 Poster: A snowHead
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From the skilouse site it seems that Lake Louise has been without significant snow for some time now, but almost all runs are open. Has anyone been recently? If so then how are conditions off piste, back bowls, larch area etc?
I'll be there in 3 weeks time and with the 5 days forecast still showing no snow, I'm getting concerned as to how the ungroomed areas are holding up. 
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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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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Cathy Coins, so how's the conditions? Ski Louise site is forcasting snow and colder temperatures next week so I'm praying this is going to improve things for Easter! Get yourself on to one of those internet terminals in Whitehorn lodge and give us an update 
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Just got back today from Banff. The conditions although not good for Canada are good for skiing. I spent 10 days skiing in Sunshine and Lake Louise and 1 day in Norquay. The conditions at Sunshine are good all 100% natural snow the pistes are well maintained and coverage is good with only 10cm of snow in the last few weeks falling the quality of the snow is still good. Coverage through the trees and on some Black runs has led to some rocks appearing and most blacks with moguls are not being groomed. In the morning conditions are predictably icy but after an hour conditions improve current temperatures are about minus 2 and set to fall this week. Delirium dive is closed at the moment. On wind exposed slopes hard pack snow is present. There is no powder skiing at present but it was snowing when I left and was snowing on Friday also so conditions at sunshine should be better than when I was last there which was Thursday 9th March.
Conditions at Lake Louise are different from Sunshine. On the front side (South Face) There is good snow cover and all runs are open, however snow on this side of the mountain is heavy by 1.00pm and is hard and icy in the morning, slushy conditions down near the lodge are becoming more of a problem. Over on Ptarmigan and Paradise bowls conditions are much better an snow quality is good. there are some rocks and on some "off piste" areas coverage is non existent especially on wind blown slopes. There is still some good tree skiing. It was snowing in Lake Louise on Friday and should have snowed there on Saturday also on Friday snow conditions improved a lot during the course of the day and by 3.00PM on Friday the Paradise bowl was the best skiing in the area.
At Norquay conditions were icy and heavy in the afternoon and needed more snow I last skied there on the 5th of march so cant give anything more up to date.
The latest forecast was for a considerable snowfall and a drop in temperature this week but they said that 2 weeks ago 
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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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We were in LL in November. Condition were OK, but just spent a week in Soll at about 1/4 of the cost and had the best ski-ing ever.
Really do think LL is well over rated
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johnboy, I have never been to Soll, but have been to LL many times and have to say that I have only once experienced anything other than great conditions. However I would say that November is a little early in the year to judge anywhere in the northern hemisphere isn't it?
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johnboy, My trip for 10 days in Banff cost £550 inc breakfast at the Banff international I was very impressed with Hotel and no single supplement I couldn't match that in a European resort because of single supplement. Lift pass is expensive at £260.00 for a 9 day pass.
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Despite the cost and early conditions we had an excellent Honeymoon in LL. But I still think the terrain is well over rated
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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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johnboy, Did your do much off piste through the trees in November, I agree about some of the pisted runs they seem easy some of the blacks are over rated and wouldn't be a black in Europe. I didn't get to see the runs with lots of powder in the back bowls and this would put a different perspective on things.
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Russell,
Not alot although there was well over 1 foot fell while we were there. Lifts were pretty crap too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Did you get to Ski at Sunshine this was the better of the 2 for variety of runs IMO. The lifts seems more efficient also. At Louise the "new" second hand gondola broke down 4 times in 2 weeks and one of the chairs (the top of the world I think) stopped for an hour and a half with people stuck on it.
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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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johnboy, you were on honeymoon, weren't you
....say no more ...
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You know it makes sense.
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Good snow report Russell, couldn't agree more! Just waiting for the snow to start falling - it's forecasted to have flurries all this week, which it has been, with temperatures forecast to drop considerably this weekedn and heavy snow fall. Already getting a bit colder so hope they're right. Snow holding up well in Sunshine, skiing on Goats Eye is good, Lookout is a bit windswept but still good coverage. Is very heavy in LL on the lower slopes, was raining on the bottom slopes on Friday and definitely needs a good dump.Good conditions in the back bowl. Norquay is skiing on ground up ice, not pleasant. In all areas though there is good skiing to be had, just keep praying for that dump to come.
Sorry I was a bit late with the update solarfish, will keep you updated with the latest!
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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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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Ken Lingwood, They issued that on Canadian news twice while I was there and we had 2cm one day and 6cm the next time and if its really bad they close the lifts down! 
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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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Hey guys thanks for all the updates, keep 'em coming, I'm drooling with anticipation at being there next week
johnboy, I agree with you about the pisted stuff and the lack of night life in LL, it can seem a little dull. But I have kids so there is not much chance of going out clubbing anyway! I find the back bowls and areas in the trees to be challenging enough for me at the moment and after the conditions I had in Val Thorens in December 2003, I would certainly think twice about going back to Europe in a hurry (particularly during school holidays when we have to travel). Europe certainly does have it's plus points but until I emigrate to somewhere where I can ski locally, then my single annual trip will continue to be to the place where the snow is more predictable!
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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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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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It's been bitterly cold the last few days, but on the upside Sunshine had 24 cms of fresh snow on Thursday, conditions are great there. LL only had a few cms and although there is good coverage it's pretty hard and icy.
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Cathy Coins, Thanks for the update, sounds a lot better than I was fearing a couple of weeks back. I'll definitely be hitting Sunshine a few times as well as LL and after years of talking about it I think I might even have a day heli-skiing this year
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I just posted a big update to the Banff thread in The Piste forum, but conditions here in Lake Louise are excellent after two days of snow with a little more falling now and more forecast for Wednesday. I'll update later in the week, but it seems the best conditions of the season might actually be this week
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