Banff/Lake Louise -

[leahp]

Hey, I know this is the Northeast guide to mountain adventure but we're heading out to Canada for a mini vacation and I wondered if anyone else had been out there recently.

We're hoping to ski at Lake Louise and maybe Sunshine Valley. I've only ever skied locally - Gunstock, Bretton Woods, Loon, Ragged etc

Are the conditions similar - any favourite runs we should try to do? (I'm kind of intermediate - OK on most stuff but not ready for bumps/moguls/really steep black runs/trees - I sound really lame don't I?!?)

Thanks!

 

[dmc]

Are the conditions similar - any favourite runs we should try to do? (I'm kind of intermediate - OK on most stuff but not ready for bumps/moguls/really steep black runs/trees - I sound really lame don't I?!?)

Thanks!

You will LOVE Sunshine Village!!
It's an intermediate paradise.... Open terrain.. Good conditions...

Some really tough stuff too(Delirium Dive)... But it's gate access/tranciever required to get through...

 

[hammer]

(I'm kind of intermediate - OK on most stuff but not ready for bumps/moguls/really steep black runs/trees - I sound really lame don't I?!?)

Not at all -- not everyone on this forum's an advanced or expert skier.

 

[Vortex]

We post here for fun, abilities are not a concern.

 

[smootharc]

I prefer Sunshine, too....

....compared to Banff/LL they actually get snow once in a while (LL is notorious for great terrain, with not alot of fresh), and the terrain is nifty, and the atmosphere is nifty. There are, however, just personal preferences.

 

[RISkier]

I've never been but my wife's uncle lived near there for several years. His children skied there a lot. They say the scenery is absolutely spectacular so you should have a great time. I don't know anything about the terrain or conditions -- Sorry.

 

[awf170]

i went there once and the first day i went to LL and i hated it. Every other day i skied sunshine and loved it. Sunshine is mostly intermidiate terrian if u take the gondola all the way to the village. LL would be good if it snowed there, but it doesnt so its crappy. Cant really remember much more about the trip because i was only 11 and it was 5 years ago.

 

[skintowin]

Lake Louise is really huge. You can find just about anything there. Sunshine Village is pretty big, too, and for some reason gets about twice as much snow as Lake Louise. Both offer up some of the best scenery in the ski world and Banff is a fun town to stay in.

You shouldn't have much trouble finding something you like to ski. Both areas have massive open bowls and miles of groomers. There's plenty of steeps, too.

 

[leahp]

Thanks

Excellent, I'll let you know how it goes.