2011-12 Skiing Thread

[troutman]

http://www.skibanff.com/conditions

http://www.skilouise.com/conditions/snow-report.php

http://www.skinakiska.com/conditions/snow-report.aspx

http://banffnorquay.com/local-inform...itions-webcam/

http://www.skimarmot.com/u/snowreport.phtml

http://www.skicastle.ca/snowreport.cfm

http://www.skifortress.com/

http://www.kickinghorseresort.com/cu...onditions.aspx

http://www.skifernie.com/conditions/snow-report.aspx

http://www.panoramaresort.com/mountain/weather-forecast

http://www.skikimberley.com/conditions/snow-report.aspx

http://www.revelstokemountainresort....ather-forecast

[troutman]

SunshineVillage Sunshine Village
Heavy snow expected today & tonight @ #SunshineVillage!

SkiLouise Lake Louise Ski Area
13 Cm of fresh snow on the ground this morning at #lakelouise

SkiLouise Lake Louise Ski Area
Open for the season tomorrow!

[MarchHare]

Question: if two vehicles leave downtown Calgary at the same time, one heading to Sunshine and the other to Louise, which group starts skiing sooner? Obviously going to Louise is a further drive, but is Sunshine still closer once you factor in the gondola ride to the ski area?

[RatherDashing]

Expected Openings:

Nakiska-Last weekend (October 29th)
Lake Louise-Tomorrow (November 5th)
Sunshine-Thursday, November 10th??
Kicking Horse-Friday, December 9th
Revelstoke-Saturday, December 3rd
Fernie-Friday, December 2nd
Castle-Saturday, December 10th
Marmot Basin-Friday, November 11th

Anybody planning on hitting up Louise this weekend? With just two runs open, it should be the classic Wiwaxy 500, but would be nice to get back on the skis.

[dubc80]

Are snowboarders allowed in this thread?

[troutman]

I've been told Fortress Mountain could re-open in the New Year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_Mountain_Resort

Fortress Mountain Holdings Ltd. is headed by Joey O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien's ski industry experience includes formerly owning Ski Martock in Nova Scotia for 25 years, and performing as COO for Alpine Canada Alpin[1].

The resort requires substantial upgrades and will remain closed until they are completed.

Fortress Mountain Holdings will release periodic updates via Ski Fortress

[macker]

[QUOTE=RatherDashing;3363950]Expected Closings :


And for those who like to hit the back country :
Highway #40; Peter Lougheed Provincial Park to Highwood House Junction is closed December 1st to June 14 inclusive.

Get out there before December 1st!!


Anybody have any snow reports for this particular area?

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Question: if two vehicles leave downtown Calgary at the same time, one heading to Sunshine and the other to Louise, which group starts skiing sooner? Obviously going to Louise is a further drive, but is Sunshine still closer once you factor in the gondola ride to the ski area?

Sunshine, even if you don't park like a chump (me). The gondola really isn't that slow, a little under 15 minutes I believe (or less than 10 if you want to ride the goat in the morning). I usually just walk out of my truck without really getting anything ready, and then get gear together in the gondola. By the time your boots are laced etc your there.

You can also get your sunshine card linked to your credit card and go direct to lift. The lines are often terrible for lift tickets, but you can go inside and use a self serve machine which is usually pretty quick.

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Sunshine, even if you don't park like a chump (me). The gondola really isn't that slow, a little under 15 minutes I believe (or less than 10 if you want to ride the goat in the morning). I usually just walk out of my truck without really getting anything ready, and then get gear together in the gondola. By the time your boots are laced etc your there.

You can also get your sunshine card linked to your credit card and go direct to lift. The lines are often terrible for lift tickets, but you can go inside and use a self serve machine which is usually pretty quick.

Yes, I had my Sunshine card linked to my credit card last year, so I could bypass the ticket queue. The gondola ride is about 25 minutes to the top, though, based on previous tests where I've timed it.

[troutman]

People were boycotting Sunshine last year. Will they have bigger crowds this year?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by ShaolinFlame

Sunshine, even if you don't park like a chump (me). The gondola really isn't that slow, a little under 15 minutes I believe (or less than 10 if you want to ride the goat in the morning).

No way that's only a 10-15 minute ride.

[mrbanffgirl]

Originally Posted by troutman

I've been told Fortress Mountain could re-open in the New Year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortress_Mountain_Resort

Fortress Mountain Holdings Ltd. is headed by Joey O'Brien. Mr. O'Brien's ski industry experience includes formerly owning Ski Martock in Nova Scotia for 25 years, and performing as COO for Alpine Canada Alpin[1].

The resort requires substantial upgrades and will remain closed until they are completed.

Fortress Mountain Holdings will release periodic updates via Ski Fortress

It would AWESOME if this were to happen, but the likely hood of it happening this season are slim. (unless they have been working over the summer on it) The major upgrades would be The lodge, The road, the bridge and a serious over haul of all the lifts that have been sitting dormant over the last few years. the guy's how tried this before ran in to trouble with each of these items and put make up on a pig to try and get approval from the AB govt. I would be extremely surprised if this happened, but extremely happy if it cam true!

[mrbanffgirl]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Question: if two vehicles leave downtown Calgary at the same time, one heading to Sunshine and the other to Louise, which group starts skiing sooner? Obviously going to Louise is a further drive, but is Sunshine still closer once you factor in the gondola ride to the ski area?

What time are you leaving Calgary?
If you left at 6:45 you's be good to go at sunshine first, Leave at 8:00 and you'd be on the chair at the Lake first.

[bomba]

Hey guys, I didn't know where else to post this so this might do:

I got a mailer the other day from Sunshine for the seasons pass and there was a coupon from the Fairmont Banff Springs that looks pretty good:

CODE - PSSP - Gets you 20% off and a 3rd night free on a 3 night stay! You have to book before November 15.

I just booked from Dec 30-Jan 2 and it was $750 taxes in... Other times later in the ski season its like $600 taxes in

http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/

[macker]

New Snow Patrol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_hhc-QLbyQ Album out January 10th for your Cold Play....

[troutman]

How about a CP "Bustloose" Ski weekend this winter?

http://www.bustloose.com/cms_travel_...200&CMSPID=179

The 40 passenger Rock Star party bus is unlike any school bus you have ever seen. It features a fully reconfigured plush interior with free-flow seating, state of the art lighting, dance poles and an 8,000-watt CD/MP3 stereo-sound system. Additionally, this mobile party features tinted windows to help create the proper party mood, and a paintjob that is anything but the classic cheese-wagon yellow.

[Bunk]

I'm more and more convinced that Castle is the best hill in the region. Sure, it has a terrible lodge and crappy lifts - it's also further than Sunshine or Louise, but that's what keeps the big crowds away. Amazing terrain, great snow. Plus little old ladies give you hugs as they scan your lift ticket.

[username]

No love for Revy Troutman? Best resort in western Canada:

http://www.revelstokemountainresort....ather-forecast

already a 55cm base.

Oh ya, for those that buy a Louise card - it's also valid at Revy, Kicking Horse and Castle. IMO, the best 4 resorts in and around Calgary.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by username

Oh ya, for those that buy a Louise card - it's also valid at Revy, Kicking Horse and Castle. IMO, the best 4 resorts in and around Calgary.

Nice to see Revy's on a card now.

Originally Posted by troutman

How about a CP "Bustloose" Ski weekend this winter?

That would be awesome.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by username

No love for Revy Troutman? Best resort in western Canada:

http://www.revelstokemountainresort....ather-forecast

already a 55cm base.

Oh ya, for those that buy a Louise card - it's also valid at Revy, Kicking Horse and Castle. IMO, the best 4 resorts in and around Calgary.

I will add that, but is it about 5 hours away?