomodation really is ski in ski out. It rarely got busy. However we had a few days without some snow and the slopes were pretty icy at the bottom. Although fast for the racers. Although the snow held well up high. Also its a good four hours transfer from calgary. I learnt to ski at Silver Star and will always reccomend it - its probably more snow sure and has a wider range of runs.
I would go back to Panorama with out a doubt.
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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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For intermediates, I'd rate panorama over Fernie, for me Fernie is better for good skiers or at least intermediates aspiring to learn more.
THere is an airport closer to Panorama than Calgary although it may require a change of flight at Calgary to get there from wherever you fly
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I'd consider doing the transfer by car and including Silver Star & Big White on your itinery. Driving around the Okanagan is generally not as bad as further into the interior and I suspect its difficult to get short flights from Kamloops to Cranbrook (for Fernie & Pano etc).
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Thanks for all the replies
After thinking it through, and knowing that we would have already spent 2 weeks at the one resort (SunPeaks 5th to 19th Jan.), we may also look at possibly hiring a 4WD to drive to other resorts. I spoke it over with my wife and she thought it would be a great idea to have a look at some other areas of Canada (big place, but you can only do so much in one trip). I’ve had a look at the map and thought this may fit in:
Day 1: Leave SunPeaks, travel to Jasper
Days 2-4: Ski Marmot Basin / Sightsee around Jasper
Day 5: Travel to Lake Louise (may get an afternoon ski)
Day 6: Ski Lake Louise
Day 7: Travel to Banff and have a look around
Day 8 & 9: Ski surrounding resorts (still to work out which ones, but possibly 1 day Sunshine Village & another day back at Lake Louise)
Day 10: Travel to Panorama (may get an afternoon ski)
Day 11 & 12: Ski Panorama
Day 13: Travel to Kimberley or Fernie (may get an afternoon ski)
Day 14 & 15: Ski Kimberley or Fernie
Day 16: Fly back to Australia (leave from Cranbrook or Calgary)
This may drop back to 14 days, but we’ll decide this later (originally was only looking at 7-10 days at another resort), but we think that if we are going to do it then the extra days will allow us to enjoy it so much more (rather than rushing). The extra days will also allow a little leeway if the weather slows us down. My wife’s still a wee bit worried about driving during late January (you may be able to advise better fatbob), but as long as we take our time it shouldn’t be to bad (Canada doesn’t shutdown because it’s winter, so we shouldn’t either). Also the weather will be a lot colder in Jasper / Banff regions, but again it may be a great opportunity to see another part of the country during our trip, and a couple more layers underneath should see us through (hopefully).
It’s going to cost us a bl__dy fortune this holiday, but no doubt we’ll have memories to last us a life time. Presently the itinerary is leave Perth (Oz) Xmas day, 1 week in Scotland to see family (kids get to see Gran & Grandad), leave Scotland New Years day, 4 days Vancouver, 2 weeks SunPeaks, 16 days driving around as above, 3-4 days Hong Kong, then back to Perth (Oz).
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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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Celts88,
Sounds like a good plan and the half days you identify are certainly possible if you get off early enough. I did from Whistler to Lake Louise & back via Washington state and skied every day bar the last day's drive back from the Okanagan. With kids you won't want such a punishing schedule. Canadian roads are kept pretty well ploughed but there may still be a snow base. During heavy storms its useful to be able to adapt travel plans too so I'd check with hotels if booking ahead what their policy is. Your route includes some beautiful drives - up the Yellowhead from Kamloops to Jasper, passing Mt Robson (highest peak in Canadian Rockies) , the Icefields parkway and the Kootenay park drive from LL to Radium so its worth doing them in decent weather windows if you can.
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We realise that most people think we are crazy doing 2 weeks at SunPeaks, but my wife has only now started to enjoy skiing after the 3rd year (hated it the first 2 years), and that she is only a mid-to-high beginner level then these 2 weeks would allow her to really get comfortable/confident when we start to travel around the other resorts (only ever skied in Oz at FallsCreek, 3 times x 8 days).
The 2 weeks will include all day hosted adult skiing throughout SunPeaks (kids, 10 & 8, will get full-time lessons), which will really help her confidence. Also by that stage myself and the kids will have moved up as well (we're low to mid-intermediate at the moment) and during our time there we will do all the other touristy bits (night at the ice hockey, dog-sleigh, snow-mobile, etc., etc.). One of the days will also include a trip to SilverStar for the day, so that will give us a chance to have a look there.
While at SunPeaks we're looking at getting some good boots for my wife & me (first time, but we do realise that a good pair of properly fitted boots will really help), but may also get skis for us and skis/boots for the kids (4 weeks hiring equipment would be similar cost to buying mid-level equipment).
Yes, we may be crazy doing the 2 weeks at SunPeaks, but I still feel that it will help us get to the next level before we start travelling around (I know lots will disagree).
I still appreciate any advise or if necessary criticism (constructive)
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Celts88
The kids will love Canadian Ski School, they really look after them and make it fun for the kids, and if you are outside the Canadian/US holidays you may even find they end up getting one on one even in group lessons. They had my mates 7 and 9 year old tree skiing. I would also suggest some Ski lessons for you and your wife given the time you have, I took a three day group lesson a few years back and progressed so far in three days. I was a typical platau intermediate, bomb anything that was freshly pisted but fell over at the sight of a mogul,crud or off piste and in three days the instructor had us on steep black waste high moguls and I did a little powder for the first time. Unfortunatley I regressed a little after a couple of years gap and poorer fitness but am still able to use what the Canadians taught me and get a real buzz from bumps(bumpettes probably in my case) that I never thought I would.
As for the equipment, definatley go for the boots if the budget will take it. The change to comfortable boots from hire shop is amazing. My advice is take your time at the fitting and buy boots that are a little above your level so you can progress with them but some of the more experienced snow heads may have a better idea.
I cant praise the Canadian ski school enough and have seen them at Lake Louise, Fernie and Big White. Canada is the best skiing I have experienced and would love to go back one day, hope you guys have a great time and let us know how you got on.
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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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eddyr,
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the little store on mountain, is also pants! (I was amazed how they could have so much of nothing, ie. nothing that's actually any use!)
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Oh it's still like that, is it? I was in Panorama three years ago, and we ended up eating pasta for a week because we hadn't got our shopping sorted out sufficiently well, and didn't want to take a half day out just to go down the hill to a decent store! Nice skiing, though, I really enjoyed it.
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You know it makes sense.
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Hurtle, Fraid so - real disappointment that. I wouldn't have minded if the restaurants/bars served up decent food - but they were bad as well, so we ended up biting the bullet and going down to Invermere to stock up on some bits.
Problem was, as we weren't driving, we had to take the coach, and the gap between being dropped off and picked up again was something like 3 hours. Well, as much as the locals would like you to think otherwise - there's not really THAT much to see in Invermere, and not that many shops to keep you amused for all that long. So it made for a long, boring wait!
As you say, skiing was top though 
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FAQ
