2021-22 Ski/Snowboard Season

[surferguy]

Honest question - is Fernie even open early April?

I’ll wait on others to comment but Fernie IMO that time of year is on its last legs.

[Tron_fdc]

Living and skiing the last 5-6 years in Fernie I can tell you there is a very good chance that it will be spring like in April. If there’s precipitation it will likely be rain. Now that being said, I’ve also seen it DUMP in April, but that’s not ordinary.

There’s decent groomers for racing (my kids all race here) but it’s not as good as Kimberly or Pano.

I’d think about putting Sun Peaks on your list. You won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for Louise-like groomers. Great accommodations and a really cool village vibe.

[Flames0910]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Honest question - is Fernie even open early April?

I’ll wait on others to comment but Fernie IMO that time of year is on its last legs.

Last weekend is April 15/16 this year so expect a spring vibe at easter for sure.

I'd second the poster who suggested Sun Peaks, and also add Big White to the list -- especially for someone who loves to rip groomers

[brocoli]

I'll second the Big White comment. That is a hill that never feels busy and always groomed runs throughout the day. You will most likely get spring skiing by that point, but you can stay up top and there is snow to find

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by RoadGame

Hoping for some advice. I will be on my own for Easter this year (April 9/10 weekend) and want to take the opportunity to visit a resort I have never been to before. The contenders are Fernie, Kimberley, Revelstoke, Jasper. I am leaning to Fernie because of the drive time and logistics around my dog, but from some googling I'm a bit worried Fernie in April may be a bad bet.

For context, my favourite kind of skiing is fast carving on groomed runs on my race skis (i.e. Panorama front side is my idea of heaven), but I also have a pair of Kore 93s and was thinking Fernie would be the place to put those to work moreso.

Actual skiing is going to be high-risk stocks at any of those places.

I'd lean to Jasper. The drive is phenomenal, and it's much nicer to do in April than the dead of winter. The parking lots are above the lodge/base lifts, so you can ski right to your car and play with the doggo a few times very easily.

Main downside is that it's like 25 min drive from townsite. I can't say any groomers stand out to me, but that's not really my jam and I don't think it would be much different than Fernie in that regard.

[RoadGame]

I appreciate the quick feedback. Sun Peaks and Big White are on my bucket list for sure, I just don't think I can make the timing work for this trip. I do love my groomers, but knowing that's not really what Fernie or Marmot are about I'm happy to dust off my powder skis and work on those skills.

I guess it comes down to whether Fernie or Marmot (or Revy?) is the safer bet for Easter, and it's sounding like Marmot with the early lead.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by RoadGame

I appreciate the quick feedback. Sun Peaks and Big White are on my bucket list for sure, I just don't think I can make the timing work for this trip. I do love my groomers, but knowing that's not really what Fernie or Marmot are about I'm happy to dust off my powder skis and work on those skills.

I guess it comes down to whether Fernie or Marmot (or Revy?) is the safer bet for Easter, and it's sounding like Marmot with the early lead.

If you’re hoping for best conditions possible sunshine is probably your best option.

Anywhere else I’d be planning for a backup plan. Like fishing, hiking or mountain biking.

I’ve heard fernie is already pretty questionable and it’s only march 6.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by RoadGame

I appreciate the quick feedback. Sun Peaks and Big White are on my bucket list for sure, I just don't think I can make the timing work for this trip. I do love my groomers, but knowing that's not really what Fernie or Marmot are about I'm happy to dust off my powder skis and work on those skills.

I guess it comes down to whether Fernie or Marmot (or Revy?) is the safer bet for Easter, and it's sounding like Marmot with the early lead.

LL/SSV are always gonna be the best bets for conditions that time of year, but it's also typically 'full winter' mode with a touch of spring skiing in the afternoon.

Revy is mega. I'd try to go in Feb or Mar though, and the highway should fully open winter after next, which'll be a lot better than current. Fernie is also best enjoyed in Feb/Mar.

[kevman]

Originally Posted by Weitz

I’ve heard fernie is already pretty questionable and it’s only march 6.

Can confirm that's incorrect. Fernie was great this last weekend.

Yes, it's a low snow year but the conditions are the best they've been all season. (Finally.)

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by kevman

Can confirm that's incorrect. Fernie was great this last weekend.

Yes, it's a low snow year but the conditions are the best they've been all season. (Finally.)

Aren't Griz Days soon?

If I recall Fernie usually is good for a March dump or two

[spetch]

So my little ones finished there lessons up this weekend and had a blast! We were thinking of taking them over Spring break at the end of the month. Would Lake Louise be worth while trying to get a last couple days of learning/fun for them? I doubt we would venture much beyond the magic carpet and some extreme runs down WiWaxy. Our original plan was to hit up Canyon in Red Deer again, but they are closing, so why not try a last minute mountain trip.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by spetch

So my little ones finished there lessons up this weekend and had a blast! We were thinking of taking them over Spring break at the end of the month. Would Lake Louise be worth while trying to get a last couple days of learning/fun for them? I doubt we would venture much beyond the magic carpet and some extreme runs down WiWaxy. Our original plan was to hit up Canyon in Red Deer again, but they are closing, so why not try a last minute mountain trip.

I suggest Norquay or Nakiska. Save the extra commute.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

I suggest Norquay or Nakiska. Save the extra commute.

Driving probably not a big deal (we are thinking of staying a couple nights anyways since its a decent drive for us). Is LL just not worth it this year or will it just be too busy? We are thinking of doing a W-F kinda of trip. Nakiska sounds like it might be a decent option though.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by spetch

Driving probably not a big deal (we are thinking of staying a couple nights anyways since its a decent drive for us). Is LL just not worth it this year or will it just be too busy? We are thinking of doing a W-F kinda of trip. Nakiska sounds like it might be a decent option though.

Won't be busy at all and the green runs are totally fine. If that's where you want to be (most beautiful scenery, most modern lifts, best lodge, etc.) then go for it.

I was there on Saturday - had heard West Bowl was open and was totally disappointed that it wasn't. I haven't ridden that all year, which is such a let down as we practically lived in there last year. Was still okay. You have to be comfortable with hitting rocks here there and everywhere, but at least this latter half of the season is better than the first half.

[Fuzz]

End of March at LL will be great, particularly mid-week. No real crowds to worry about, and the snow will be good unless a freak rain storm or melt/freeze hits. But I think you do have to pay full pass price, even if just using the magic carpet. If it is spring conditions, just don't go super early. And if you are staying in Canmore/Banff, might be a worth a day at Norquay. Good kids skiing off of Cascade.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Won't be busy at all and the green runs are totally fine. If that's where you want to be (most beautiful scenery, most modern lifts, best lodge, etc.) then go for it.

I was there on Saturday - had heard West Bowl was open and was totally disappointed that it wasn't. I haven't ridden that all year, which is such a let down as we practically lived in there last year. Was still okay. You have to be comfortable with hitting rocks here there and everywhere, but at least this latter half of the season is better than the first half.

My thoughts were LL would be a good into to mountains for them, since it has a bit of everything. They haven't even been on a chairlift yet so that is one thing that worries me, but figured if they were too scared to try it we still have the gondola for a nice long run. Nakiska's Bronze chair might be something to learn off of better though. I guess I was more worried about the conditions this late in the season. It's been such a long time since I've been out to the mountains in the winter I fell like a newbie.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by spetch

My thoughts were LL would be a good into to mountains for them, since it has a bit of everything. They haven't even been on a chairlift yet so that is one thing that worries me, but figured if they were too scared to try it we still have the gondola for a nice long run. Nakiska's Bronze chair might be something to learn off of better though. I guess I was more worried about the conditions this late in the season. It's been such a long time since I've been out to the mountains in the winter I fell like a newbie.

Yeah, fair enough. At this stage I really wouldn't be worried about the conditions for the runs you're talking about and at least the gondola isn't intimidating for little kids.

Fuzz is right, too, though. For main runs all the hills should be just fine.

[Torture]

Originally Posted by spetch

My thoughts were LL would be a good into to mountains for them, since it has a bit of everything. They haven't even been on a chairlift yet so that is one thing that worries me, but figured if they were too scared to try it we still have the gondola for a nice long run. Nakiska's Bronze chair might be something to learn off of better though. I guess I was more worried about the conditions this late in the season. It's been such a long time since I've been out to the mountains in the winter I fell like a newbie.

Lake Louise has a new beginner chair that goes half way up the Juniper area. Checking the map, it says they're all blues so maybe beginner is wrong, but they're pretty light frontside blues...not sure they're really any harder than the greens off Glacier or the Gondola.

Nakiska is great for learning if you're coming from Calgary since it's so much closer, but if you're making a trip of it anyways, go to Lake Louise.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Torture

Lake Louise has a new beginner chair that goes half way up the Juniper area.

Nakiska is great for learning if you're coming from Calgary since it's so much closer, but if you're making a trip of it anyways, go to Lake Louise.

I find the runs off that new chair kinda meh - even for beginners. I did one rip down it on Saturday after coming out of Maintenance Bowl and what I find weird is how much speed you need to make it to the lodge. Do kids have to kind of walk out of there? I was probably going 75 kph and even with that I just kind of coasted to the lodge at the end. Something isn't right there.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I find the runs off that new chair kinda meh - even for beginners. I did one rip down it on Saturday after coming out of Maintenance Bowl and what I find weird is how much speed you need to make it to the lodge. Do kids have to kind of walk out of there? I was probably going 75 kph and even with that I just kind of coasted to the lodge at the end. Something isn't right there.

You definitely don't need that much speed to get through the flat at the bottom of the berry runs. I snowboard and have been down those runs many times with my kids and I always make it out without needing to do 75km/h (probably less than half that speed.) The only time I had any issues was on a decent powder day.