 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi
We are hoping to go in the Easter school hols at the beginning of April 2010. We are a group of 40 somethings with our teenagers tagging along. We have skiers and boarders in our group of varying skill levels.
We don't mind which part of Canada we go to but we would like to be wow'd by the snow quality. Obviously we need a resort which has plenty of snow for the time of year we are going. We also like a good drink after a long days skiing so a medium to large resort would suit. The tricky part is we want good value for money for food and drinks, is there such a place?
Any advice or tips gratefully accepted.
Michelle
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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In April I'd probably head somewhere like Banff / Lake Louise to be sure of good snow quality. Whistler and interior BC can be a bit dubious that late in the season.
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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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I would agree with UKtrailmonster Banff is good as Alberta is slightly cheaper than BC, also less flight time. Banff also has a good nightlife as it is a decent sized town. The bus transfers to the ski hills are pretty good so I wouldn't worry about ski in/out. Also not a great season for Whistler and it likes we are on for another dry week this week. Hope that helps...
Oh and don't forget you will only need two decent meals a day!
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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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uktrailmonster, Whistler stays open until June. it's as reliable in April as anywhere in the world. If you can afford it, go there. I go every may and it is superb.
Early April is also a top time to go to Banff for snow conditions and weather at lake louise and Sunshine. So if you can put up with the buses, go for it. truly beautiful time to be up there, good wildlife spotting chances.
Other places in Canada quiet/closing early April, so probably notmany other choices.
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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.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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gortonator, I know Whistler stays open, but the chance of rain lower down increases in April. Banff is generally colder and drier, that's all. Most of the interior resorts close early to mid April, but more from lack of people than snow.
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Banff, and ski at Sunshine Village.
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| telford_mike wrote: |
| Banff, and ski at Sunshine Village. |
Seconded! Banff is a great base for the 3 mountains - plus theres other stuff to do away from the slopes, plus Calgary is only and hour and a half or so away so transfer not too painful
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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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It's all about Banff- Sunshine and Lake Louise. I've been there for Easter many times over the years (indeed I'll be there this year too) and the snow and weather have always been fantastic. Banff as a town is great fun too. Do it.
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Wow thanks everyone I wasn't expecting so many replies. Banff/Sunshine it is then. Just been to the travel agents to have a nosey at the brochures although we may just book it seperately. If anyone has any recommendations for accomodation that would be great please. Lastly what sort of prices would we be paying for a main course or a large beer.
Thanks again
Michelle
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The other year we stayed in the cheapest self catering apertment in Banff we could find and it was still excellent (big rooms,cable tv, your own ski locker in the apartment, right next to the bus stop etc...)
I cant remember how much a beer was although remember that a North American pint is smaller than ours.
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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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Have been to Banff 3 times - stayed at Inns Of Banff (basic, 30 minute walk into town, great rooftop hot tub), Caribou Lodge (near centre, great place) and Banff Springs (great experience but would not stay there again as place is vast / rooms dated). Do try the buffet at the Springs though - not sure if it's on every night / need to book.
Have a look on Tripadvisor for reviews ...
I agree with the comments re Louise / Sunshine (should have decent snow at that time of year and relatively mild temperatures should ensure decent skiing - skied in minus 35C at Sunshine in the past!).
Earls in town does great food / coctails.
Prices should be comparable to the UK ...
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| prog99 wrote: |
| remember that a North American pint is smaller than ours. |
Read this and chuckled to myself thinking what a ridiculous thing to say...then thought maybe I should check before mocking. Darned glad I did. 20 ounces vs 16 ounces indeed. Who'd have thought?!!
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You know it makes sense.
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Tommy4681, all those years and you never knew 
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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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mount royal is great, very central, free internet, and last year it was on the best place for the bus. Pick it up at ski hub and only one stop before leaving town.
Be aware at some places you could be sitting on bus 10-15min before getting out of town
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Poster: A snowHead
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Banff was great for us for 6 years at Easter. LL is a lovely place, nbg with kids though, nothing going on at all.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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prog99,
| Quote: |
The other year we stayed in the cheapest self catering apertment in Banff we could find
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Which one was this? - My experience of Banff was that there wasn't a lot of s-c accommodation.
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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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Acacia, just checked my emails. Looks like it was RUNDLE MANOR.
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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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Thanks everyone. Are we likely to get any deals on reduced or free lift pass deals with our accomodation? Do they have happy hour in the bars, used to Soldeu and they do a buy one get one free betwen 4 and 6pm. Thanks for the good tip about the shuttle bus its well worth knowing.
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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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Not aware of any cheap pass deals based on accomodation except that a lot of places offer packages of room plus pass which are a good deal if you DIY, but my experience of N.America (at Easter) is that you can't beat TO prices.
There are happy hours but you may have to stop skiing early to benefit.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Not sure whther there are happy hours- remember over here ervything is done early- so the peak time to eat is 5:30ish. Banf isn't loaded with self catering but some of the condos have kitchens.
Gryph
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I have stayed in the Rundle Manor in Banff twice and can agree with prog99 that is good value for money - its very close to the Ptarmigan Inn bus stop and you can use the Ptarmigan's spa facilities free of charge (or at least you can if you stay there with Inghams as we did) which were always clean and pleasant after a day on the slopes. Handily the Safeway is also just round the corner.
Just a point to note tho - if you are going in 2010 to Banff it might be worth checking up on what's going on with the free ski bus - I read on a thread on here that there was some risk of it being withdrawn or charged for or something for next season. That was a while back tho so that info might be out of date now of course.
Can't remember about happy hours - we were usually on the late buses back from the slopes so they may have all finished by the time we rolled into town. I think the bar at the base at Sunshine might do something tho.
BTW if you have your own gear and care about its appearance (like my hubby and his beloved snowboard) it might be worth taking some sort of bag for it as the ski/board holding compartments on the buses get very full and people with hire gear don't tend to be very delicate when the put their gear in or take it out.
Have a great time!
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| uktrailmonster wrote: |
| gortonator, I know Whistler stays open, but the chance of rain lower down increases in April. Banff is generally colder and drier, that's all. Most of the interior resorts close early to mid April, but more from lack of people than snow. |
So do chances of nice sunny weather up high. Whistler is typically fabulous in April, May, June .... - deep base, less people, lower prices.
Whistler or Banff - you won't go wrong.
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