 Poster: A snowHead
|
I am thinking of trying Canada for next years feb half term as SP has 10 days and not just a week like this year.
We have been to Panorama so don't really want to go there again. Options that seem to leap out of the pages of the brochures so far are Lake Louise, Banff and Fernie.
Mrs CP will be coming along and is a non skier, we will likely have a couple of friends with us too, one of which will not ski very much. Would prefer to be 'slopeside' ( rules out Banff I guess ) and need swimming pool and jacuzzi style facilities.
Any advice, tips or guidance would be gratefully received.
Thanks
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
There's nothing slopeside in Banff or Lake Louise, or at Jasper SFAICR, apart from the Sunshine Inn at, as you've probably guessed, Sunshine. It is right there on the hill; the drawback is that nothing else is. After skiing, the only living things within several miles will be your fellow guests plus asorted mountain fauna and the only restaurant or bar those of the hotel. Brilliant spot for a few days, I imagine, but you'd go stir crazy sooner rather than later, and Mrs CP would probably hang herself after an hour or two (I believe that you are allowed down the hill and into Banff on parole, as it were).
Access to the skiing is very easy from town in Banff, LL and Jasper, and in their very different ways they're all very pleasant; I'd rather stay in any of them than Panorama, which I didn't care for (liked the skiing, though). If MrsCP won't be skiing, I'd thoroughly recommend Banff. Good town, beautiful spot, great choice of hotels, with spas, pools, etc. But not ski in, ski out.
Last edited by Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person on Sun 2-03-08 17:33; edited 1 time in total
|
|
|
|
|
|
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?
|
richmond,
Stayed in the Sunshine inn for 2 nights. Fantastic experience, but any longer and you'd get cabin fever!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Good advice coming in - thanks.
I will reconsider our options and look into Banff as a base.
Cheers
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
CP,
For non-skiers, Banff offers by far the best prospects for off-the-hill activities. (Especially those involving the use of the credit card: there's a pretty reasonable selection of shops. If that's not enough, there are all-day bus excursions to Edmonton, which boasts a massive shopping mall - mind you, there's b*gger-all else to do in Edmonton). There are also wildlife excursions, dogsledding trips, sightseeing (the gondola up Sulfur Mountain provides great views, and if you ski at Lake Louise, then your non-skiing friends can spend some time at the Chateau Lake Louise and enjoy the views of the Lake and the Victoria Glacier: also, the bus ride is worth it for the views alone) and wallowing in the hot springs (the spa facilities at the Banff Springs hotel come well recommended). For the more adventurous, you can get taken off snowmobiling (but outside the boundaries of the National Park) and maybe people would like to try X-country skiing: a good way to get introduced to sliding on snow, without the intimidating steepness of the slopes, or the need to buckle yourself into big clunky boots (also, this might be an insidious means of persuading your OH to think again).
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
|
Whistler has heaps of slopeside accommodation, lots to do for non-skiers, and extensive terrain. For non-skier, there or Banff are obvious choices. Maybe Big White too - small but fun village with non-skiing activities available, but not much in way of shopping.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| johnboy wrote: |
richmond,
Stayed in the Sunshine inn for 2 nights. Fantastic experience, but any longer and you'd get cabin fever!! |
We talked about doing that, but never did. What's the accomodation and grub like? I had lunch there once or twice, which was pretty good IIRC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I'd second whistler. Went there in feb for the first time and absolutely loved it.
Plenty of slope side accomodation too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
Whistler is now firmly on the list.
Any feedback on Fernie?
TIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There is no (or little) slope side accom at Fernie. Fernie is a largish town based on mining and forestry. The ski resort is a 5 min drive from the edge of town. Nothing to do in Fernie, in fact I found it to be an 'ugly' town. Not a ski resort town at all, more a normal town with a ski resort close by.
Great skiing though.
I live in Whistler, so I recommend coming here, great place, plenty of on and off hill activities to do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
Big White is my favourite in Canada. You should be able to fly direct into Kelowna from London next winter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
|
Thanks for all the advice - decision has been made and we have booked to go to Fernie staying in the Timberline Lodges next February.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
|
CP, good for you, just back from Lizard Creek Lodge - loved it and Fernie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
I don't think it's particularly stunning but downtown and especially 2nd ave are really well done and definately not ugly. I hear Disneyland is a bit corporate and fake 
