L. Louise/Marmot/Sunshine March 25-April 11 ???

G

Gpaul

New member
:D Hola FRIENDS!! All the best for 2009!

Finally think we can go skiing after nearly 3 years, looking to Banff and others in area.

In order, starting on March 25:
Louise 6 days (staying in Banff)
Kicking Horse 1 day (drive from here to Marmot at 3pm)
Marmot 2 days
Edmonton ( will sacrifice 2 non-ski days to visit dear sister)
Sunshine last 6 days

After reading most of the comments, it seems like a good plan for Steep Groomers???

Thanks for advice.
 
Sorry GPaul, but...

I don't understand the logic of you order?

Louise - staying in Banff
Then off to Kicking and up to Marmot.
Edmonton and then back to Sunshine?


Why not start (or end) in Edmonton?


1) Land in Edmonton (or Calgary and drive direct to Edmonton)
2) Marmot (count 4-5 hours from Edmonton)
3) sacrifice time, maybe whole day in daylight for the drive from Jasper to Louise - beautiful drive / head to Golden) - sleep in one night Golden.
4) Kick - maybe sleep again in Golden and ski next day at Louise.
5) Louise / Sunshine 12 days (detour for 1 day Norquay if still open for some steep (groomers if runs are groomed). This would give great flexibilty and might even cost less.
6) Flight out from Calgary (or drive back to Edmonton).

So for flying you can either...

a) Land in one cities and flight out of the other
b) Loop from Edmonton or Calgary (drive between both is a couple of hours)

Car rental...I've done this type of trip (minus Kick) with SkiCan back in 2002. 6 days Jasper/Banff. Plus you don't necessarily need a car for the last two weeks of your trip (shuttles).
 
Patrick has the logisitics right, but I would keep the rental car for flexibility. With that many days I'm not sure I'd put 80% at Sunshine/Lake Louise, maybe half or 2/3.

I do applaud the choice of region for this time of year. It's prime time with max coverage, more comfortable temps, and should still be packed powder on north exposures. Don't have tunnel vision on terrain. These places do have the type of skiing you like but also have some off-trail stuff that is not too intimidating for some variety. Panorama is also within easy range to add on and has very long groomed and ungroomed intermediate runs you would like.

Many of us would tell you to add Fernie/Castle to a trip of that length but their proportion of groomed terrain is much less.
 
Tony Crocker":85h6ax3d said:
Patrick has the logisitics right, but I would keep the rental car for flexibility. With that many days I'm not sure I'd put 80% at Sunshine/Lake Louise, maybe half or 2/3.
(...)
I do applaud the choice of region for this time of year. It's prime time with max coverage, more comfortable temps, and should still be packed powder on north exposures.
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This is a first, Tony and I agreeing on logistics for one of GPaul's Potential Spring Trip. 8) Although I prefer the skiing at Sunshine/Louise over Marmot - I wouldn't do 80% vs 20%. You could add 1-2 days at Mamot AND Kicking, 1 day at Norquay and remove 3-4 days out of the 12 days at Sunshine/Louise.

Of course, I had a car rental and kept it for the whole trip. I was just throwing it their as an option.

What we did - last week of March 02:
1) Landing in Edmonton - sleep in Jasper
2-3-4) Ski Marmot - sleep in Jasper
5) Drive to Louise / halfday Louise - Sleep in Banff
6) Sunshine - Sleep in Banff
7) Norquay - Sleep in Banff
8 ) Drive to Fortress and ski / drive to Calgary and fly out on the redeye flight back East.

All accomodations, car rental, flights and sking (except Fortress) when in the Skican package.

Tony Crocker":85h6ax3d said:
Panorama is also within easy range to add on and has very long groomed and ungroomed intermediate runs you would like.

Many of us would tell you to add Fernie/Castle to a trip of that length but their proportion of groomed terrain is much less.
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I didn't suggest more ski areas simply because most people I know like to settle down to one or two places for a few days and limit their driving. I still remember some people finding the Bridget to Alta in 8 ski areas/13 days skiing was crazy. GPaul would sleep in Edmonton, Jasper, Banff (I would add Golden), that would be enough for most.

With all those days - TAKE A DAY OFF TO TRAVEL BETWEEN JASPER AND GOLDEN. One of the most scenic drive I've done in the World.
 
Said it before, will say it again and again: YOU are a wealth of information, AND nice!!!!!!! =D>

Okidoki, new ground rules for this trip: FAMILY (and skiing of course). So, I'm thinking of doing mostly ski in/out, and have the new itinerary:
1. Skip Marmot and Norquay (former too lame and "out of the way", latter maybe too small and not worth 1 day). Kicking Horse out as well, not our "groomer" preference.
2. Of course I thought about Fernie, but too "out of the way" and not a groomer paradise.
3. Seriously considering 3-4 days at Panorama. But the map suggests a weird lift and trail layout, what you say? Don't forget, the in/out factor is big in this place.
4. So, upon arrival in Calgary will drive to Edmonton and do the sister thing for 2-3 days, then back down to PANORAMA for 4 days (renting equipment there), finally LL and Sunshine for +/- 10 days (renting equipment in Banff), staying in Sunshine and Banff.
5. Next time we'll do that scenic drive between Jasper and Golden.

Huh?

EDIT: Must land in Calgary 'cause flying on mileage awards. O:)
 
Gpaul":2q3st0k0 said:
1. Skip Marmot and Norquay (former too lame and "out of the way", latter maybe too small and not worth 1 day). Kicking Horse out as well, not our "groomer" preference.
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NNNNOOOOO!!!!! ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) You haven't been paying attention? [-X

Gpaul":2q3st0k0 said:
4. So, upon arrival in Calgary will drive to Edmonton and do the sister thing for 2-3 days, then back down to PANORAMA for 4 days (renting equipment there), finally LL and Sunshine for +/- 10 days (renting equipment in Banff), staying in Sunshine and Banff.
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You're going to Edmonton #-o ...

1) Marmot is more or less along the way.
2) Marmot isn't lame.
3) Of all the ski areas mentioned outside Banff National Park (Castle, Fernie, Pano, Kick), Marmot is the one that makes the most sense for this trip.

How many days in Banff, Norquay IS worth at least one day. You'll be next door literary (10 minutes from Banff) and you like groomers...if they go some grooming next to the North American chair, that will be among the steepest groomers anywhere on those hills, period.
 
This is a 15 day trip. GPaul has time to try different places without getting exhausted.

I agree with Patrick 100% about Marmot. It's on the way from Edmonton and an interesting mid-size area.

I also agree about the day to drive Columbia Icefields. However in March/April you can ski a full day at Marmot and it will be daylight for the whole drive after that.

I do think GPaul will like Panorama. I think Kicking Horse is worth one day for him. Easy to work in one night Golden between the Columbia Icefield drive and Panorama.

I'm less impressed with Norquay, but with 15 days it's probably worth one of them if you're in Banff anyway. It gets very little natural snow so it could be deteriorating by your time if it's a low snow year.

Consider staying in Lake Louise a few days to cut down the daily commuting time.
 
Tony Crocker":2gjytyte said:
This is a 15 day trip. GPaul has time to try different places without getting exhausted.
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I know, I know, but not everyone needs to move around so much. :P

Tony Crocker":2gjytyte said:
I agree with Patrick 100% about Marmot. It's on the way from Edmonton and an interesting mid-size area.

I also agree about the day to drive Columbia Icefields. However in March/April you can ski a full day at Marmot and it will be daylight for the whole drive after that.
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The fact that you're going to Edmonton...the trip dictates that you go to Marmot.

List of areas (in order) that you need to see (according to all the stuff we know that GPaul likes):

1) Louise / Sunshine / Marmot
2) Norquay - you're next door, you're spending two weeks. This place deserves one day despite it's stats.

If this is not enough (from what you stated earlier and the amount of focus you went spending in Banff), I would relunctant to leave for BC. If you need to...

Kicking Horse is the easier on a geographical point of view ONLY if you go between Marmot and Louise. It wouldn't make sense to reach Banff then drive all the way out to Kicking.

Panorama (based on Tony recommendation and what I know about the place)...would be your next place. However only if you consider staying at an extra place after Edmonton, Jasper and Banff.

Revy (is an extra 2 hour from Golden and one-time zone away), Fernie and Castle shouldn't even be considered in my opinion. This is a family trip and road safari like those don't necessarily a good fit for everyone.

IMHO and based on what I know, I think you'll be VERY happy with the Marmot, Louise, Sunshine & Norquay advise. :bow: However I'm not sure if all this Beta will be listened too, I've been burned once. Enough said. :roll:

Agree with the rest of Tony stuff also.
 
Gpaul, if long groomers are your preference then Panorama should be on your list as a mountain to visit.The Mile 1 quad, Champagne and Sunbird lifts are all surrounded by long groomers. There are numerous runs from the top of the Champagne quad down to the village, enough vertical to burn any thighs. The lift set up works quit well and shouldn't be the reason not to visit. The only problem with the lift set up is the long run out after skiing Taynton Bowl which wouldn't be an issue for you as there are no groomed runs in the bowl. Snow coditions aren't always the greatest, check before you go.
 
Went to Sunshine and L. Louise a few years back after landing on Calgary. I know if/when I go back I am going to spend a day or so at the hotel at mid-mountain on Sunshine. That looked really cool. But the most important thing that I learned from my trip was that the local people of Calgary and the surrounding area are about the nicest people you will find anywhere. I'm from Jersey and what a wonderful breath of fresh air they were.
 
You may want to hold off booking land arrangements until close to your arrival to adjust to conditions. All of these areas are slightly below average and not skiing all that well right now. They rate to get better by your trip, but Norquay and Panorama may never be that good if it's an overall low snow year. Banff and Jasper are primarily summer vacation spots, so it's rarely a problem to score last minute lodging during ski season, except maybe Canadian spring break weeks that are earlier than your trip.

I will be trying Revelstoke Feb. 4-6 and can provide input after that. The rep is that it's "rough around the edges" in just second year of operation and thus probably not to your liking. BUT it has very long continuous fall lines, and if their grooming is good you might really enjoy it. FYI Kicking Horse finally got its act together on grooming the lower mountain and GPaul would have really liked it the last 2 years. But it doesn't get a lot of natural snow so it sucked in 2005 and current reports are not so good.

I'd do it this way:
4 nights Banff
4 nights Lake Louise, 1hr drive to Golden after last ski day
1 night Golden, after skiing Kicking Horse drive EITHER 2 hours to Panorama OR 1.5 hours to Revelstoke (last minute call based on how the season shapes up)
3 nights 2 ski days Panorama or Revelstoke
1 full day (5.5 to 6.5 hours drive time) scenic drive to Jasper
2 days skiing Marmot, then drive to your friends in Edmonton for the rest of the time.

I don't think this is too hectic a family schedule. Only the days in and out of Golden would be that busy IMHO, and those drives are short ones.
 
However I'm not sure if all this Beta will be listened too, I've been burned once. Enough said.
Patrick, your advice is INVALUABLE, pls keep it coming when requested.
=D>
Gpaul, if long groomers are your preference then Panorama should be on your list as a mountain to visit.
Gracias wolfe, definitely will keep that in mind!

I know if/when I go back I am going to spend a day or so at the hotel at mid-mountain on Sunshine.

TKS ticks, I plan to spend 4-6 nights there, making it the lest leg, thus enjoying the in/out luxury!

Yak, tks but Revy is too far and probably not to my entire liking.

Tony, I'll definitely do land arrangements later, especially since at that time they will be much less crowded than usual. "shoulder" deals are great!

Not etched in stone, but scratching Jasper and Icefields, looking more towards this itinerary:

Land calgary 10PM, drive straight to Edmonton, spend 2 full days there (3/25,26), driving back to Banff to arrive by 7PM for Equipment Rental. Any advice on good deals there?

Ski Norquay 3/27, then drive to Panorama for 4 days ski in/out (conditions permitting). Lodging suggestions (breakfast is VERY important, we pig out at that time... :wink:

3/31 after skiing Panorama drive to and ski/sleep in LL. Looking for closest reasonable place (package deal) 2 adults, 1 10 y/o. Preferably with FULL brekkie included. Ski 5 days LL.

Then on to Sunshine, sleep in their Hotel, ski 4/6-10, and will still have 2 days to ski elsewhere or there, we'll see then.

Oh, any dates on "except maybe Canadian spring break weeks"

Gracias all!
 
All ski areas on average see a decline in surface conditions as spring progresses. So you you should visit the friends in Edmonton at the end of the trip, not the beginning. Skiing on March 25-26 rates to be noticeably better than April 10-11.

Canadian School Breaks: http://www.justvacations.ca/march-break ... ckages.php You do hit the local Alberta breaks, but not the rest of Canada.

However I'm not sure if all this Beta will be listened too, I've been burned once. Enough said.
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I'll save Patrick the trouble this time. Both of us have strongly advised you to drive the Columbia Icefields Parkway and spend a day or two at Marmot/Jasper. ](*,) It's not out of the way if you're going to Edmonton ](*,)
 
Tony Crocker":3kdla5be said:
All ski areas on average see a decline in surface conditions as spring progresses. So you you should visit the friends in Edmonton at the end of the trip, not the beginning. Skiing on March 25-26 rates to be noticeably better than April 10-11.

Canadian School Breaks: http://www.justvacations.ca/march-break ... ckages.php You do hit the local Alberta breaks, but not the rest of Canada.

However I'm not sure if all this Beta will be listened too, I've been burned once. Enough said.
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I'll save Patrick the trouble this time. Both of us have strongly advised you to drive the Columbia Icefields Parkway and spend a day or two at Marmot/Jasper. ](*,) It's not out of the way if you're going to Edmonton ](*,)
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Thank you Tony. :wink:

Marmot is a no-brainer. :evil:

Snow...you'll be in Panorama in late March-early April. It's a no-brainer again - WARNING!!! :roll: Plus it's out of your way.

Thank you again Tony...just checked that site.

Calgary Catholic School District April 09 April 20
Calgary Board of Education March 20 March 30
Edmonton Public Schools March 27 April 6
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Spring Break...busiest time and place would probably be week 1 in Banff. You would get some of the Edmonton kids + maybe (?) half or more of the Calgary kids. Marmot and Jasper are so far off-radar that you wouldn't notice that much of a difference. Not sure how many kids are in the Catholic board, my guess is not that many (maybe 1/3?)?

About the Springbreak, I had to check the days of my trips.

2002 - March 19-25 - I was in Marmot March 19-21, Louise on Friday 22nd, Norquay on Saturday 23rd, Sunshine on Sunday the 24th...then finshing off at Fortress (now closed) on the 25th. Marmot was DEAD, great winter conditions. The only real liftlines were at Louise on that Friday.

Other Banff ski trips:
1999 - M-F / April 12-16
2000 - April 16-22 (the last time I had a serious back injury and waited before booking my ski vacation).

Not sure when Marmot shutdown for the season, probably sometimes in early-mid April. Same is true (I believe) for Pano.

IF crowds is the important concern, start of at Marmot.

IF snow/winter is more important, start in Banff, Marmot then visit family in Edmonton.

Either way, IF you only choose between the Banff/Marmot areas, I wouldn't be to concerned about the conditions at that time. I wouldn't necessarily say the same of the other areas mentioned in this discussion.
 
Patrick":1i5awlyf said:
Either way, IF you only choose between the Banff/Marmot areas, I wouldn't be to concerned about the conditions at that time. I wouldn't necessarily say the same of the other areas mentioned in this discussion.
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I agree -- I wouldn't even think about advance-planning a trip to Panorama in that timeframe.
 
Thank you again Tony...just checked that site.

Calgary Catholic School District April 09 April 20
Calgary Board of Education March 20 March 30
Edmonton Public Schools March 27 April 6
Click to expand...

Spring Break...busiest time and place would probably be week 1 in Banff. You would get some of the Edmonton kids + maybe (?) half or more of the Calgary kids. Marmot and Jasper are so far off-radar that you wouldn't notice that much of a difference. Not sure how many kids are in the Catholic board, my guess is not that many (maybe 1/3?)?

IF crowds is the important concern, start of at Marmot.

IF snow/winter is more important, start in Banff, Marmot then visit family in Edmonton.

Either way, IF you only choose between the Banff/Marmot areas, I wouldn't be to concerned about the conditions at that time. I wouldn't necessarily say the same of the other areas mentioned in this discussion.
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EDIT:

You do hit the local Alberta breaks, but not the rest of Canada.
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Saskatchewan school break is pretty much the same as Calgary and Manitoba same as Edmonton. You could be surprise how many kids from Saskatchewan and to a lessen importance, Manitoba makes to it to Banff to ski. But still, those numbers are nowhere near Quebec/Ontario Spring Breaks.
 
Patrick and I are again in agreement. I was first in Banff/Lake Louise April 1-4, 1999. No real crowd issues, great conditions though it was a very good year for western Canada.

As admin notes, the place to be most wary of conditions is Panorama. It's somewhat snowmaking dependent, so you want to hold off on booking as late as possible. I proposed Revelstoke as the backup for Panorama because it's the same drive time from Golden, and since it's on the snowier side of B.C. it rates to be better in a low snow year.

Just to toss in an aside: Big White and Sun Peaks have tons of intermediate cruisers and would be much to GPaul's liking. At both virtually all the lodging is ski-in ski-out. Before people start throwing bricks about the distances, get out a map and keep in mind how long this trip is. Jasper to Sun Peaks is probably 3 hours on the very good Yellowhead Highway. Then Trans-Canada 2.5 hours to Revelstoke, 1.5 hours to Golden.

FYI the past week has been good and these places are now closer to average in season snow.
 
Big White???

Tony Crocker":y0zzpe6o said:
Before people start throwing bricks about the distances.
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Admin, could we please get an icon for this???

Tony Crocker":y0zzpe6o said:
Then Trans-Canada ... to Revelstoke.

FYI the past week has been good and these places are now closer to average in season snow.
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Good week indeed, all road to Revy are closed. :shock: :shock: :shock: No way to drive there? :lol:

He should stay in Banff (including 1 day in Norquay)-Jasper then ...if he ONLY want to see a FIFTH area then maybe Pano or Revy, Not sure how many long steep groomer at Revy?
 
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