Skiing 2014-2015 - Page 13 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

undercoverbrother · 02-06-2015, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

It was always weird going to Fortress...you'd drive past Nakiska and could see the bare mountain with only half the runs open, then 30 minutes later you'd be at Fortress riding two feet of powder. I always loved Nakiska in those days because it filtered away all the crappy skiers who opted for the bright new shiny facility over quality riding, leaving Fortress relatively empty.

My recollection of Fortress was that it was a feast or famine.

Sliver · 02-06-2015, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

My recollection of Fortress was that it was a feast or famine.

That's true and the wind could be atrocious. Admittedly, I look at it through rose-coloured glasses.

DownhillGoat · 02-06-2015, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

Admittedly, I look at it through rose-coloured glasses.

Was out there last year for an AST course. Still miss it. At the very least I wish they'd let guys skin up there, even for a fee.

polak · 02-09-2015, 12:06 AM

Sunshines Fb just shared a pic I took on Saturday. What a great day. Too bad it wasn't a bit colder.

troutman · 02-09-2015, 10:27 AM

Lots of snow at Sunshine on Sunday. There is no snow at lower elevations, so the ski out and parking lot was a mess.

The flat parts got really glassy and slippery ex. leading up to the Goat's Eye chair.

brocoli · 02-09-2015, 11:02 AM

Just a heads up for anyone planning on coming down south to Castle. Resort is closed until Friday as they are pushing snow down from the top of the hill to cover the patchwork near the base

polak · 02-09-2015, 11:53 AM

Ouch.

I have two trips to Kimberly the next two weekends. Heard they are in dire straights there too. Hopefully it's improved somewhat since I was there in Christmas...

Northendzone · 02-09-2015, 01:17 PM

we are heading out to lake louise on thursday and then on to panorama for the weekend.

anybody at either place this past weekend - as i'd love a boots on the ground review

as an aside, my sons ski coat and pants fit him at christmas, no longer fit.....sportchek had a sale, but i am not sure that $270 for a burton jacket and pants seems like much of a sale......

does anyone know if costco has any kind of deals on lift tickets for either lake louise or panorama? I looked on their website and found nothing, and i hate to just pop in there and browse

DownhillGoat · 02-09-2015, 01:38 PM

Pano was sick at higher elevations. 60cm + in the wind blown pockets in Tayton Bowl.

That being said anything below pole 8-11 on the second chair was rain. If you're at the summit it's all good. Anything lower not so much. Still raining in town this morning but supposed to taper off over the week.

Costco had tickets as of 2 weeks ago. Can't say if they still do. Surprised they had them that late.

Pano sells advance tickets online. The further out you buy them the larger the discount (around 30%). Substantially smaller discount on the weekend (7%). Although Alberta family day weekend I wouldn't expect much even with buying in advance.

troutman · 02-09-2015, 01:54 PM

My son dropped his pole on Goat's Eye Chair - poor old dad had to ski down Super Model to get his pole back. I'm a good skier, but it was a bit challenging. Steep, narrow, rocky with big moguls.

dubc80 · 02-09-2015, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brocoli

Just a heads up for anyone planning on coming down south to Castle. Resort is closed until Friday as they are pushing snow down from the top of the hill to cover the patchwork near the base

Yep, had a friend who was booked for CAT skiing out that way 2 weeks ago and they got their money back since it was cancelled.

I hope Fernie gets snow this week. I know the resort itself has mediocre conditions right now. I'm heading there to do a CAT trip in the backcountry on Saturday so fingers crossed it will be good...

brocoli · 02-09-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubc80

Yep, had a friend who was booked for CAT skiing out that way 2 weeks ago and they got their money back since it was cancelled.

I hope Fernie gets snow this week. I know the resort itself has mediocre conditions right now. I'm heading there to do a CAT trip in the backcountry on Saturday so fingers crossed it will be good...

I don't want to disappiont you, but Fernie had some great rain this weekend and the hill didn't get cold enough to make it worth while. At the base you can find puddles that will be deep enough to go over top of your rubber boot. Back country was okay, but good luck with the CAT skiing. If you find snow don't tell anybody because everyone around here is searching for it right now

malcolmk14 · 02-15-2015, 11:59 AM

Thinking about heading to Nakiska tomorrow for Family Day but it sounds like they haven't had any snow in a week. It's pretty bare here in the city but has anyone been to Nakiska the last few days? How is it?

Hemi-Cuda · 02-15-2015, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Thinking about heading to Nakiska tomorrow for Family Day but it sounds like they haven't had any snow in a week. It's pretty bare here in the city but has anyone been to Nakiska the last few days? How is it?

Talked to a girl who works patrol at Nakiska who said it was a sloppy muddy mess. This was a week ago, so I'm assuming unless they got a fresh dump of snow that it's even worse now

calgarygeologist · 02-15-2015, 03:12 PM

We are considering putting together a trip to Colorado for next season. If anyone has been down there I would like to hear comments and recommendations. We will rent a 4+ bedroom place via VRBO. Which area would be best? Vail, Beaver creek, Cooper, Breckenridge? Obviously conditions vary but is there a specific time of year that would be best? December, January, February, March? Does anyone have any experience with specific rentals that are 4+ bedrooms that they would recommend?

Wormius · 02-15-2015, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Talked to a girl who works patrol at Nakiska who said it was a sloppy muddy mess. This was a week ago, so I'm assuming unless they got a fresh dump of snow that it's even worse now

Today was better, but so busy. Could barely find parking. Last week was muddy, slushy, overall gross mess.

Barnet Flame · 02-15-2015, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

It was always weird going to Fortress...you'd drive past Nakiska and could see the bare mountain with only half the runs open, then 30 minutes later you'd be at Fortress riding two feet of powder. I always loved Nakiska in those days because it filtered away all the crappy skiers who opted for the bright new shiny facility over quality riding, leaving Fortress relatively empty.

I loved Fortress. It was where I learned to ski as a kid. I have loads of great memories of school ski trips there and laughing and being laughed at by people on the chair as I tumbled down 'Watch Me'.

One of the best days ever was back in 83. There was an absolute ton of snow and it was pure hell getting up the access road. We were really early and just after we made it up, they closed it and we had the best snow I ever saw in my life pretty much all to ourselves.

Went back there around 2000 and am gutted the hill is closed. It really was wonderful there.

DownhillGoat · 02-15-2015, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

Went back there around 2000 and am gutted the hill is closed. It really was wonderful there.

FYI for anyone who wants to reminisce, the company that bought it a few years ago does CAT skiing there now. Not sure if this is the year to go, but something to keep in mind. Looks like a decent operation.

Barnet Flame · 02-15-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

FYI for anyone who wants to reminisce, the company that bought it a few years ago does CAT skiing there now. Not sure if this is the year to go, but something to keep in mind. Looks like a decent operation.

Thanks for that. I usually make it over for a couple of weeks every year, but it is looking bad for this year.

I went to Australia over Christmas so don't think I can justify the expenditure or the use of annual leave this year. I'm really struggling with this decision - going to Calgary, seeing my buddy and spending a couple of weeks skiing, drinking and living the life of a ski bum is usually the highlight of my year.

cam_wmh · 02-16-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgarygeologist

We are considering putting together a trip to Colorado for next season. If anyone has been down there I would like to hear comments and recommendations. We will rent a 4+ bedroom place via VRBO. Which area would be best? Vail, Beaver creek, Cooper, Breckenridge? Obviously conditions vary but is there a specific time of year that would be best? December, January, February, March? Does anyone have any experience with specific rentals that are 4+ bedrooms that they would recommend?

Why Colorado? vs Utah/Wyoming/NorCal/Washington?

I say, because I don't think the fall lines in Colorado, are anything to write home about, vs the other options out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

FYI for anyone who wants to reminisce, the company that bought it a few years ago does CAT skiing there now. Not sure if this is the year to go, but something to keep in mind. Looks like a decent operation.

Great choice. Price is awesome, and they run a great operation. Doesn't hurt to slay some ol Devils' Gulch pow, either. Went last season, but haven't been out this season, due to a pretty scary injury.