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 )

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'!

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?

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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 . 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......"

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

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?

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

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

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.

R.