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martien
Oct 21, 2004, 8:06 PM
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Hi !
I'm thinking about going skiiing in the Canadien Rockies in December. I've heart a lot about Jasper and Whistler -- but they seem to be pretty expensive. So I'm also thinking about Big White, Silver Star, Fernie or Kimberley... But I just don't know what to do....
Does anybody of you know one or more of these ressorts and can give some advise? I would also appreciate other insider-tips! Is there a good web site with some discussion forums -- like rockclimbing.com but for ski? ;-)
Thank you very much!
Martien
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climbingbum
Oct 21, 2004, 8:23 PM
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Here's the low down on the area, in order;
-Whistler if you can afford it.
-Kicking horse in golden has some of the steepest, funnest terrain around.
-If you tour, revelstoke has the best skiing in canada. (rogers pass is smack dab in the middle between Revi and golden. 45 min from either)
-Fernie rocks
-Jasper skiing is like skiing in the east. The ice however is the best around.
-not sure about the hills around the okanagon
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slavetogravity
Oct 21, 2004, 8:51 PM
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In reply to: -If you tour, revelstoke has the best skiing in canada. (rogers pass is smack dab in the middle between Revi and golden. 45 min from either) |
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macherry
Oct 21, 2004, 9:00 PM
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avoid kimberley or silver star...........conditions aren't the greatest and the terrain is more family oriented.
I live in rossland....red mountain. Great place to ski and relatively cheap to live. pm me for more details.
Fernie is good and so is panorama.
Big White is nicknamed Big Whiteout.....for a reason.......variable conditions
try the website: www.biglines.com..........it has info on the resorts in question and a forum room for discussion!
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climbhoser
Oct 21, 2004, 9:28 PM
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So, you're looking for tips on doing it cheap, eh? Well, I'll give away my little secret, but if it stops working then it's ALL YOUR FAULT FOR NOT DOINT THIS PROPERLY!!!
What you do is go out drinking, get up a little late and then around ten or elevn in the morning start hanging out at the base (I did it in Whistler). You watch for people coming off of the hill. A lot of times people will buy a five day pass to save money and then be burnt to a crisp on the last day, so they'll come off after a couple of runs. Approach these people looking pitiful, yet earnest, and ask them if they would sell you their ticket for ten dollars (Canadian, of course, never American!). This worked for me every single day that I tried it, and I got to ski in the best resort in North America, hands down, for an entire week. To boot, there's endless pow, so don't worry about not getting early morning freshies, and because I was only skiing half days I lasted all seven days!
It's a good trick, especially if you like beer:) My other advice is go to Revelstoke OR Fernie and tour. Fernie's backcountry isn't anything to snub your nose at, either.
peas
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martien
Oct 21, 2004, 10:08 PM
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Registered: Sep 9, 2004
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Fernie or Kimberley sounds great!
Is it just one town? Where is it better to stay?
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vanclimber
Oct 21, 2004, 10:57 PM
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Definately check out Big White and Sun Peaks. If you can catch Big White on a clear day, it is an amazing mountain to ride. Sun Peaks is also great fun with lots of variety.
Don
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kman
Oct 21, 2004, 11:53 PM
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Sun Peaks is good. But don't go in December. If you like serious terrain then you will find Sun Peaks pretty mellow. Whistler will have plenty of snow in December and there is a Sh!t load of skiing to be had there. Tons and tons and tons of variety. Big White is good.
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climbingnomad
Oct 22, 2004, 2:54 AM
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I have skiied Big White and Whistler....
Yes the top of Big White is bad...I mean total white out, but the majority of the runs were awesome and the night life kicked butt when I was there.
Whistler, go to say you have been and then get out before you feel the need to shop...I mean who puts 5th Avenue shops at the bottom of a ski hill...I don't get it.
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kid
Oct 22, 2004, 3:59 AM
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If you are skiing in december in BC don't waist time skiing the rocks at the lower elevation ski areas. The low elevation back country can be sketchy with obsticals at that time of the year. If back country is your thing head the the asulkan hut outside of Golden. If you happen to be there durring a good year you and get dumped on with 30cm or more you have options at Kicking Horse and the pass. If the snow is slim the asulkan glacier will be good at the seven steps to paradise. Know before you go and carry all your avalanche gear. Conditions can be dangerous with a cold period of dry artic cold and large dumps. Hook up with some locals and sleep in your car. Have fun. ~ Greg F
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frootloops
Oct 22, 2004, 4:05 AM
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Registered: Jun 18, 2004
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yo check out Sun Peaks Resort Kamloops BC you'll love it sunpeaksresort.com
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nostyleclmbr
Oct 22, 2004, 4:26 AM
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Registered: Dec 11, 2002
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don't go to whistler, sunpeaks, big white, or any of the other hyped placed. I'm from the area and have skied everywhere people are talking about extensively and Red Mountain is the best hands down. I can not tell you how great the mountain is you need to check it out. Although the town scene leaves a little to be desired the skiing and snow makes up for it. It is incredible. I wish I was there now and not stuck in Maine skiing the riva' and loaf'.
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scubasteve
Oct 22, 2004, 5:09 AM
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Registered: Jul 13, 2004
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i've done tons of riding at big white(awesome place on a clear day), i've always had fun at silver star as well, some really fun tree runs there.
i hear whistler/blackcomb is awesome, but never been. another place i think might be worth checking out is whitewater by nelson b.c.
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kman
Oct 22, 2004, 1:26 PM
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In reply to: yo check out Sun Peaks Resort Kamloops BC you'll love it sunpeaksresort.com
Like I said before. If you are looking for serious terrain then stay away from here. It's a mellow mountain. Fun though.
Some one said Big White for nightlife. If you want to party it up, go to Whistler. That place is the party capital. Even on a Wed. night in the off season you can find something good.
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ryanpete81
Oct 22, 2004, 2:06 PM
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Climbhoser-you wonder why ski tickets cost so much...its because people like you loiter around the base of the Mt, panhandling for people's tickets after they're done for the day. I skied at Mt. Hood this summer, and there were people like that at the bottom of the Mt everyday, I wanted to lecture them about why my summer pass cost so much (I didn't pay for it, my JOB paid for it). If you can't afford a ticket-hike, if you're to lazy to hike, get a JOB!
PS...whistler is sweet if you don't go during vacation periods, and its cheaper then too
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