Best time for snowboarding

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Permalink Reply by Troy Mackenzie on April 3, 2008 at 2:22am

Personally, I think march is the best month. Main reason is the weather. Snows a lot in march but also more bluebird days. Pow up top, spring slush lower mountain. You come in Dec, less snow & busy. Jan- Feb can be great, but we usually get a couple cold snaps that can last a week or more. Bulletproof when it's like that and no fun. Jan - feb also more stormy which is great for snow, but visibility and alpine access can be a problem. Apr isn't bad if spring conditions are what your after. Soft snow (after 11am or so) and sunny days. But could get warm spell and springtime rain. May - June is when the mountains are like a ghost town due to having to download, one mountain closes altogether and the other has few lifts running, and everyone is biking anyway.

If I were you, I would skip big white & silver star and add sunshine village which is close to lake louise. Maybe check out red mountain too.

BC is a HUGE province, especially when you include a bit of alberta, so be prepared for lots of travelling!

Hope this helps.
Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Micko on April 6, 2008 at 10:22am

Thanks for your answer. I did forgot to mention Sunshine.
Why would you skip Big White and Silver Star?

As for now my plans are:
2 weeks in Banff (Lake Louise, Sunshine, Ski Norquay)
Then my girlfriend will join me and stay there for another 3 days.
Then the route is as follows:
Kicking Horse (2 days)
Fernie (5 days)
Big White (4 days)
Silver Star (2 days)
Whistler (11 days)

Any comments on the duration of the stays or suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Troy Mackenzie on April 6, 2008 at 2:36pm

Hi again,
Sounds like a fantastic trip! I am jealous. It's been many, many years since I have been to big white & silver star so my opinions may no longer be valid but both these "family" ski hills don't have the massive terrain & vertical of other BC mountains, and (at the time) there was no night life. I would check out Red mountain in the kootenays. Another mountain I would rather hit is sun peaks in Kamloops (about 3 hr drive from Whistler). Again, I haven't been to big white-out or ss for many years. I haven't been to Fernie or Kicking horse ever, but hear good things about them. I can tell you that Lake Louise ROCKS almost as hard as Whistler.

Sounds like a hell of a trip. Make sure your in shape before you come!
Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Micko on April 9, 2008 at 9:02am

Thought about it for a few years, finally planned it, booked the ticket yesterday.
I will check out Red Mountain.

Another question:
We're planning to hire a car to visit the ski arera's between Banff and whistler.
In Europe snow/tyre chains are obligatory when visiting Ski Area's. Are they also obligatory in Alberta/British Columbia?

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Permalink Reply by Troy Mackenzie on April 9, 2008 at 10:53am

Unfortunately, no. You might be able to get chains but most rental companies don't have snow tires on them which is insane. Not even the 4 wheel drives have snow tires. We really need to change the laws regarding this because it's wrong. If you have chains, you'll be alright. Maybe try to get a 4 wheel drive rental.

Cheers

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Permalink Reply by Micko on April 9, 2008 at 3:28pm

Hmmm, that's strange in a country with that much snow. Even in Germany (some parts have not much snow) you have to have winter tyres in the winter period. (you're not insured if you don't)

Do you know any good site to book an accomodation?

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Permalink Reply by Troy Mackenzie on April 12, 2008 at 2:58pm

Probably whistler.com

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Permalink Reply by Whistler Outfitters on April 13, 2008 at 2:54am

Whistler Outfitters offers great deals and you can book right online. Whistler.com gets good deals on little condos and refers you to the phone for callbacks etc. which is a hassle.

You can get a great deal far in advance and book online in seconds at this link to the best online Whistler accommodation bookings: Whistler Hotels

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Permalink Reply by Micko on October 9, 2008 at 4:41pm

Hi Troy,

I did check out Red Mountain and decided to go there instead of Silver Star, so now 3 days Big White & 3 days Red Mountain.

Thanks.
121 days to go ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Troy Mackenzie on October 9, 2008 at 5:20pm

Cool. Try to hook up with a local as the best runs are hard to find. A lot of off-piste goodness there. Fresh stuff on the hills now..

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