Advice for a first time international snowboarder :)
Hi guys,
First time posting on the forum, about my first time travelling overseas to snowboard!
I am planning on heading over to Canada at the end of January, and wanted to get some advice on a few things.
My vague plan at the moment was to fly over and spend a few days at Banff, then head to another resort for another few days, then head down to Vancouver and spend some time exploring around there before flying home.
1) Best resorts to go to.
I am planning on heading to Banff for a few days, but I was considering checking out one or two others as well, any suggestions? If it helps, I do a mixture of freestyle and freeride.
2) Taking my gear.
Has anyone had any issues in terms of weight, taking your gear on the flight? Do you have to pay extra? I’ve got full gear that I would prefer to take with me, as my boots are specialized for my feet. I was thinking of buying a new board over there if I need to, as I’m looking for a new freestyle board anyway.
3) Season status.
Is the snow good at the end of January? What is the best time of year over there?
4) Good touristy things to do while over there.
Question speaks for itself, obviously I’d love to check the place out, so some good sight seeing locals and other advice on good touristy things would be great 
Thanks for any and all info guys.
Hey Paul, welcome a board!!!!!
Just out of curiosity, why have you chosen Banff/Vancouver, over say Banff/Calgary, or Whistler/Vancouver for eg?????
Seein as though you’re only there for a few days?????
Thanks Mizu!
The plan was to do a east-west trip. Flying into Calgary, then going to Banff, before moving to one or two resorts west (probably Whistler), then finishing up in and flying out from Vancouver.
I guess the main reason was that I liked the idea of spending a few days recovering in Vancouver, doing the tourist thing, before heading home.
I’ve been chatting to a few other guys and suggested that I reverse the trip, and start in Vancouver/Whistler, and finishing in Calgary/Banff.
So you’re gonna spend a decent amount of days then, All’s good!!!!!
I don’t think it’d matter which way you did it really????? 
Welcome to Boardworld, Paul. 
1. Best resorts. I guess this is subjective but I’ll give you my honest answer. You can’t beat Whistler. There’s a reason Whistler is considered one of the premier snow resorts in the world, and certainly North America. It’s an experience I would suggest you don’t miss. I also happen to live here with a bunch of other Boardworld members, so you’ve always got a free tour guide if you need one. 
Check out this thread.
2. Definitely take your own gear, especially your boots. Each airline is different and you might have to pay approximately $50+ for an extra bag (I think I recently paid $70 for my snowboard bag which was jam packed with gear including two snowboards). It’s worth the small cost in bringing what you own. In regards to buying a snowboard, my advice here is to purchase before you go. There’s a few reasons for that: 1) You’re on holiday and paying enough to be here—don’t waste a day shopping for something you can purchase before; 2) Snowboards are very comparable in price between Australia and Canada, so you wouldn’t be saving much, if at all; 3) You will get your tax back at the airport on everything you purchase in Australia, negating any potential saving in Canada; 4) Australia is a year ahead with a lot of the brands so our boards are on sale / while you’ll get the same boards at full price in Canada. Anyway, please feel free to contact me directly if you want to chat about snowboards. jeremy(at)boardworld.com.au
3. End of January is prime season. Jan/Feb… safest bets.
4. Vancouver: Stanley Park, Cypress Mountain lookout, Canucks NHL game, and there’s some amazing craft beer taphouses if you’re into beer (for example: http://vancouver.craftbeermarket.ca/)
Whistler: here’s a few things to consider…
http://www.ziptrek.com/whistler-canada
http://www.whistler.com/whistler-activity-combos/snowmobile-fondue/
http://www.canadianwilderness.com/fondue/
http://www.scandinave.com/en/whistler/
http://www.whistler.com/activities/dog-sledding/
http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/events-and-activities/activities/coca-cola-tube-park
http://www.whistlersportlegacies.com/venues/whistler-sliding-centre
Please feel reply to reply with any further questions. Hopefully we’ll see you in Whistler! Here’s a few photos I’ve taken in the past few days if it helps convince you.
Yeah, definitely go to a NHL Game, and if you’ve never ridden a snowmobile before, DO IT!!!!!
As Jeremy said, take your gear with you!!!!! Especially with the current exchange rates!!!!! Cheap gear in Canada is a myth!!!!!
* Don’t go to the Eagle Park with Jez!!!!! He scares them away!!!!!
Oh WOW! Those pictures are incredible.
The part I am most excited about, is being able to visit a place that is literally a winter wonderland. Aussie snow is just a few mountains in one small part of the entire country. I love natural vistas like the ones you photographed above. I absolutely can’t wait!
Has anyone done any dogsledding over there? seems like the kind of thing I’d love to do. I also want to check out that Wofldog sanctuary near Banff.
Thanks for the advice guys, it really helps to hear it straight from the mouths of people who are actually doing it. I’ll make sure to post on here when I am over there!
About Whistler, I’ve heard from a Canadian person I met to stay away from Whistler because it is too commercialized, but then I’ve also had a few people like yourselves say that Whistler is a MUST DO in Canada. I’d trust you guys more, just curious what that person meant by “too comercialized”
Not sure how you “commercialise” a natural feature such as a mountain?????
Whistler is amazing for its sheer size, and the varied terrain!!!!!
The village is packed full of shops, bars, eateries, etc, etc!!!!! Maybe that’s the “commercialised” component the person was speaking of????? But honestly what resort worth riding doesn’t have some sort of infrastructure these days?????
But it’s main village is still a great place to kill some time after you’ve finished burnin your leg tendons on the loooooongest runs that you’ll likely to ever experience!!!!! Even just strolling around, grab a burger and a beer, here and there, do a bit of people watching, or just take in the atmosphere of a true winter village!!!!!
It will truly blow your mind if this is your first time out of Australia!!!!! There’s a reason why Whistler wins awards for being one of the best resorts in the world!!!!!
Whistler is a popular destination, there’s no doubt about it. You definitely get a lot of visitors on the weekends and holidays etc. It’s not only world class snowboarding, but the village is pretty spectacular as well, and it’s only 2 hours from Vancouver. As Mizu mentioned, it’s built up and commercialised in this respect. But Whistler actually needs this sort of infrastructure to function.
Some people consider Whistler a tourist trap, which is true to some degree, but there’s a reason for it. It’s one of the best snow resorts in the world. There’s equally as many long-term residents here who call it home.
The 2010 Olympics was hosted here, the Peak 2 Peak gondola broke 3 world records, it’s the biggest snow resort in North America, the terrain is endless. There’s definitely hype about this place but the hype is real. You’ll have to come see it for yourself!
At the end of the day, it’s really what you make of it. Whistler is a special place for sure, and I’m confident you’ll have a blast here. Personally, I find this place the perfect mix of adventure, socialising, and relaxation. Stay true to the experience you’re seeking here and you should be able to find it.
Whistler Blackcomb is celebrating 50 years in operation this season. They just released this really interesting movie about this history and future of Whistler. Worth watching.
I think Whistler cops a heap of negativity just like Niseko in Japan does!!!!!
That negativity stems from people that have ridden those places!!!!!
I honestly feel that these people talk places like Whistler and Niseko down, to make themselves sound more like the “Seasoned Traveller”?????
You know, “I’ve been there years ago and it’s nothing like it was”!!!!! “Its so commercialised now”!!!!!
I suppose we all do it to some extent, so it’s a good thing to ignore a lot of the negative press unless it’s backed up with facts!!!!!
Oh WOW! Those pictures are incredible.
The part I am most excited about, is being able to visit a place that is literally a winter wonderland. Aussie snow is just a few mountains in one small part of the entire country. I love natural vistas like the ones you photographed above. I absolutely can’t wait!
Has anyone done any dogsledding over there? seems like the kind of thing I’d love to do. I also want to check out that Wofldog sanctuary near Banff.
Thanks for the advice guys, it really helps to hear it straight from the mouths of people who are actually doing it. I’ll make sure to post on here when I am over there!
About Whistler, I’ve heard from a Canadian person I met to stay away from Whistler because it is too commercialized, but then I’ve also had a few people like yourselves say that Whistler is a MUST DO in Canada. I’d trust you guys more, just curious what that person meant by “too comercialized”
Hey Paul,
I’m pretty sure the wolf dog sanctuary is in Canmore. We didn’t get round to doing it but we did the dogsledding out of Canmore and it was sick. Got to drive our own sleds and the dogs were all Huskies. The company we went through was awesome as well. They do pick up and drop off from Banff.
+1 for Whistler. Heading back for my 2nd trip in January, cannot wait. Looking at Fernie, it seems pretty interesting and definitely on my list. Revelstoke looks insane, I may need a couple more seasons before I’m comfortable with the steepness and the on/off mountain experience is said to still be in its infancy - take that as a pro or a con.
As far as the US resorts go, Telluride is no.1 on my list after speaking to a couple of Colorado natives who I work with. Apparently they have opened up new terrain and it has something for everybody. And there are 2 villages (1 on-mountain, 1 off-mountain) linked by a late night gondola so you can stay on the slopes (family-friendly) and still party out in the old historic wild-west village down below! Not a cheap trip by any stretch (damn you, Aussie dollar) but looks like a great experience!
Hey Paul,
Great choice to come to Canada. It’s an amazing country and definitely a great holiday!
Few things to watch out for:
- Nothing is cheap like they say. Buy your gear back home and bring it, buy duty free alcohol and budget more money than you expect. A day pass at Whistler is like $120 these days!
- Driving can be sketchy. If you end up in the powder highway (awesome!) there can be days where even the best cars with winter tyres will struggle!
- There are so many resorts to choose from. Make sure you find ones that appeal to you, not always what the hivemind says.
1) Best resorts to go to.
Honestly if you’re going to do this road trip, I’d go with either of these options:
1. Banff (Lake Louise / Sunshine), then to Fernie, then to Red, then to Whitewater, then either Apex / Manning Park (skipable if you don’t have time) and finish in Vancouver / Whistler.
Or
2. Banff (Lake Louise / Sunshine), then to Kicking Horse, then to Revelstoke, then to Sun Peaks, then to Whistler. (Sun Peaks is just because it’s on the way. It’s the least extreme of all the resorts listed here)
Or if you don’t mind going via the USA
3. Banff (Lake Louise / Sunshine), then to Fernie, then to Whitewater, then to Stephen’s Pass, then to Mt Baker, then to Whistler.
2) Taking my gear.
Shouldn’t have a problem shipping it. Buy it at home (talk to Rider26) and bring it all with you.
3) Season status.
Jan / Feb is peak season. Should be good conditions. Whether or not it snows is a flip of a coin. Currently at Fernie, we have more than the accumulative snowfall than last year. Everyday has been pretty damn epic so far!
4) Good touristy things to do while over there.
- See Lake Louise / Moraine Lake (I think people say Moraine lake is the place to go where as Lake Louise is the touristy one…)
- See a NHL game (Go to the Flames in Calgary cause nobody likes the Canucks 
). If this is not an option, there is the under 21’s comp in most towns. Here in Fernie it’s the Ghostriders and it’s $10 for a game…
- Come visit me for a beer. I’m in Fernie and always keen to catch up. If you come here, I can give you a Family / Friends pass or 2 which gets you a day pass for $30 (rather than $100)
- Visit Nelson (near Whitewater). Stoner / Hippie capital of Canada. Beautiful area.
- Visit some HOT springs. They are awesome.
- Visit the circus that is Whistler. It’s a world renown resort and there is always something to do there. As you said though, it’s massively commercialized but I’d say definitely worth a visit.
- Cat or Heli-Ski (if it’s in the budget). Freshies are worth the $400 for Cat Ski-ing. Island Creek here in Fernie has a day trip for about $400 I think.
- Go Zip-Lining. It looks sweet
- Go Dog Sledding. Not my cup of tea but some people like it.
- Ice skate on a frozen lake
- Eat Poutine. Promptly regret that decision haha.
- Visit the outlet malls in the USA if you get there.
Overall
You’ll have a great holiday no matter where you go. And your legs will be burning after each day of riding (one run here is like 5-10 runs in Aus).
If you want more info on Fernie, check out my blog (http://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/19049) for more. Here are a few photos though:
And this one is from Sun Peaks if you happen to want to go there:
