Banff February 2022

Banff February 5 - 13, 2022
 

 A few members flew in and out of Calgary International while the rest of the group from both the Pacific Ski Club and our Sister club, the Victoria Alpine Ski Club drove up.  We all stayed one night in Revelstoke, a 6 1/2 hour drive up from Vancouver, heading into Alberta the following day.  That ride was only about 3 to 3 1/2 hours for the 1st group, but the Trans Canada Highway closed after Sven, the PSC President's motorcade drove through from Golden over the Roger's Pass.  The closure was possibly due to tighter security reasons or an avalanche; the others enjoyed the extra 2 1/2  hours driving through beautiful Radium Hot Springs to arrive in Banff.

Light Rocky Mountain powder snow fell on the way up and continued to fall on our first day skiing.  We picked Sunshine Village, but with high winds and snow, many of the upper chairlifts were closed most of the day.  At times, even our experienced ski club members had to stop and allow the arctic winds to settle down so we could see where we were.  Yet, at the end of that day, we skied to the bottom and as few were smart enough to ski the extra 500 vertical meters that late in the day, we had 1st tracks on 4 to 6 inches of new powder.  It was a real bonus for our tired feet.

On our second day, we took the free shuttle to Lake Louise, a trip which from the hotel on Banff Avenue to the parking lot takes 55 minutes, and not 35 as some skier boasted in the bar the night before.

With all lifts open, but lots of fresh powder from the days before, we had a Rocky Mountain powder day in the front and on the back side using the Larch Chair area and Trapper's Pub for our lunch break.

Dave Burck, our good friend from the Victoria club was the only one to ski all 5 days in a row.  Most of us took Wednesday off and then skied Thursday, Friday and Saturday.   

On our 'rest' day, a big group headed up the Banff Hot Springs and enjoyed a day in the open air tubs, soaking the natural spring waters and meeting people from all over the world.  That place is a must visit on any Banff trip.

Dave and I left the others to ski Lake Louise while we took the small shuttle to Mt. Norquay, the mountain locals tell to not to ski.  

I will say this, "If you are a decent intermediate skier, you will be able to ski this mountain.  If you are a good to expert skier, you will love this mountain.  The blues are like Dark Blues at Whistler, the Blacks are really black, and one chair does not have a single blue run to bring you back home.  I enjoyed the blacks; Dave was a little wiser as there was no new snow and it really never warms up.  

By late afternoon, I was skiing icier runs, but as I tune and sharpen my own skis (Sven's Ski Shop, Delta B.C.), I ran down those steep pistes like a true Austrian downhill racer (idiot), while Dave had smother blue runs to which I soon migrated.  In all, Dave and I skied 25 chairs by 1p.m., had two beer and some chili, then did 6 more runs for a total of 31 chairlifts and 28,600 vertical feet (8727M).  They loaded us at 3:58 with the lifts closing at 4 p.m.  Both of us could have skied another 1000 vertical meters without any problem. 

For my sake, and for the sake of the locals in Banff, please do not ski Mt. Norquay.  You will be in the bar in Banff by 4:15 pm and then it is not my fault if you cannot walk by 10 p.m.

Without a doubt, Banff is the skiers playground.  There are so many bars, pubs, restaurants, late-night pizza eateries, shops, spas, museums, and tours that one of our group never even bothered to strap on his skis, yet he had a blast.  

Hiking along the bow River, there are sights to see.  Walking along the main street, Banff Avenue, and then meandering off onto the back streets like Bear, Caribou, of Wolf, you come into another lesser kn own business area.  There you will find the British Pub and other restaurant and shops.  The town of Banff goes for block on end after those busy streets.

Once the storm clouds parted, we had three Blue Bird, Blue Sky sking days of which all of good skiers dreams are made.  

At an altitude of 4,300 feet above sea level, Banff is one of the higher towns in Canada.  Yet, stepping off a chair at 2,763 meters of just over 9,100 feet, there is a rich blue that you can only see in the mountains of on a lady's finger with a good quality Sapphire ring.

Skiing on the pristine white powder, on runs that seem to go on forever, is a memory all of us will take back.

Iain, or socials and activities chair had told us that he had not strapped skies on for 11 years.  We had pity on him and Bruce and Shannon gave him a ski tune-up package only to find out this guy has not qualms on skiing blue and black runs.  In fact, Dave, Bruce and Shannon had a difficult time keeping up with wee Scottish Ski Demon.  

I took them to Sunshine Village on the Saturday and Iain skied the entire mountain and even on to a closed snowmobile trail, one we had to hike up a hill or two as our momentum and speed did not carry us over the steep uphill section(s).  Bruce finally skied over and we skied over back onto a regular ski run, one which generally leads downhill.

With us on this memorable trip were two club members who are likely one of the oldest couples still active as members in any ski club in Canada.  In fact, I will challenge SKI CANADA Magazine to find me another, older couple.  Larry Walker, a young 90+, and Betty Walker (age withheld) flew into Calgary and joined us in Banff.  

Both walked from the hotel to the end of the town many times, taking in the beauty which Banff offers.  They partied at St. James's Gate a number of times, went on an excursion to the natural, outdoor hot springs, walked over the bridge to the Bow River, to view the National Park Headquarters, went to the museum (closed during the week), and stopped in the Royal Canadian Legion to help us drink 7 pitchers of good Alberta beer.  Eating at different and unique Banff restaurants, they even went down into Tommy O's for a few beer. 

While in Banff, we helped in celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.  Yes, happily married for 65 years, and still going strong!!!!  

I think our Prime Minister, should come out to B.C. (something politicians only do when there is an election) and congratulate them for being the most active ski club couple in Canada.

Brent Lee, a Canadian composer and musician, played at St. James's Gate on the Thursday night; we stayed until the last set was over which was not too far after midnight.  Irene met her new 'boy friend', the Rock Star (photo of the two love birds on the right). 

The beauty of a ski vacation is you do not have to ski 40,000 vertical feet every day like our VP, Walter Dorken, did at Whistler the other day.  There, working your skis to justify paying for your season's pass. In Banff, if you felt like it, you went in for a warm meal, a pitcher of beer, or took a moment to film or snap a picture or two.  That is what ski vacations are all about.

Sun, fun, adventure, beer, ciders, good wine, great food, excellent company with friends and family, a birthday, and a 65th wedding anniversary all came with the paltry $559.00 for which the Pacific Ski Club offered this memorable trip. 

Those of you who stayed home; you missed a ski trip of a lifetime. Those who came along, you have fond memories which will last a lifetime.  We plan to do it again next year, but it will likley cost you much more.  We had the hotel for the same price as we had it in 1985!!!  

That offer will not be easy to negotiate, especially with the way hotel had to stay closed for so long over the past two years.  

If you want to see our ski hills and resorts open, it is time to bring out you wallet and show you care.  Join the Pacific Ski Club, and begin to live in the great outdoors once again.

From all of us at Lake Louise, at Sunshine Village, at Mt. Norquay in Banff Alberta; at Kicking Horse, at Red Mountain, White Water, Sun Peaks, Mt. Washington or Mt. Mackenzie  in British Columbia, come out to our club nights, join the club, plan to book a ski trip before the ski season ends.  

The world really is you oyster, you just need to get out of your cave, dive into the vast ocean of life, and pull out the beautiful pearl which life can give to anyone who steps outside.

Sven Stefanov

President of the Pacific Ski Club since 2015 (that's me to the right of Shannon)