So I'm visiting a friend in Calgary for 7 days from Toronto and decided to check out prices for hotels/ski packages in Banff. Saw a deal for 450 tax in for 4 nights/4 day lift pass with rides to and from the mountain and had to pull the trigger
Anyways main question is, what mountain do you guys recommend for an intermediate rider. I'm guessing I'll be sticking to blue runs, everyone who I talked to has told me that Ontario black diamond runs are not nearly as hard as western Canadian black diamond runs, which is understandable considering in Ontario we ride hills not mountains.
I heard that Lake Louise has a lot of crazy runs and I don't really want to waste a day riding a mountain that I won't enjoy as much as the other ones. Was thinking of sticking to two mountains and get familiar with them instead of trying all three
Let me know what you guys think I should do and if any locals can tell me which mountain would have more blue runs that would be great
Man I look at the trail maps for these hills and holy crap are they huge!! My local hill is so tiny in comparison. I wouldn't even know where to start...lol
The question which you should be looking into, is which mountain is lift tickets included in package. Lake Louise, Sunshine, Banff Norquay, and Nakiska are different companies. Its not like there is one lift ticket that allows you to choose any resort. If the tickets are for either Lake Louise or Susnshine, then you're fine. If its Banff Norquay or Nakiska, those are the best places to go. But any of those four places is still alot better then any place out east.
If you are there to "party" make sure you wear protection. Banff is locally known as the STD capital of North America. Wouldn't want you to have a bad experience.
Sure it is, but then again, so are 30 other "resort towns"
To the Original Poster...
Choose between Lake Louise or Sunshine. I would recommend Louise. Sunshine is spread out with flat areas, and you need to know your way to the short-steep stashes that exist there. Sunshine does get much more snow though and it's 30 min closer.
Louise has overall steeper runs (ie: less flats) and much more vertical drop. Plus the views there are spectacular (still beautiful at the 'shine). Massive acreage with plenty of varied terrain.
Either way you're going to have a blast coming from Ontario. Just don't forget to pick up your jaw off the ground. Be a tourist and take pics, it's f'n beautiful there!
Avoid the weekend if possible. In Banff: eat lunch at Barpa Bills and pop into Rude Boys. 7+ years in Banff, that is what I recommend.
To the Original Poster...
Choose between Lake Louise or Sunshine. I would recommend Louise. Sunshine is spread out with flat areas, and you need to know your way to the short-steep stashes that exist there. Sunshine does get much more snow though and it's 30 min closer.
If you guys are beginner/intermediate, the flat areas on Sunshine might be the death of you, we saw lots of boarders unbinding and walking. If you are all strong riders, you'll have no problem holding enough speed to clear the flat spots.
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!
If you are there to "party" make sure you wear protection. Banff is locally known as the STD capital of North America. Wouldn't want you to have a bad experience.
I've only ridden Louise and Sunshine and in early season conditions. Given it was still early season my friends and I all thought Sunshine was more fun, but figured Louise would be better once the base had built up more.
If you guys are beginner/intermediate, the flat areas on Sunshine might be the death of you, we saw lots of boarders unbinding and walking. If you are all strong riders, you'll have no problem holding enough speed to clear the flat spots.
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!
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.
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!
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 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.
Louise = long runs, tons of ride-able mountain.
SSV = better feeling snow (more natural), secluded, quality terrain.
Norquay = Seems good for a windy day as it is sheltered. Also if you are too lazy to stray far from Banff as it is really close.
I would recommend riding a day at SSV and a day at LL, pick your favorite and ride there. No hate for Norquay, but you will get a better "big-mountain experience" at SSV/LL.
alright guys, seems like everyone is in agreement I should at least spend one day at Lake Louise and another in sunshine and than see what I prefer from there... now I have to sit here and wait....
Oh and I'm flying out of Toronto Nov 29th and leaving Dec 6th
Lake Louise is 100 000 0000 times better then sunshine. Evenl though sunshine does have some good days and Hiden gems, Louise is more constant and I think just way more fun to explore, if it's our first time there you will have a blast, dot waste your time at sunshine
iPhone spellcheck makes my posts look funny sometimes lol. But I ment what I said go to Louise out could spend a week straight there and not even come close to riding the whole mountian zzz
do these resorts actually care about leashes? Can't find mine because I've never used it but thinking about getting one and just putting it in my pocket just in case some dick face wants to take out his gf cheating on him by taking me out the lift line for not having one.
Funny story though. I was riding at Sunshine last year and saw a guy drop his board at the top of Delirium Dive. Never seen a board move so quickly. Found it at the bottom. Amazingly still in one piece!
LOL @ Rory. I was just about to tell that story. In terms of comedy on a hill, I think that was the best thing I have ever seen. DAMN it was going fast...
haven't seen a run away board from the top of a hill yet What I have seen is two beginners think its a good idea to hold on to each other and think its a good idea first time on a blue run and pretty much drag each other head over heels down the slope, that was pretty funny.
So i'm flying out of shitty Toronto that has seen maybe 2 mm of snow so far thurs morning, Sunshine looks like its been rapped by snow so I might have to go check it out on my first day of ridding!
I was out there today and it was excellent! Tonnes of snow. I met up with Bluntednose but we didn't get to ride. Very nice kid (as expected). We looked for him after eating but he was nowhere to be found. I think he was dropping some cliffs and taming the Billy Goat.
Louise has hi tech lockers. You put in your credit card and it gives you a code for the day so you can open and close all you want. I think its 7 bucks a day and the locker is huge.
Sunshine you need two loonies (each time you lock it).
RE the lockers. If you don't leave anything of value in the bag you can just leave it in the daylodge. At sunshine if I have a bag I just leave it in the snow outside the day lodge. Heaps of people do it. Just don't leave gold or Jewels in it!
I'm from Toronto, I'd be anal about someone stealing my bag the entire time haha! Plus its not even my bag, owner of my local snowboard shop let me borrow his so rather not take the chance of some kid taking it.
As for the snow i've been creeping LL and Sunshine webcams and it looks bomb as fuck!
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