Any people who ski or snowboard out there

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Wernazuma III
I'm right now leaving for a ski afternoon with my family. My 5-years-old is already a really good skier. Lamentably, skiing becomes more expensive every year, so it's a question of money already.

It is not a cheap hobby but 4-5 year olds typically ski for free or very cheaply here ( making it easier to get them addicted to the sport). As for me, I find that 70 bucks for a lift ticket is reasonable-- a decent seat at a major sporting event or even a midpriced meal out with my wife would cost about the same.

Typically we just do day excursions since we have good mountains within 60-90 minutes drive and can avoid accomodations costs. This Fernie trip was an exception ( and part of the allure was getting to leave our children behind-- )

[Wernazuma III]

Originally posted by Flubber
It is not a cheap hobby but 4-5 year olds typically ski for free or very cheaply here ( making it easier to get them addicted to the sport). As for me, I find that 70 bucks for a lift ticket is reasonable-- a decent seat at a major sporting event or even a midpriced meal out with my wife would cost about the same.

Which is why I avoid major sporting events and don't eat at fancy restaurants. 70€ for a single day-ticket? Wow, that's quite a bit more expensive than it's here. The really expensive part though is the children's equipment - which you have to change every 2 years or so.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Wernazuma III

Which is why I avoid major sporting events and don't eat at fancy restaurants. 70€ for a single day-ticket? Wow, that's quite a bit more expensive than it's here.

THats 70 Canadian which is above or below 70 US depending on the day-- but nowhere near 70 euros


The Brits I have met says that the day rate at Canadian resorts is pretty much the same as the European ones-- although they did say that you could get cheaper weekly passes in Europe--

[Jon Miller]

You can get really good deals to some decent (Hood) skiiing in oregon. I think you can get a lift pass for 20$ or something (night? anyways, has been a while).

JM

[SlowwHand]

Ski Texas!

[Flubber]

Originally posted by Jon Miller
You can get really good deals to some decent (Hood) skiiing in oregon. I think you can get a lift pass for 20$ or something (night? anyways, has been a while).

JM

There are cheaper places in Canada than the 70ish price but they tend to be lesser hills or resorts

[Jon Miller]

Hood is good, just not that good of resort. But if you live in the area...

JM

[Pekka]

Yeah, Mt Hood is pretty good, I can testify to that. But it's not really a resort at all. But then again, if you want to ride, you're there for the hills, not the rest

[Flubber]

Any of you been to Whitefish in Montana?? THats the next place I hope to try-- But I'll probably have a number of visits to the resorts closer to Calgary before I get there

[Flubber]

Oh and back to Fernie

There was one part of the mountain (the highest part of the west side) that had limited visibility due to clouds or fog or something-- despite the sunshine further down the hill-- It was a weird experience to be skiing through a white mist that masked the terrain you were about to ski. It slowed you down and lots of times all the other skiers around became obscured from view . .. so you were alone while travelling slowly through a white mist-- Really weird type experience and quite a different one from an hour later when we were cutting up and down a black diamond

[RedFred]

Yes Whitefish is worth the trip. A lot of wide open bowls. I've skied most of the good hills in Western Canada and some in the US, but I like the snow in the Kootenays the best. Along with Fernie, try Red or Whitewater, which just has two chairs and a T. Sometimes at Whitewater the snow is so light it shoots up from your skis so quickly that your visibility is reduced. You can look up the mountain and see where you have skied by the snow still hanging in the air.

But now I mostly ski Whistler/Blackcombe where people don't understand what powder is, let alone champagne powder. My old straight 210 cm. skis make the mogul runs difficult so I mostly stick to cruising the fresh snow or groomed runs.

Even $100 a day is worth it if you get some exercise and have a great time.

[East Street Trader]

Just got back from a week in Alpbach. Snow first two days then sun and clear blue skies for the rest of the week.

Terrific!

[Flubber]

Originally posted by RedFred
My old straight 210 cm. skis make the mogul runs difficult so I mostly stick to cruising the fresh snow or groomed runs.

I never experienced the straight skis as I am a relative beginner, having skiied for th first time ever about 4 years ago and only seriously taken it up this year. So my skis are the new style and much shorter. For example they recommended 170s for me. I don't even know that they make 210s in most brands now

Everyone I know though that has switched from the straight skis have commented how much easier it is to ski

My skis are the Head MOnster IM72s-- They are designed as all mountain so they are ok both in powder and on groomed but not exceptional on either but good enough for an intermediate like me.

[Flubber]

Originally posted by RedFred
Along with Fernie, try Red or Whitewater, which just has two chairs and a T.

I will have to look those places up as I am not familiar with them

edit-- just looked up whitewater-- at 600km+ travel, it will probably be a long time until I get there. It looks like a small hill( as I figured by the small number of chairs) but if the snow is great its probably worth a trip sometime.

Red Mountain looks pretty impressive --

Originally posted by RedFred
Sometimes at Whitewater the snow is so light it shoots up from your skis so quickly that your visibility is reduced. You can look up the mountain and see where you have skied by the snow still hanging in the air.

That MUST be a sweet sight

[Arrian]

Cool, Flub. I haven't made it out to BC yet. Colorado is as far west as we've been. For the most part, we've done our skiing out here in VT/NH/MA/CT. It doesn't really match up, but it will put hair on your ass

Relatives just bought a place out in Utah (Moab), and some others got a place in Lake Tahoe, CA, so I'm thinking those options may come up before BC... but we've talked about it.

-Arrian

p.s. I too am still using old-style straight skiis. I got 'em really cheap a few years back when the para's had taken over, and the store wanted to get rid of them. My wife has nifty newfangled skis, though.