Snowboarding In Banff? (Canada)

JustRoss23

Hey guys first time poster so go easy on me:D. i am moving out to Calgary in march all going well. so i want to get a bit of snowboarding done before the big thaw sets in so just wondering if anyone had any experience of snowboarding in lake Louise or Banff area? looking for somewhere that would be the best for a beginner and what kind of money would a day on the slopes cost me?:D and also can i go straight in to snowboarding or would i be best to try a bit of skiin first?:D
Thanks very much for your taking your time to read this and any replies would be most grateful
Ross:)

FortuneChip

Hey man,

Firstly, if you think you want to board, go boarding. Skiing first won't be of any benefit to you. That said, if you've never done either, why not try both and see which you prefer?

I spent a season in Lake Louise a few years back. Amazing area.
You've got Norquay about ten minutes outside Banff, but it wouldn't be ideal for beginners at all, so I'd probably leave it alone.
Sunshine Village is about twenty minutes by bus from Banff and Lake Louise is about 40 minutes north of Banff.

Of the two, I'd reckon Sunshine is better for beginners. They've got more beginner terrain readily available right near the centre area. The only downside I'd have with Sunshine Village is the amount of flat areas. On skis, this wouldn't be too much of an issue as you have poles, but being a beginner on a snowboard, flat patches can be a chore. You may find yourself having to unstrap one foot and scoot every now and then, when you get near the end of runs.

You won't come across many flat areas like that in Lake Louise. There's one main beginner hill right at the base with two lifts (one carpet that you just stand on, and the other is a T-Bar drag lift [which you won't find too easy on a snowboard initially]). Depending on how you progress with lessons (and I would advise you get lessons) you can get the Chairlift from the base that has a long Green run "Wiwaxy", which is a great beginner run, it's not too steep, fairly wide, but also exciting as it bends and curves all the way to the base surrounded by trees. Basically, you'll feel cool doing it! Lake Louise also has some of the best views I've ever seen at a ski resort, or anywhere. It really is an amazing place

With regards to price, it depends on what you want. I know Lake Louise offer a number of packages. Rental & Lift Pass, Lessons/Rental & Lift Pass etc. Plus, as a beginner, you wouldn't require a full lift pass, you could just get a Bunny Slope pass (about $30 rather than $80 for a full mountain).

I'm not as familiar with Sunshines deals, I was working at LL, so spent most of my days there, but I'm sure they offer Beginners Packages as well.

Another option is rent your equipment from a store in Banff, then get a multi-area pass. This grants you access to Lake Louise, Banff & Norquay with bus too. However, again I think it would be better to limit the amount you spend on passes by going to Bunny Slope instead, at least until you know you'll get value from it.

Ramble... Ramble... Ramble!

Hope some of this helps. Let me know if you'd want any other questions.

flikflak

^ +1 for Sunshine and Lake Louise. Norquay was ok for a day but there isnt much there.

Lake Louise is so pretty and the drive up from Banff was lovely - we stayed off the main highway and took the smaller roads. Saw a large wolf like creature cross the road in front of the car which was amazing and also lots of moose.


Maybe pick the resort closest to you to learn the basics then once you have them in the bag you can explore some other areas?