Having skied in Europe most years since our boys were small, we've grown accustomed to coordinating our schedules around school holidays. However, as they've grown into young adults, our dates no longer align!
Fortunately, this newfound freedom allowed Paul and I to seize an opportunity presented by the Banff Tourist Board and Air Canada for a week of skiing a bit further afield.
At the end of February, we jetted off to Calgary, our suitcases filled to the brim with extra hand warmers and thermals in anticipation of potentially colder temperatures than we're used to.
While I hadn't closely monitored the weather or ski conditions beforehand, I was hopeful for sunny skies and pristine snow conditions.
Our 9-hour flight took us over Greenland, which was a surreal experience as darkness enveloped us before emerging into daylight once again as we descended below the Arctic Circle.
Upon our arrival, we were greeted by delightful and brilliant blue skies that boded well for our Canadian skiing adventure.
Our coach transfer arrived earlier than expected, whisking us away to the Elk & Avenue Hotel in the heart of town, where the majestic Rocky Mountains serve as a breathtaking backdrop.
Check-in was a breeze, and we were pleasantly surprised by the spaciousness of our rooms. Eager to hit the slopes early the next day, we took a short stroll to the recommended ski rental shop, which conveniently also sold the SkiBig3 lift passes. Even better, they offered equipment delivery right to the hotel.
The Banff Tourist Board graciously hosted a drinks evening at a local bar, where we had the pleasure of mingling with their local and UK representatives, as well as some knowledgeable ski guides. We received valuable advice on where to kick off our skiing adventures the next day, along with the exciting news that a surplus of snow awaited us after weeks of shortage.
Fortunately, with jetlag assisting, we found ourselves effortlessly rising early each morning, fuelled by excitement for the day ahead. With buses conveniently stopping outside our hotel and a hearty breakfast awaiting us at the slopeside restaurants, we were often en route to the slopes by 8am.
While fresh powder days were a delight, the persistent snowfall throughout the week meant we didn't get as many opportunities to bask in the blue skies and enjoy clear views of the Rockies. However, the upside was that the abundance of fresh snow kept the crowds at bay, especially in our favourite area, Lake Louise, granting us the luxury of having many of its slopes to ourselves. 😊
As the week progressed, temperatures plummeted to a bone-chilling -22 degrees Celsius, prompting us to take more frequent breaks to warm up and thaw our tootsies.
Comparing Banff skiing to European experiences: A personal perspective
While temperatures in Banff were notably colder, the chill didn't seem as biting as experiences in Europe, even at -22 degrees Celsius.
Ski hire tends to be slightly pricier compared to rates in Europe, and lift passes also come with a slightly higher price tag.
Taking buses to the resorts was a new experience for us, but it proved to be a convenient and efficient mode of transportation. Banff's strategic location, nestled amidst three ski areas, coupled with the town's charming ambience and only one ski/ ski out hotel, make it an ideal base.
Skiing
Banff offers a diverse selection of resorts and runs, catering particularly well to intermediate and advanced skiers. For the more adventurous souls, there are ample off-piste and ungroomed slopes to explore, although I must admit, I stuck to the groomed runs! Interestingly, we noticed a higher number of snowboarders than skiers, and the runs were delightfully long, allowing for more skiing and less time spent queuing.
It was evident that many young Brits and Aussies were working in the resorts, likely on gap years. In fact, my eldest son has applied to join them for the next season.
Mountain Dining
While the skiing experience was fantastic, we found the food options on the mountain to be somewhat lacking compared to European resorts. Most eateries consisted of large mountain lodges offering fast food options and Starbucks, with only a single stop directly on the slopes. Additionally, the après-ski scene was limited by the slopes, with few options, and I didn’t see anywhere offering the traditional Vin Chaud!
Most embarrassing moment
One particularly memorable mishap occurred when I became completely distracted and forgot to disembark from the chairlift at the top. While my husband, Paul, managed to exit, I found myself continuing on the loop before the realisation struck. As panic began to set in, I was relieved when the young man operating the lift halted the ride, drawing the attention of everyone around. Following his instructions, I awkwardly dismounted into the deep snow below, feeling as though it might swallow me whole. With whatever dignity I could muster, I trudged out of the snowdrift, and retrieved my skis, all the while hoping I hadn't unwittingly become the star of someone's TikTok video!
Hotels and Dining Options
Banff boasts a plethora of accommodation choices to suit every budget. For breakfast, we often opted for nearby cafés or indulged in mountain-side dining. In town, the dining scene offered an abundance of options for evening meals. We ate at a quintessential Canadian sports bar, complete with TVs galore, and savoured the flavours of Indian and Vietnamese cuisine, all conveniently within a 10-minute stroll. Prices are similar to the UK, but alcohol is heavily taxed, so more expensive even when buying from the liquor stores.
Atmosphere
I did miss the quintessential mountain fare and the cosy ambience of European ski resorts. Being older now though and needing to recharge our weary bones for another day on the slopes, we found ourselves retiring early most nights, seldom venturing out past 9pm 😉. There are plenty of lively bars for those wanting to party and always a happy hour going on somewhere in Banff.
One memorable evening, courtesy of the Banff Tourist Board, we embarked on a magical gondola ride up the local mountain, where we were treated to a mesmerising light show.
In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Banff for a truly unique skiing experience, unlike anything you'll find in Europe. The snow conditions were impeccable, and even during peak times, the slopes remained remarkably uncrowded with minimal lift queues and expansive ski runs.
The warmth and hospitality of the locals further enhanced our trip, with fellow skiers and snowboarders striking up friendly conversations on lifts and at bus stops. A special thanks to the Banff Tourist Board and Air Canada for their generous hospitality throughout our stay.
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