poutanen

These men speak the truth! I'm an advanced rider and even I found myself somewhat bored with most of Sunshine. Both Lake Louise and Sunshine have TONS of terrain of all levels though so you'll likely have a blast at either.

I'd go wherever the snow is you'll have a blast.

Don't worry about coming from Ontario to the big hills. I grew up riding in Ontario. Moved out here last year and had the best winter on snow here. Just take it a little easy at first, the hills are a lot less "maintained" than in Ontario. Learn the runs a bit before you go and blast them!

faridk89

easier said than done!!

On another note I got a greyhound ticket from Calgary to Banff and back for 39 bucks! but was wondering what the cheapest way of getting from the Calgary Airport to downtown Calgary is?

poutanen

$8 on the bus!!!

YYC - Public Buses

I think we should have a mini Calgary area meet one of these days out here (there's at least 10 regular members in the area...)

But yeah, the hills are great just feel your way around. The green-blue-black Ontario vs. "Big Hill" debate doesn't really have much merit. SOME blue squares here are long enough and steep enough to be labelled as blacks in Ontario, but they'll be plenty wide enough to be safe. The blacks are solid blacks, but then the crazy terrain gets labelled as double black, or "cliff" or avalanche area, etc.

Just follow the main trails at first and you'll be fine.

faridk89

Thanks a lot man, now all I need is a flask and I'm good to go

aubzobot

Yea Ski Banff/Big3, Louise, Sunshine and Norquay are operated by the same company basically. I waaaay prefer Louise over Sunshine, and Sunshine over Norquay. You'll have a blast anywhere as Banff has amazing mountains. Have a fun trip!

TorpedoVegas

What everyone is saying about Sunshine having flat spots and shorter runs is true, Louise is the better hill as far as the vertical goes. Louise would be the perfect hill IF it had the snow that Sunshine gets, but it's not even close. Getting great snow at Louise is a rare thing. I hate riding on ice and dodging bare patches, so I prefer Sunshine. The one big plus for Sunshine is the consistent quality of snow. They don't make snow at Sunshine, it's all natural and it will be you best shot at powder when you're here. If the gods are smiling down on you, you might get some powder at Louise, but you usually have to hike for it.

I've had some epic days at Louise, but they always felt like a once in a lifetime thing. I've never had a bad day at Sunshine, but that's cause I value the snow quality over everything else these days.

faridk89

Good advice, I'll want to check Louise out at least once but i'll be sure to keep an eye out on the snow conditions daily

roremc

For the guys above, if you are getting bored at Sunshine you are riding in the wrong places.

faridk89. I would start out at Sunshine to get your legs. Hit up WaWa chair first. Very mellow. The green run off it is flat the blues are very mellow. Depending on snow conditions as it is early season I would head to Goats Eye next. Harder blues but still mellow but much longer. The blacks are hard there. Be careful as some of them cliff out.

From there head to Divide chair. If you get a sunny day the top of the chair has amazing views! loosely follow the lines under the chair. If you go way left you will end up in flat spots. Also at the top of the Divide chair is Delirium Dive. It won't be open but you should be able to hike up (3 mins) and check it out. In there is where most of the Crazy stuff is at Sunshine. Usually it doesn't get good until Feb/Mar and you need a beacon. One look and you will want to come back!
Standish is another chair that could be an option. I think its shit TBH but the punters seem to love it.

At the Lake it will depend on what is open. If it is sunny and there has been snow just head out the to the back bowls. Try the blues out here as the blacks may be a bit rocky still. Larch chair is also great. and if its has been a really good start to the season the steep tree runs here are awesome! Not sure of your dates exactly but if the world cup is still on at Lake Louise make sure you check that out. I know its skiing but when you see them putting hot water on the run to make it even icier you know they are going to go fast!

if you have any q's feel free to ask.

__________________
So many runs so little time.

Replay

I would say that I prefer Sunshine over Louise. Although Louise has its fair share of bowls and trees, I feel that at Sunshine, it feels much more wide open. The runs are not as narrow and it feels like there's a lot more freedom to shred creatively.

And the snow is good too

poutanen

Welcome to the forum!

And that folks, is precisely why I DON'T like sunshine as much. I prefer the bowls of Fernie because there are tons of trees and shit in the way. Same thing with Lake Louise.

Some people prefer open spaces, some people prefer tighter technical runs. I find trees increase my depth perception and also they add contrast to the surrounding area so I can see the snow better. (try boarding on a wide run at the end of the day with the sun going down, in the middle it may be tough to see, get near the trees and all the features in the snow will pop out)

So nobody's right/wrong here. I think we're all in agreement here that in the Banff area, Sunshine and Lake Louise are where it's at.