 Poster: A snowHead
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My battery on my iPhone is about to go flat so I will be quick,
we are thinking on going to Heavenly in March as opposed to the annual Banff trip. for those that have been to both can you tell me which you preffered and why?
Sorry for the short post 2% remaining!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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AC
I've been to Banff about 5 times, and Heavenly once, for a day....
IIRC, Heavenly felt a bit too much like Vegas - casino's and strip malls, whereas Banff is like a village.
As far as the skiing goes, you're a LOT nearer the slopes in Heavenly (I stayed in a hotel that was across the carpark from a main lift)
Some of the scenery is stunning (check out the current Warren Miller movie for some nice footage from Heavenly).
If you're serious about the _skiing_ then the snow conditions will count for more than any other factor.
I'd go to Heavenly again - and I'd certainly plan on hiring a car and checking out the other Tahoe resorts (and I'd look into getting a 'visitors' ski pass in advance....)
If you get bored with Heavenly, Mammouth isn't too far away either.....
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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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ac505, I have been to Heavenly twice and Banff 3 times and both have stunning scenery and wonderful pistes. I'm an intermediate who just wants to cruise around and enjoy the snow so can't comment on nursery or expert terrain.
Heavenly is interesting as the state line between Nevada and California runs through the centre of the town and the contrast was obvious - especially smoking indoors (it was a few years ago so don't know if Nevada still allows it). Also, you can get to a couple of places on the slopes where you see Lake Tahoe one way and miles of desert in the other direction!
While I loved both Heavenly and Banff (Lake Louise/Sunshine) for my level of skiing, I do prefer Banff for the ease of getting there and the compactness of the place. First time to Lake Tahoe involved a flight from Edinburgh to London, London to San Francisco, long wait at the car hire place, 3 hour drive up to Heavenly then stuck with a car that we only used twice after that! It was a Virgin Ski package and they didn't offer transfers - it had to be a car. Oh, and I made 2 calls to Virgin to check that the car supplied would take 4 adults with kit, they said yes, but of course it didn't so an expensive upgrade at the airport.
Second time we flew from SF to Reno and then a taxi from there- not that much quicker with all the usual airport waiting around, but less stressful and of course more expensive. With both holidays we tacked on weekends in SF first time, then Vegas second time - made a full 2 week holiday out of it.
I just find Banff so much easier to get to, fab skiing and nice atmosphere.
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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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hamilton had listed much of the differences. To re-iterate:
- Banff has the edge on atmosphere. It's a proper village while South Lake Tahoe is just a string of motels and casinos along the high way.
- Not having to deal with the bus is one of the advantage of Heavenly.
- Scenary: both are stunning, but different.
- Skiing-wise, both have plenty of terrain.
- There're a lot of other resorts in the Tahoe area, some of them accessible by shuttle bus (or by car). That's another option.
Easier to answer your question if we know what you like and dislike about Banff.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Tue 8-12-09 23:37; edited 1 time in total
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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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| hamilton wrote: |
AC
If you get bored with Heavenly, Mammouth isn't too far away either..... |
Do you mean Squaw Valley? Mammoth is a longish way in my book.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Banff was cold even in March. I found Tahoe easier to access. Plenty of inexpensive accommodation options. Other resorts fairly close. Not such a schlepp to get to the slopes in Tahoe. Norquay is not much. LL or Sunshine are both a fair way from Banff village.
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thanks all for the replies. The reason I was considering Heavenly was that my travel agent found a very good deal, added to that I could use up some of my American miles on flights... One of the attractions I have with Banff is that it was a direct flight from Glasgow and then only an hour and a half on a bus, Heavenly seems a bit more of a faff with car hire, 3hr drive etc etc. My job has me traveling abroad a LOT so for holiday I want to be a lazy passenger when it comes to getting where I am going. All things considered I will probably go back to Banff in March unless I see a very good deal elsewhere. But thanks for the input.
If only Europe had it's own little Lake Louise I'd be very happy, varied terrain, tree lined runs, and quiet (well compared to 3 Valleys etc )
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"A mini Las Vegas with snow!"
Only skied in Heavenly, and I thought it was superb... but...
GOOD BITS
Excellent skiing, and a huge amount of it!
The views - the California snow at 10,00 feet, Lake Tahoe at 6000ft, and the Nevada Desert at 100ft(?) - all in one photo - stunning!
You can ski Sierra at Tahoe (car ride) and Squaw Vally, while you are there (the paddle steamer day trip to Squaw was a hoot!)
BAD BITS
The apres-ski is limited on the California side, and only good on the Nevada side if you like casinos (I did!).
The the SF flight/car hire/long drive can be a real drag.
You have to get a bus/drive every morning to get to the slopes.
It was one of my best skiing holidays, ever... but when I asked my brother, he thought it was one of his worst! I liked it because of the good bits (and casinos), and he disliked it because of the bad bits!
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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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But going to S.Lake.Tahoe and only skiing Heavenly is daft: there are just so many other resorts nearby which offer totally different experience. Some offer shuttle buses, some you hae to drive to. But that's the whole attraction of skiing lake Tahoe.
But yes, it's not the easiest place to get to, so if that is your criteria, stick with Banff.
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| Quote: |
You have to get a bus/drive every morning to get to the slopes.
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That's just your choice of lodging.
Heavenly is one of the few NA resorts that has sizable lodging by the lift.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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for heavenly fly into reno and catch the shuttle up to south lake tahoe with drop offs/pickups at all the casinos. the gondola up to heavenly is just short walk from casinos so you won't need a car. should be some great deals now since the economy is really hurting the tourist industry here.
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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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If you go to Heavenly you could go for 2 wks and dovetail it with a stay in SF. Then you can make it a leisurely drive up to Tahoe. I'd echo all the votes for visiting the other resorts round the lake too esp. Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows and Kirkwood.
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