Skiing 2014-2015

[Northendzone]

I was looking at websites for both Nakisha and sunshine and the sites suggest openings within the next week or so.

[ranchlandsselling]

When does COP usually open? Thinking about getting out on my board (first time in 5-6 years), couldn't do it well before and havec no friends that board anymore / ever. Figured try COP a few times then maybe head out with buddies that ski if I get my act together. Nakiska seems a bit far for a solo trip.

[ExiledFlamesFan]

Anybody been to the Okanagan resorts? Thoughts on big white, silver star, and apex?

[brocoli]

Originally Posted by ExiledFlamesFan

Anybody been to the Okanagan resorts? Thoughts on big white, silver star, and apex?

Big White is my 2nd favorite hill (behind Whitefish). Lots of chairs and normally short lines. I'm headed there over the reading week break and couldn't be more excited. Usually lots of snow and plenty of runs for everyone.
I may be just a bit biased though as my uncle has a condo directly on the hill, so skiing in and out the back door is amazing (grabbing a beer between runs makes skiing so much more enjoyable).

[polak]

Big White is massive. Like really big. I've skied Whistler and the big resorts in Utah and I don't know the numbers, but it feels in the same league. We had crappy weather so we didn't really ski the whole mountain but we had fun.

This was during a week long ski trip in mid Jan on which we hit Red Mountain, Whitewater, Big White and Revelstoke... Didn't see a single bit of snow or half decent conditions any where (there was grass showing at Red).

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Fresh and Ski Cellar are the Line dealers in town.

They're absolutely... wait for it... sick. I bought a pair last year for a frontside/crappy conditions ski and found myself taking them out as much as if not more than my Bacons. Word of caution though, might want to go a length up from your norm. I wouldn't mind them a tad longer, but I'm using them for touring so a little shorter/lighter won't be horrible. Kind of wish I demo'ed a pair first.

What width did you buy?

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

What width did you buy?

95. Looked at the next ones up, but my Bacons are 108 so didn't see the need to overlap. The 95 can tackle a ton of powder. Not dissapointed with that width at all.

[MacDaddy77]

Where's the best place to get set up for waxing/sharpening skis?

Looking to do it myself now that kids wife and I need it. Figure one purchase should be a wash between buying gear and getting someplace to do it

Looking for

Iron, scraper, edge tool, brush.

Just going to buy a master craft folding bench to do it on

[DownhillGoat]

^MEC if you're looking locally. Monods in Banff has good prices and gear too. Tip: You missed the sharpener. Don't get the KUU sharpener, it likes to gouge bases. Personally I don't use the brush, just a tex pad. YMMV.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Where's the best place to get set up for waxing/sharpening skis?

Looking to do it myself now that kids wife and I need it. Figure one purchase should be a wash between buying gear and getting someplace to do it

Looking for

Iron, scraper, edge tool, brush.

Just going to buy a master craft folding bench to do it on

I'd recommend you get two brushes.I use a silicon/brass brush for rough work and a horsehair brush for fine work. I'd also recommend a tuning stone. Tuning stones are best used after every ski day to prevent the build up of rust or burrs on your edges:


Tuning Stone

Don't cheap out on your sharpener. Different ski manufactures use different edge angles(here's a listing: http://www.jonsskituning.co.uk/content/view/31/41/), so you'll want something with an adjustable angle. I've been using the Fk multi-edge tuner, I haven't tried other sharpeners, but I'm very happy with this one:



I bought all my gear at ski cellar on 17th, but most places sell a lot of the same gear at about the same price. The gear to do your own tune ups costs about the same as getting someone else to do them 3-4 times. Youtube has tons of instructional videos, which should be able to take you the rest of the way.

[polak]

Booking my Jackson Hole trip this week. Looking to go the 3rd week in January for 7 nights (4 days of skiing planned)

BEYOND stoked. I feel like this is a pilgrimage that all skiers must make.

Hopefully we can hit a dump. We are owed one after our terrible ski trip last year.

[MacDaddy77]

Matata, thanks for that! What setting would you recommend I use to sharpen my kids skis ? they are always on groomers. My son is 4 and not really edging but my daughter is 8 1/2 and that's my goal this year with her is to be on edge

I'd like my kids to have the best edge I can give them for their confidence.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Matata, thanks for that! What setting would you recommend I use to sharpen my kids skis ? they are always on groomers. My son is 4 and not really edging but my daughter is 8 1/2 and that's my goal this year with her is to be on edge

I'd like my kids to have the best edge I can give them for their confidence.

You have to be at a fairly advanced level to be able to appreciate the differences in edge angles, they typically only range from 0°-3°. I'd recommend that you refer to the link from my post and just try and maintain the angles set by the manufacture. It can be a real headache to try to modify your edge angles. Just keep those edges clean and sharp, the rest is up to your kids.

[secol]

are there any hills close to calgary that offer early bird discounts of some type for going in November?

[Huntingwhale]

Just got my new boots that I ordered along with some sweet gloves and garments. Super pumped for this season. Skiing is what makes living in a winter climate bearable for me.

[Northendzone]

after some discussion the wife and i finally decided on getting our gear at the ski cellar on macleod - made an appointment to go in there before the shop opens to the public on saturday morning - so we will hopefully get some extra personalized service - fully expect to leave there after dropping $2,000 to gear both of us up.

have also sent a request off for a skipass for my daughter soe we can hopefully save some money over the enxt two skisons........looking forward to transitioning away from playing rec hockey, and skiing witht eh family.

We also booked a condo in radium for christmas, really looking forward to skiing at panorama or radium at christmas

[dubc80]

Originally Posted by secol

are there any hills close to calgary that offer early bird discounts of some type for going in November?

Yeah, most will have early season rates if the hill isn't fully open and the conditions are marginal.

[Northendzone]

today the wife and I pulled the trigger and geared ourselves up at the ski cellar on Macleod.

It was a great shopping experience as we made an appointment to go in 30 minutes before the shop opened.

I was quite surprised at how the boots felt before and after the heat molding.

I bought atomic smoke to skis and atomic boots. Planning on going to Nakisha the weekend after next as my son has a hockey tourney in canal flats next weekend.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

95. Looked at the next ones up, but my Bacons are 108 so didn't see the need to overlap. The 95 can tackle a ton of powder. Not dissapointed with that width at all.

What length and bindings did you go with?

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on these next week.

[DoubleK]

I should add that I have been on Rossignol s80 for the past 4 years.