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Conference kaosws::canada

Title:True North Strong & Free
Notice:Introduction in Note 535, For Sale/Wanted in 524
Moderator:POLAR::RICHARDSON
Created:Fri Jun 19 1987
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1040
Total number of notes:13668

84.0. "Christmas skiing around Calgary?" by CHEFS::SCARR () Fri Jul 15 1988 17:05

    Hi,
    I posted the note below in the skiing notesfile to get some info
    on Canadian skiing .... it sounds to be a great place to ski. What
    I would still like to know is if Chistmas ( Dec 19th to Jan 8th
    window) is a reasonable time to expect good skiing.
    Anybody got any views on the subject? .... I could put the vacation
    back to later in the season (what date would be best?), but would
    prefer Christmas.
    
    Thanks to those who find time to help.
    
    Cheers 
    Bob 
    
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                                  -< Skiing >-
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Note 848.0                  CANADIAN Skiing @ XMAS??                     1 reply
CHEFS::SCARR                                         48 lines  27-JUN-1988 12:59
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  Hi,
  I have the opportunity of spending two/three weeks in Canada over the 
  Christmas period ... I would hope to spend some of this time skiing.
  Any assistance/information would be greatly appreciated.
  
  I would be based at Calgary and the dates are 19th Dec '88 through 8th Jan 
  '89. I have only skied Europe and, there, December is a little early to be 
  sure of getting good skiing. 
  
  Background: I would rate myself as an Intermediate skier, and prefer a 
  resort with large ski area. Ideally I would like to use Calgary as a 
  home-base for 1, 2 or 3 day trips. This will be my first trip, of any sort, 
  outside of Europe.
  
  I have a few questions:
  
       1. Will I be able to find any good skiing at that time of year (within 
       	  a couple of hours drive)?
       2. If not how far would I have to travel to get some skiing?
       3. Would it make a significant difference if the two weeks were at 
       	  start or end of the period.
       4. What are the best resorts to try ... I would like to try a few if 
       	  possible? If resorts are small then I don't mind moving every 
       	  couple of days.
       5. Will resorts be open over the holiday period - Christmas day etc?
       6. What should I expect to pay for:
       	    	 a) Ski/Boot hire?
       	    	 b) Days lift pass?
       	    	 c) Accommodation ... for odd nights?
       7. What sort of weather conditions should I expect at that time of 
       	  year: cold, snowy, sun?
       8. On a general note, I would appreciate any pointers to things to do 
       	  and see in the Calgary area - other than ski ... just in case!
       9. Finally if consensus is that Christmas would not be a good time to 
       	  ski, when would be the best time of year around Calgary.

       Useful info of any sort will be well recieved.
    
    
  Many thanks to those who can find the time to help.
  
  I can be found on CHEFS::SCARR
       	    	    899 5139
  
  Cheers
  
  Bob
           
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84.1Info on Christmas skiing.HAN05::LAZARUKMon Jul 18 1988 08:2441
    Bob,
    The ski season actually kicks off each year by November, but probably
    the best time of year for skiing is February/March.  And the absolute
    best is April (spring skiing) if the snow remains good.  But, even
    by the end of December the conditions are usually prime.  I hate
    to make any sort of guarantees, because as was demonstrated during
    the Olympics, the weather has become really, really inconsistent.
    For the duration of most of the games, the temperature rarely dropped
    below 10 degrees Celsius during the daytime, and for several of
    those days, it peaked at a maximum of up to 28 degrees celsius.
    It really was crazy.  However, that's in the city.  Fortunately,
    the chinooks don't touch down until they've completely crossed over
    the mountains.
    Banff townsite is about a 1 and a half hour drive from the center
    of Calgary, Lake Louise about 2 hours.  To Jasper is about 4 or
    5 hours.  To Banff and Lake Louise, throughout the whole season,
    Brewster operates a bus service up to the ski slopes.  I'm not really
    sure about the cost of that, I would estimate at around 30-40 dollars
    round trip, but they always include the lift ticket in the price.
    Lift tickets - the cheapest I've ever seen is Fortress ($17) and
    the most expensive that I'm aware of is Nakiska ($26).  Nakiska
    is probably a little pricier because that's where all the Olympic
    events were held.  However, Fortress is located in the same valley
    as Nakiska, and probably has more favorable snow conditions.
    Concerning rentals, I really wouldn't have any idea about that.
    And about what else there is to see other than skiing - up in the
    mountains, there is still great hiking trails even in winter.  As
    a matter of fact, winter hiking is better, because everything is
    so much more picturesque and there's usually nobody around for miles.
    There's a canyon by Banff (Johnson's Canyon) which has a little
    river flowing down.  In the winter, huge ice formations form all
    the way up the canyon.  There's also very well developed cross-country
    skiing facilities, in the Kananaskis Valley.  And like I said before,
    the weather is very unusual.  I've been out suntanning in February
    and late January for the past couple of years.  And in Calgary itself,
    there's practically no snow.  But, once you're in the mountains,
    there's much more snow, and it's quite a bit colder.  I've already
    forgotten what some of your other questions may have been, but if
    you have anything specific, let me know.  By the way, where is CHEFS?
    I'm new to DEC, and it's actually my first time on the continent.
    Chris/Hanover
84.2Santa lives in Banff!!KAOA05::FREREEric Frere @KAO DTN 621-2184Mon Jul 18 1988 15:4627
    I agree with Chris (.1) on all fronts.  I don't think that you'll
    have trouble finding snow in Dec. (Nov. is usually the start of
    the ski season).  I recommend that you base yourself in Banff (or
    Canmore) instead of Calgary (you don't want to waste time and energy
    on the road).  In Banff, you can buy a weekly (or longer) pass from
    a tour organization (Ski Banff??, the name escapes me) which is
    honored at most resorts (at least Lake Louise, Sunshine Village
    and Norquay).  I believe that it also comes with the bus ride to
    and from the slopes.
    
    For an intermediate skier, the above ski areas will be enjoyable
    (and, if you want, challenging).  Norquay is good because it's VERY
    close to the townsite.  Louise is the furthest but has the best
    variety of run (and longest).  Sunshine is reknowned for it's abundance
    of snow (first to open, last to close) and deep powder.
    
    Piece of advice:  Book you hotel room, air tix NOW!!  Christmas
    is always a full house.
    
    Rentals:  There are many ski shops in Banff where you can rent
    equipment for the whole stay.  I don't know the recent prices since
    I left Banff in '82.  If you're on a tight budget, bring your own
    equipment.
    
    Good Skiing!!
    
    Eric
84.3Thanks for the infoCHEFS::SCARRTue Jul 26 1988 12:3315
    Hi Chris/Eric,
    Thanks for the information ... looks like I will be there for
    Christmas. I probably will be basing myself in Calgary as my sister
    is on her way there for a one year exchange ( so accomodation is
    no problem!). As she doesn't ski I don't expect to get more than
    two or three days away at any one time ... but I take the advice
    about booking early. 
    
    Thanks again for all the help.
    
    Bob
    
    PS. Chris, CHEFS is the Cluster alias for Queens House, Reading,
    UK. If you are ever in town give me a call.
    
84.4Hope the plans are going well.HAN05::LAZARUKFri Aug 05 1988 07:5621
    Hi Bob.  On what type of exchange is your sister going?  Is it a
    student type exchange, or a work exchange, or what?  I myself am
    here in Hanover until September on an exchange type thing.  The
    purpose is to gain specific, hands-on work experience in one's field.
    Back to the skiing topic, I've been trying to think of what other types
    of activities we have during the winter.  Like I had said previously,
    there's always lots of outdoor/sport activities (hiking, cross country,
    skating, winter camping, etc.).  Skating is a personal favorite
    of mine.  I hadn't skated for years, since I was quite young, and
    then about 3 years ago, I dug out an old pair of my father's skates,
    and I'm continually progressing.  But, if you're expecting lots
    of deep snow and cold weather in Calgary in December (I'm not speaking 
    about the mountains now), then you won't find it.  For 4 to 5 years
    now, there hasn't been any snow on Christmas Day.  Three years ago,
    it was 17 degrees Celsius on CD.  So, skating/skiing/what have you,
    hasn't been too good in the past couple Decembers.  But I'm digressing.
    I just wouldn't want you to be disappointed, expecting a great
    cosmopolitan city like Toronto or New York for example.  Calgary
    is fairly big, but hasn't aged yet.  And up in the mountains, there's
    always something fun to do, summer or winter.  So, let us know if
    you make any definite plans.  For now, Chris.