stick some straps on the top and just say it is your snowboard

 

Also I'll add now that I HAVE to be in the UK for Feb 10-15. Major UK trade show that I have to do or I'm out of a job

Thought I'd better drop that in now.

Ta

Ian

 

Location changed to Banff

Cheers

Paul

 

what's a few more hours on the plane

 

Me, me, me, I'm interested. I can't ski but ought to bounce well.

SGD

 

Matt who works for me says Banff & Whistler are 'kin ace

Ian

 

Ooops, slippage...BTTT

 

- what the heck!

 

I hope you corner that well in snow

Ian

 

Just a word or two which might be of use to some of you:-

1. Banff is an excellent area for beginers and there are plenty of testing runs also (Double Black Diamonds in Banff and Sunshine+Lake Louise).
Your ski pass will cover you for free use of the local ski buses to bus you between the local resorts (anything up to 40miles).

2. At that time of year you really need to make sure you all have very good ski clothing (or board gear). It will be anything up to 30 below on some days, and when you go out at night in town it can be as bad or worse but of course there is no sun to keep you warm :-)

3. For the daredevils there is Delirium Dive which is so bad it's not even a Double Black Diamond, you need to take a homing beakon and a snow shovel with you when you ski it (which they provide at the top) and it's rather steep ;-
I've done it 2 years on the trot and you really do need to have a few days to get your legs (BTW: I've been skiing since I was 4 and was instructing at 18, Delirium Dive is really only suitable for advanced/expert skiers, you have been warned).

4. If you get chance go to Nakiska (if there is fresh powder) it's a bit of a drag (about 2hours in a car), but if it's fresh powder it's a great day.

5. Foods dirt cheap and great. Bumpers Steak House in Banff does massive steaks called Man Mountains for about $25(£12).

6. Don't be tempted to go too close to the Elk that roam around in the town. Last time I was there a guy was killed when he was chased by an angry elk that thought he was going to hurt her baby.

7. Compared to Europe the tows will have hardly any queues (except sometimes during the weekends).

8. It's really cheap to eat on the mountain, not like rip of France. You can get great burgers/pasta etc for about $8(about £4).


POC has made a great choice for location.
Canada is a bit more expensive to get there, but cheaper in the long run compared to Europe.

Unfortunately I will be committed to a project at that time of the year, otherwise I'd love to put my name down.
Enjoy.

 

Paul, that is CRUEL - you are now putting my honeymoon in serious danger!

I will keep an eye on the date of this to see if we can't meet up!

Just to whet the appetite:

http://www.skilouise.com/
http://www.sunshinevillage.com/
http://www.discoverbanff.com/

I'm not yet telling you my favourite cheap hotel, I want to be able to book a room myself at short notice!

BJH

 

I'm up for this.

- a skier who can board.

 

You folks can't go wrong with Banff and Lake Louise, the scenery is just like the post cards. The temperature may be cold, but you get excellent sunshine and clear blue skies. For those who can't snowboard, there is always cardboarding, just grab a piece of cardboard and slide down the slope face down or sitting up. And yes, don't try to feed the moose, or is it the elk? Real mean looking horns.

 

I'm definityely interested but have never been anywhere near skis / boards before. It's about time I changed that. Now to the WRC on Ch4.

Steve

 

Actually I didn't mention, but will now, that last year a woman (who was skiing in Banff) was eaten alive while trying to escape from a mountain lion. This happened actually on the slopes.

It's the first incident of it's type and apparently she'd paniced.
Strange thing was she was a local, who should have known better.
Maybe the lions don't like eating 'foreign muck' :-)

 

awwww crap.. muppet invasion. I mean, welcome, welcome.

I would highly suggest buying your gear in Calgary, you can rent hard goods, like ski's, boots, poles, snowboards and all that jazz in Banff but clothing would be a bit more expensive. Buy synthetic long underware, like polypropalene or fleece, stay away from cotton. If you can find silk long undies, they work like a charm too. I have a set and *love* 'em. Don't get fooled by the bigger is better, you want layers. Layering is the best way to stay warm in the winter, because you are being active so your body is creating heat, you want to be able to cool down or warm up by adding or removing a layer. Same goes at night when out drinking, aways remember your gloves and head ware aka toque.(too-k). I would also suggest when looking for a place to stay, try and find one that has a hot tub/jacuzzi, they are awesome for resting sore muscles and joints and there is nothing cooler than sitting in an outdoor hot tub when it is snowing.

To add one more element to this, if you were to say oh..*come to whistler* you would for sure get to meet most of the candian muppets that haunt the muppet thread. And we (well me) could give the more experienced skiers/ riders a good tour of the mountain. Both area's(Whistler/Banff) are world class and I think better than most of the mountains in Europe. I know because I have spent 4 months snowboarding in Switzerland, France, Italy and Austria. By better I mean, well groomed, well layed out, good directions and friendly staff.
Which ever you choose you will have a riot and will be coming back.

If you have any questions, pop your head into the "i got in trouble" thread and we'll be there.

[uwt]

 

Thanks for the info guys, I rekon this will be a fantastic trip!

So, here are the current contenders!


Me (Paul)
My Bro (Lee)
Tony (Stealth)
Richard (SJ_Skyline)
Anna (scoob_babe)
Ian_Sadler
IanW
Jay m A
Richard Work
Scott (Ice Man)
Emma (ScoobyGrannyDriver)
Brendan Hughes
DPat
stephen30


14 potentials so far!

Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!

 

you love your pigs dont ya Jim!

Up for another trip?

Mail me mate, got some questions for ya!

P

 

How do you like the pics that i mailed you.

JIM

 

Quality jimi!

 

All being well I should be able to make it.

Was blown out this year.

Dan

 

im up for mk... but i dont need lessons is that a problem

 

Would hate anyone to miss out on seeing this

BTTT

 

What? No more takers for a wild week or two on the slopes? And I thought Scoobynet was populated by adrenaline addicts.

SGD

 

Yeh
i'm up for it but give me good warning when the money's needed
only managed 4 days on snow last season but i promised myself more time this year

 

That sounds like fun would be interested let me have details once available.
cheers

 

I'm already booked to go out there with 5 mates from the 15th Jan for two weeks. I was there 3 years ago and learnt to ski and board in Lake Louise. It's a really good place for beginners and experts alike!
If you do arrange it for the same time as my holiday we'll have to meet up out there for a few beers. We are staying in the Rocky Mountain Resort.

Scott

 

Like the sound of this one

Only a beginner but been skiing in the Alps three times and really fed up with the poor snow so was thinking of trying further afield next year! What better way to have fun than with a load of Scoobynetters!!

Lizzy

 

The quality of snow is partly why we are going to Canada next year instead of the Alps. The Alps was a little wet and slushy when I went back in Feb this year. They also speak English which helps especially if your a beginner!

 

POC - sorry mate, count me out of the list. Firstly I won't know until January at the earliest if I can go, secondly I'd go straight from Portugal (which last time meant going via Frankfurt ). Oh, and thirdly I have a kid at school, so I'd be limited to holiday periods only. Bummer.

Constructive suggestion - if you can put the date at early March, it might be warmer. Snowbase and daylight will be better too.

I'll mail you so you've got my address for any questions - profile addy long since died.

Not sure what Rocky Mountain Resort is like, but I would try to find a hotel on the main Banff Avenue drag - much easier for the evening meals and nightlife. RMR means taxis everywhere, I believe (but am ready to be corrected). Right down the end at Swiss Village is too far to walk to town, but at the Red Carpet area it's quite bearable - 10 mins.

Hot tub - If your hotel doesn't have one, don't go there. Everyone has a hot tub.

Happy Monday all!

BJH