Question About a Christmas Present (Skiing Related)

[Cerebral]

Hey all, I'm thinking of potentially taking my girlfriend out skiing for Christmas and I'm looking for a good deal. I would ideally like to ski for two days and stay overnight at a hotel in between. Does anyone know of any good package deals? I would ideally like to have the hotel be near the hill (in a perfect world, it would be walking distance) so we can just wake up and go skiing but I suppose that's not an absolute necessity.

Any ideas?

[ken0042]

I assume you've already looked at Sunshine? Their hotel is right at the bottom of the ski hill.
www.skibanff.com

[dubc80]

How close to Calgary are you looking? Sunshine is the closest, with Lake Louise the 2nd closest. (LL doesn't have "on the hill" accomodations).

My favorite hill is Fernie. They have accomodations on the hill, as well as many hotels and B&B's in town, not too far away.

Most of the big resorts in BC have condos and hotels on the hill. Big White in Kelowna, Panorama near Invermere, Sun Peaks near Kamloops... there are tons.

As another tip, there are usually alot of bus trips over the holiday season, I'd recommend booking ASAP!

[Dion]

You could also check out Panorama. Spent Christmas there in the early 90''s.

http://www.panoramaresort.com/index.htm

[Temporary_User]

I don't know what the budget it, but Whistler is the best.

[Kipper is King]

I have heard that the rooms at the Sunshine Inn are rather tiny, and that the feeling of isolation (and boredom) when the gondola shuts down for the evening is rather depressing. That was just one person's opinion, however. I have never stayed there.

[Cerebral]

I know all the ski hills (I live in Calgary), I was just wondering if any of the sites had a ski-and-stay sort of deal. Sunshine has one but it's looking like it might almost make more sense price-wise to just stay in either Canmore or Banff and then drive out to ski the next day.

Does anyone know any decent hotels in Banff or Canmore? I would ideally like something pretty nice (something that looks more lodgey than hotelly would be great if you know what I mean) that isn't a huge amount of money.

[RW99]

Yup, Sunshine Inn like that. And that's really the only ski in/out type of property if you're looking for Sunshine/Lake Louise area. Whistler sounds like it's definitely out of your price range and anyway Whistler is pretty much booked up for Christmas. Banff will be cheap, but you have to take the ski shuttle. The only other hills with close hotels and some decent availability will be Fernie and Panorama.

Edit: Saw your new post...

In Banff for 'lodgey', there's places like the Spruce Grove, Caribou Lodge. There's the new place, Fox Hotel & Suites as well, but might be slightly higher in price.

[Dion]

From Panorama's site......

Packages starting from $169 per adult

Weekday or weekend - ride without the crowds and enjoy Panorama's majestic mountain scenery.

http://www.panoramaresort.com/accomm...free/index.htm
Package Includes:

• 2 nights Bronze slope-side accommodation
• 2 days of skiing
• Access to the incredible Panorama Springs Hot Pools

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by Dion

From Panorama's site......

Packages starting from $169 per adult

Weekday or weekend - ride without the crowds and enjoy Panorama's majestic mountain scenery.

http://www.panoramaresort.com/accomm...free/index.htm
Package Includes:

• 2 nights Bronze slope-side accommodation
• 2 days of skiing
• Access to the incredible Panorama Springs Hot Pools

That's not a bad deal at all, I'll have to check it out. How far of a drive would Panorama be from Calgary?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

That's not a bad deal at all, I'll have to check it out. How far of a drive would Panorama be from Calgary?

You're looking at about a 4 hour drive. Trust me it's an awesome place to spend a weekend - you and g/f won't regret it.

[Cerebral]

Originally Posted by Dion

You're looking at about a 4 hour drive. Trust me it's an awesome place to spend a weekend - you and g/f won't regret it.

That's not half bad, I might give them a call tomorrow and check it out. I aw assuming I would just end up staying somewhere in Banff or Canmore but it would be nice to get out somewhere different. How many runs does Panorama have in comparison to Lake Louise/Sunshine?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

That's not half bad, I might give them a call tomorrow and check it out. I aw assuming I would just end up staying somewhere in Banff or Canmore but it would be nice to get out somewhere different. How many runs does Panorama have in comparison to Lake Louise/Sunshine?

Couldn't tell you. Been off the boards for quite a number of years due to bad knees and all - too many moguls at high speed.

Check both websites and they should give you a rough idea.

[Cerebral]

I'm debating over whether or not I want to book this Panorama package or not. If I do, we'll likely be going up for January 7 and 8 and coming back on the 9th. What are the driving conditions usually like in early January? Will I be able to drive up their fine or is there a decent chance the roads will be closed/driving will be terrible?

Does anyone know of a bus service that would ship us off there? How much would a return ticket likely be per person?

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cerebral

I'm debating over whether or not I want to book this Panorama package or not. If I do, we'll likely be going up for January 7 and 8 and coming back on the 9th. What are the driving conditions usually like in early January? Will I be able to drive up their fine or is there a decent chance the roads will be closed/driving will be terrible?

Does anyone know of a bus service that would ship us off there? How much would a return ticket likely be per person?

I'll second the panorama vote. I stayed there about 10 years ago (sorry, possibly old info) and it was really good. Hot tubs, nice lodge, ski to your door...

The drive isn't bad. If you drive like a sane person, a winter drive to invermere should be 4 hours. Just make sure they don't have the gates down at the entrance to the 93. Never seen 'em closed, but it'd sure throw a wrench in your plans if they were. Alternate route is via the 2 or 22 (south) through crowsnest.

[DFO]

You could also check out Kicking Horse in BC. Excellent skiing/riding and hotel/condo choices on the mountain I think.