Bow is about the only thing skiable right now. Tracked pretty good over the weekend, but still freshies to be had. Not too many sharks, but be careful. Mid and back bowl were better.
That's disappointing, especially considering the interior has apparently been in good shape for weeks now.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
Ridiculous. Hopefully they hurt a little due to the economy and bad rep from the last couple seasons and drop prices
Louise - $99
Revvy - $102 (after the extra $7 tax)
Pano - $99 (after the extra $7 tax)
Ticket prices have been going up a couple bucks almost every year at any resort I can think of. And since they're paying more in wages this year, and installed that new chair you love last year, this year out of any a ticket increase should have been expected. Should every resort suffer for raising prices? It's not like rising prices are exclusive to the ski industry, or to Sunshine (and I'm usually the last person to defend Sunshine).
They'll bump them up another $5 this year, people will still be parked from the parking lot to the highway on a weekend, and it supports them raising it another $5 next year. In fact with the free park entrance and low dollar it will probably be busier than ever this year. So they'll be able to raise it $10 next year.
But why on earth are you buying tickets at the window? You know you're going to ski this year get a card, or a Mountain Collective pass, or one of the many other options for buying cheaper tickets.
It is getting ridiculous. At these prices and yearly increases I think that skiing in Western Canada is going to be dead in a generation.
Just like golf IMO.
For 1 day of skiing for a family of 4 you are looking at:
- $420 for tickets
- $20-$30 for lunch and snacks if you pack your own.
- $40 or so for gas
- $20 for park pass.
So about $500/day without including any gear costs.
But why on earth are you buying tickets at the window? You know you're going to ski this year get a card, or a Mountain Collective pass, or one of the many other options for buying cheaper tickets.
I won't be buying at the window and I'll be going to Sunshine and Louise a lot less, simply becoming too expensive to ski at the big Canadian resorts. It's still ridiculous that they raise them every year.
Like the other guys are saying, they're pricing casual skiers out of being able to go skiing with their families and friends. Killing the sport for short term gain.
It is getting ridiculous. At these prices and yearly increases I think that skiing in Western Canada is going to be dead in a generation.
Not saying it's not stupid expensive, but the kicker is though, Western Canada is still cheaper than most places.
Jackson Hole - $130
Telluride - $104
Mammoth - $94 (that's with a pre-purchase discount, can't find current window prices, but they were approx ~$120 a couple years ago.)
Vail - $149 (pre-purchase discount)
Aspen - $145
Breckenridge - $112
And those are in USD.
Japan is on par with our prices, maybe slightly more. And we're cheaper than what I've seen in Europe.
For 1 day of skiing for a family of 4 you are looking at:
- $420 for tickets
- $20-$30 for lunch and snacks if you pack your own.
- $40 or so for gas
- $20 for park pass.
So about $500/day without including any gear costs.
Yeah, golf and skiing are going to find growth to be difficult in the future. I picked up RCR Rockies passes for my kids this year because they were only $20 each. We might make a weekend trip out to Kimberley this year but that will be the only skiing we do. I'll probably go for the cheap days at Norquay just to get out. The annual passes are actually not that expensive but when you have kids playing hockey, doing cheerleading/gymnastics and swimming lessons on weekends it is tough to hit the mountains.
Not saying it's not stupid expensive, but the kicker is though, Western Canada is still cheaper than most places.
Unless you count Whistler and its $140 window tickets.
Anyway, a Louise Plus / Sunshine card combined with the fact that there's no charge for the national park next year takes the sting out of the rates.
__________________ "The great promise of the Internet was that more information would automatically yield better decisions. The great disappointment is that more information actually yields more possibilities to confirm what you already believed anyway." - Brian Eno
Haha I actually have a picture of the forecast for banff as of a couple days ago. Friday was 15 and Saturday was 16. Do I really need to prove this?
Anyways, I went to Sunshine today. Not bad, not great. It was warm but the wind was cold so it wasn't to bad. Snow has obviously seen a few freeze and thaw cycles but coverage wise it wasn't bad.
Its weird that sunshines own website takes you to banffs forecast.
That is odd.
If you've never used mountain-forecast.com it's really good too for finding temps at elevation. I use it for backcountry extensively, and it's pretty good for resorts too. Usually more accurate than the resort pages/nearby towns.
Final reminder that if anyone wants to get the ski/board tune special it ends on Monday. Current price is $25 for skis and $30 for snowboards for complete tune ups. The price goes to our regular rate of $50 on Tuesday.
Just want to say thanks for the info. Brought mine in last week, picked them up Friday. Sweet deal.
