Skiing
 

I would love to know how many expats taking up skiing when moved to canada. I have never skied and dont know if I would even enjoy it but is it something that everyone tries or do a lot not bother.

Re: Skiing
 

Don't try it, you'll hurt yourself and become hideously disfigured as a result.

R.

Re: Skiing
 

I already love skiing and I haven't moved yet, so I suppose that doesn't count. I even worked a ski season as a rep 5 years ago in Canada in BC so it won't exactly be 'conversion upon emigration' for me!

Once you've got the skiing bug though, that's it! (And sadly it's not a cheap hobby to have...:()

Go for it (just make sure you're insured!) ;)

Re: Skiing
 

Yep, none of us had touched a pair of skiis before moving here and are now addicts (well the rest of my family is, I am slightly less so although still get out there on the green/blue runs). A great way to spend the weekends. The rest of my family have even come out (from UK and Singapore) every Spring Break when we've rented a house and skiied every day.
Having a group lesson to start us off and then private lessons to keep us going was the way we did it.

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We along with the Rhodeys are going to give cross country skiing a go this winter, really looking forward to it:thumbsup:

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Yep - we've taken it up since getting here - did have a practise go on one of our winter recce's though.

Picked up the ski-passes last week and will head out in a few weekends' time. My husband and both daughters are pretty proficient now. I'm, um, well, let's just say it ain't graceful - but I am looking forward to getting out there again. Just gotta love those burning calf muscles :sneaky:

It's still not a cheap hobby mind you - I don't think - though you can minimise costs by shopping for gear out of season and getting the kids second hand stuff. Ski-passes are still a decent chunk of money, but again, if you have the money, buy the pass at the end of one season when they have the sales on. And don't forget to factor in half a tank of petrol each time aswell ;)

But hey - what else are you going to do on a cold, snowy Sunday in January? :)

Re: Skiing
 

I buy an early bird pass each year and ski 25+ times, so it's roughly $25 or less per day out, plus $10 for gas. I can't think of many cheaper things to do for a full day.

Good ski gear's not cheap, but choose carefully, take advantage of sales, then factor it over the years it'll last you, and it's not really so bad.

Re: Skiing
 

We have done this too- but annm is right, when you have a family that number multiplies up and all of a sudden it is quite pricey.

But we used to spend the same amount on skiing one week in Europe as we do here- skied 23 days last season including quite a lot of nights away/roadtrips.

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Just curious....but where do most people from Calgary tend to get their ski passes for? And what do you all consider to be the closest/best resort?

Thanks

Re: Skiing
 

Sunshine\louise. Open on which is the best of those two is pretty much divided. I prefer Sunshine. The closest is Nakiska, adequate enough IF you dont want extreme skiing AND you dont mind repeating the same runs over and over.

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Costco sell some passes,

We already go skiing in europe just need to improve a lot ;)
thats one of the reasons we want to move to CA :thumbsup:

Re: Skiing
 

In the 8 years I lived in Canada I never tried skiing but then I'm not exactly the sporty type. I also didn't have any friends who went skiing (all of them Canadian BTW).

Re: Skiing
 

We chose Nakiska this year. For us (rank beginners) it offers all that we need although I suspect we will upgrade to the Sunshine/Louise resorts sometime in the near future.

In addition, we have two little ones. At Nakiska, we are more than happy to let them have the run of the hill themselves (our youngest will turn 6 in February), as they can't really go very far and locating them is not that difficult. It means that we can ski "on our own" with, relative, peace of mind.

Louise is too far for us with young kids, the sort that want instant gratification and I've heard that it requires an early morning start to get relatively good parking at Sunshine, again not great with young kids. The parking lot at Nakiska still has spaces if one turns up at 10:30.

This will be our first full season and I am sure that we may progress sufficiently to give one of the other resorts a go before the season is out.

Re: Skiing
 

We're skiing in Ontario today. Good snowfall in Collingwood, 90 miles from Toronto.

Re: Skiing
 

I don't think I'll ever ski, knackered knees.:(
I'd love my kids to learn but what can none skiers do while skiers ski?:confused:
There's only so much coffee you can drink and I'll probably be driving.:blink:

SM

Re: Skiing
 

We have used Nakiska if we just want to ski a half day. I've never seen the parking lot full, but I guess it might get a bit busy on a Sunday afternoon etc ....

We like that we can get up later and pay a reduced price for a short day's skiing ... especially good for learners and people with low exercise tolerance and/or short attention spans! (like me :p)

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We've bought a pass for Nakiska this year awell. We did Sunshine about 5 times as a family last year and hubby managed a few more extra days mid-week and I do love those slopes. It does require an early arrival if you don't want to walk half a mile to 'base camp'. Then you need to add on another 17-20 mins for the gondola ride.

We have a dog now, and figured it would be easier to do more short Nakiska visits rather than being out of the house for nearly 10 hours for Sunshine. I personally think Louise is too far to go for a day trip - I can't be bothered with four hours in a car, for four hours on the slopes ( I can't hack it any longer). And the runs are too long for an amateur fall-on-your-bum skier like me. Maybe in a a year or two, I would invest in a couple of over-nighters.

Nakiska is 50 mins door to door. Easy enough for short days or afternoon visits. Plenty for us at this stage in our 'career'!

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We have recently forked out nearly $1200 for our family pass. That is a very simple ticket for a fairly small resort. Getting kitted out last year was probably nearly another $2000 - but obviously we've still got all that stuff now so it was a one-off expense (though children have this nasty habit of growing out of stuff). Tickets last year were probably over another $1000 for us on various days.

When you break it all down, it's probably not that expensive per day out - but if you don't have that spare $1200 lying around then it's a considerable sum. Many, many people here do not ski.

We figure, all in, we will spend $2000 for our family on various ski-related expenses during this season, over 4-5 months. I don't think we'd have got 6 days in Austria for that?

Re: Skiing
 

ER no.

Think we will spend a bit more than you. Got the RCR full pass (admittedly an early bird one- so $2000). Then C will do 6 week course again at nakiska, then 5 nights a kimberly over new year, then family day long weekend at Fernie, then back to Kimberly or Fernie for easter. Luckily company gave us a $400 voucher for Lake loiuse hotel so thats lucky. P got new gear this year but it was half price in Ski cellars sale which I would highly recommend. I have my eye on a very nice pair of mid-fats (but the windscreen seems to have absorbed the money for this and more). OH is doing a ski tuning course at the uni for an evening ($85) so it all adds up!!!!

But it is the main reason we are here!!

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Its the lunch lodge that is a nightmare on Sundays. All the ski clubs lunch at once!

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Reckon we should have a BE nakiska bash!!! So many of us have passes!

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Will have to see you there and share a beer or two:thumbsup:

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Hey - technically I have skied before, but not to any great length.

I'm in Vancouver (downtown), and bought my night pass to Grouse at a ski show for about $130, bought a 5 day Edge card for Whistler / Blackcomb, and with that, if I go over my 5 days, the discount I have will still be in affect for any further days - that was £360. I got a new ski suit too, and that was about $700 but I bought it on a spur of the moment, and didn't shop around. I still have to fork out for boots / skies / helmet and goggles, however I can night ski without goggles.

Heading to Whistler first w/end of Dec, and accomadation is $50 / night.

I used to have a horse, and my hobby was riding and competing, and frankly I can assure you, skiing is so much cheaper, as there are no costs of feeding, housing, shoeing, vets fees to pay for a pair of skies!!!!!!!

Oh - and I work in an office of 9 other Canadians, and NONE of them ski or snow board!!!!

Good Luck
Bx

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Hey Bandit

How about the occasional weekend in Whistler together? (assuming I get a Mon-Fri job of course!). Would be fun to go with someone sometimes rather than always alone. Maybe February or March if I get settled in ok and set up with home and job and can still afford it!

Let me know what you think :)

Adele x

Re: Skiing
 

My lad, who moved out to Edmonton only this weekend can't wait to get on the piste, well I think that's what he said :D. Pretty experienced as he skied for the British Army. Only problem is I think his ski's are in my shed back in good old blighty. No doubt there will be a phone call "Dad can you just......"

Re: Skiing
 

Hiya 6 Limes,

We are a family of 4 (kids are 7 & 4 and they have skied since they were both 2)

I think its down to personal choice as to whether to ski or not - we love it, my Dad loves it but my Mum hates it - although she'll quite happily go snowshoeing or just wandering between mountain restaurants taking in the fresh air and fab views.

If you do decide to give it a go I recommend booking a few lessons (dont give up after the 1st one as its a new experience that may take a while to pick up) you can hire equipment so you dont need to buy ski-boots, ski's etc until you have been bitten by the bug and some resorts even hire the clothing you'll need - but if/when you are in Canada I am assuming you'll have maybe the basics for everyday winter living.

Like I said, its not something you have to do because you live in Canada - I know lots of Canadians who don't ski, but if you are just a little bit intrigued why not give it a go - whats the worst that can happen? You fall in love with it and ends up costing abit to get all the kit or you hate it - but at least you'll have tried and know

Rich_007 - Do you ski? I take it as a no - have you tried?? Why so negative??

I have skied for the last 22 years roughly and have worked 2 winter seasons in Europe, have broken my thumb and wrist twice and had an accident involving both my knees which resulted in an operation a year later (nothing major) but I still love skiing and won't be put off by minor incidents

Hope this helps 6 limes
Good luck with whatever you decide
Jan

Re: Skiing
 

Thank you all for your replies. My 4 sons, 8, 12, 14, 18 would love to ski/ snowboard or any other extreme snow related sport. DH and moi are more cautious but would have a go.
I didnt realise it was so expensive but hey everything costs nowadays.
Is there any skiing in Ontario or Nova Scotia or is it just a Rockies pastime?

Re: Skiing
 

Hi again,

Dont know about Nova Scotia - never been there so cant comment, maybe someone else can answer that bit

Ontario has lots of smaller ski hills - do a google seach for skiing ontario and see what comes up - We have skied at Blue Mountain which is an Intrawest owned resort, for beginners it will be great and for general daytrips it will probably be ok if you are in that area (about an hour & a half north of Toronto). It was where our youngest started out skiing but out of choice we wouldn't go back for a holiday as its quite small and limited compared to the other areas we've skied - Mont Tremblant QC and Whistler BC. Have yet to try out the Alberta ski areas having only been there in the summer but the runs look good.

I'm sure your children will love it - ours took to it like a duck to water, if you dont get the hang of it then theres always crosscountry skiing which is less of a downhill thing but still a good work out/way to keep fit.

I'm sure you'll have a great time whatever you decide
Jan

Re: Skiing
 

Hey - Most definately!!! Give me a shout when you get here and get settled etc. I should have done a few w/ends there by then, and know the routine etc....

Good Luck with the move - what / where and when etc...???

Bx

Re: Skiing
 

A bunch of gullible brochure-reading knobs and sweaty tourists paying for over-priced lift access on poor snow, bad overpriced food, and ill-fitting fugly nylon snow suits.

Go back country, where the real deal is. :cool:

R.

Re: Skiing
 

Will do Bandit, thanks! :-)

I land Jan 20th as a PR and then the job and room hunt will start in earnest! Hope to find a place to live by Feb 1st, have booked hotel for the first 12 nights (Quality Inn False Creek, on Howe near Drake). Once everything's settled down a bit I'd like to get at least a day/weekend or two in skiing this season, money permitting - ideally try out a local hill plus a trip to Whistler as well - hope the finances stretch!

Will also have to fit in driving lessons and tests! It's going to be a busy few months for sure, but I can't wait to get stuck in!

Think you said you're living downtown didn't you? Would be good to meet up early on for a chat/coffee if you can fit me in?!

See you soon, and have a lovely Christmas and New Year!

Adele :)