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Banff or Red Mountain??

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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664

Hi guys

im going to do a season next winter, doing an instructors course and the company im doing it with use a few places and ive narrowed it down to banff or red mountain. i love park and i wanna start riding more pow and backcountry, so which one do you think? another thing is that i'll only be 18 when i go so how strict are they on drinking in bc resorts??

any help would be much appreciated!

Jan 24 2011 2:58PM
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undercover_skier
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 160
I'd say red mountain over banff anytime, as for drinking depends on the bar your at, good luck
Jan 24 2011 3:07PM
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664

nice one, thanks man

Jan 24 2011 3:13PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33

short and simple answer: my 2c

Banff if you want to meet lots of people, ski more park, and party. Banff is an hour from calgary (million people)

Red if you want to ski crazy good pow / big mountain and not party as much. Red is way chill / less people.

Jan 24 2011 3:32PM
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undercover_skier
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 160
BTW the only province in Canada that you can drink at 18 is in Quebec oui les boys , only in Quebec eh !!!
Jan 24 2011 3:39PM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
I was in a similar situation to you last year.  Banff or somewhere farther into bc.  I ended up going with banff for a few reasons.  One, i had a job lined up already in a ski shop in town.  If you don't come out here with a plan for employment, especially around nov/dec, youre not going to find anything.  Same deal with housing, have something lined up.  I also like the fact that the season is long, I was skiing in early nov, and the season runs til mid may.  i'm also 18, so that was a factor in coming to Alberta.  Banff does have a pretty rockin party scene, and people are down to get right fuckin smashed pretty much every night.  The downside is that it is expensive.  Rent, food, and especially booze add up very quickly.  Whether or not you have a car also a factor.  If you do that obviously sucks some money, but it is very convenient.  If not you can always hitch which is usually fast, but not always reliable.  Also, if you live accross town, it can be up to a half hour walk to hitch hiker alley to get a ride.  Option 3 is taking the bus, but it's $15 round trip.  More than likely though you'll meet lots of people who have cars and rides won't be an issue.
Jan 24 2011 3:55PM
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kyle.m
Posts: 223 - Karma: 16
you can drink at 18 in Alberta to man and Banff is in Alberta but Banff if way more park than pow. Red by far has better terrain for big mountain stuff. So its really up you man. Good luck with your decision
Jan 24 2011 4:21PM
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undercover_skier
Posts: 1079 - Karma: 160
you rite sorry

The legal drinking age in Canada varies between the different provinces and territories: In Alberta, Manitoba and Québec the legal drinking age is 18 years, for all remaining provinces and territories the legal age is 19 years.
Jan 24 2011 4:26PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
For skiing, go to Red/Rossland. It is one of my favourite hills ever. I love it there. Bonus: Whitewater/Nelson is an hour drive away. Thing about Rossland is, it is a small town. Make sure you have a job lined up before you go. Nelson seems to be a ski bum destination. If you are looking for an instructor job, I might be able to help you out if you are interested in going to Golden. But that is just a maybe.
Thing about BC is, the drinking age is 19, so I can't help you all to much there.

As for living and your partying, Alberta would be a better bet. There is only a 5% tax here (unlike the 12% in BC). Drinking age is 18, and there are plenty of ski hills to apply at. Banff/Lake Louise area have 3 ski hills in the area.


Jan 24 2011 5:22PM
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danetudor
Posts: 178 - Karma: 1,325
Go to red you wont regret it! Sickest shredding!!!!
Jan 24 2011 5:44PM
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skiskate
Posts: 787 - Karma: 823
I just got to rossland 3 days ago, drove out from ontario. GO TO RED! I found a place to live within like 2 hours of arriving in town, but i got pretty lucky with that. The terrain at red is so fun. Lots of drops powder and good trees. By far my favorite place to ski in bc that I have been to.
Jan 24 2011 5:47PM
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tinkytwinky
Posts: 2432 - Karma: 1,446

RED MOUNTAIN!!! go there every year with my dad, my favorite place to ski, the best terrain, super sick lodge, and crazy bc.

plus they are developing a new face so more terrain to come!

Jan 24 2011 5:49PM
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scientist
Posts: 6920 - Karma: 347
red mountain is my fave resort ive skiied other than wb
Jan 24 2011 5:58PM
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
thanks alot man, thats waaay helpful, im kinda leaning towards banff for the park and parties and then i'll make the most of the powder days but the snow powder and conditions at red are  a massive temptation. that would be great if you could help me with a job but it wouldnt be for a couple of years till ive done the course and got the quals but i'll add you as a friend if thats cool, and mabybe talk to you again closer to the time. have you got any reccomendations as to who to do the instructors course with cos im looking at doing it witht the english company nonstop ski, who look really good, but im open to suggestions?? thanks agian!
Jan 24 2011 6:04PM
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jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
except for alberta...
Jan 24 2011 6:07PM
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pastysmasher
Posts: 780 - Karma: 664
thanks alot guys, thats really useful stuff!
Jan 24 2011 6:08PM
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rudager
Posts: 11332 - Karma: 4,597
No problem man. The job (if available,) would be working with the Nancy Green Ski Club as a coach. My folks are run it. So I'll do what I can.

And if you end up in Banff or Louise, Kicking Horse is only on the other side of the province, you can get your big mountain fix there.

As for instructors course, I have no clue. Do some research in Ski Instructors qualification in Canada. That'll give you more help than me.
Jan 24 2011 6:13PM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
Based on the fact that you are talking about non stop, I assume you are form the UK. Heres a pro tip, dont bother with any of those programs unless you really feel the need drop 10k on a 3 month program. Just come over and live here, then take a 3 day course that costs $200 and boom you have your level one. In my experience, 90% of the kids in the programs had their parents drop the cash and dont really have any appreciation for being here.
Jan 24 2011 6:34PM
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je_mapelle
Posts: 157 - Karma: 11
couldn't agree more with this guy. These instructor courses are way too expensive. You will meet alot of people on the course but if you just go out to the resort and do you're own thing you will meet a much more diverse group of people. Meaning not just the rich kids on nonstop.
Saying that, if you feel doing an instructor course is the only way for you to get out to Canada for a season then definately do it. You probably wont regret it.

Also if you're thinking of going to Banff or Red... go to Fernie.
Jan 24 2011 8:07PM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
Except for when it rains top to bottom :)
Jan 24 2011 8:45PM
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Sharknuts.
Posts: 339 - Karma: 953
I just got back from Red and it is the sickest mountain I have ever skied! So much to explore, no lift lines, and everyone is throwing down! Great vibes at Red! I highly suggest it!
Jan 24 2011 8:48PM
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je_mapelle
Posts: 157 - Karma: 11
haha very true... stopped now though!!
Jan 24 2011 8:59PM
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skiskate
Posts: 787 - Karma: 823
I didnt even realize you said your gonna be doing one of those courses. Yeah just come live in the town. Youll find a place to live easy enough, meet some locals. And save so much money. I paid for my level 1 in grade 11 for like 250 bucks.
Jan 24 2011 11:45PM
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