2018/2019 CANADIAN ROCKIES THREAD

"The issue in these regions is a weak layer at lower elevations, which means the snowpack at and below treeline is more dangerous than the alpine. Forecasters are concerned this unusual situation may catch some backcountry recreationists off guard. Many close-calls involving this layer have been reported over the past few days and with the coming weekend, more people will be heading out into the mountains."

from avalanche.ca ^^

I was in Sunrise hut last week the bad layer there was managable

I kicked off a few small 8" thick slabs below treeline during the week maybe the size of a car

Then a big dump on thursday was so reactive the guides did one ski cut just below the shitter and called off skiing

nobody complained, there was pow everywhere but not a cm to ski

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

I think you would change your mind about the terrain once you put fat skis on. It’s been closed for 15 years and it sucked back then so I don’t know how that would change. Just let it Rest In Peace... turn it into a hut access ski touring club or something along those lines. I’m convinced it will fail again as a ski hill.

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Have a buddy who proposed this the SRD when it closed the last time and they took back the lease. They insisted that the land use designation only allows for a public ski area. He has been hassling them ever since as the owners have been running it as anything but. I’ll be extremely surprised if it opens next year, or ever, they were supposedly all ready to go back in 2016, except for no money, or applications for building permits, or anything else that indicated they were really going to build.

Anyone have some beta on kicking horse conditions? Currently in Fernie and thinking of heading that way.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_con...&v=UN6Aqx_kIR8

Can’t wait for lift 15 to be installed in the year 3000...where are they going to get the $ to control all this avy terrain while staying a small family ski hill? I like the idea of the family biathlon?

This idea looks doomed! Another story of investors dooped....guess the investors will find that out when they start asking where that awesome skating lake in the promo video surrounded by glaciers is and find out it is Lake Louise 2.5-3hrs away...

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_con...&v=UN6Aqx_kIR8

Can’t wait for lift 15 to be installed in the year 3000...where are they going to get the $ to control all this avy terrain while staying a small family ski hill? I like the idea of the family biathlon?

This idea looks doomed! Another story of investors dooped....guess the investors will find that out when they start asking where that awesome skating lake in the promo video surrounded by glaciers is and find out it is Lake Louise 2.5-3hrs away...

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yeah, ok, you don't like it. we get it. now fuck off and post about this the next time this happens, don't sully the thread with 15 posts on the same subject.

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Originally Posted by f2f

yeah, ok, you don't like it. we get it. now fuck off and post about this the next time this happens, don't sully the thread with 15 posts on the same subject.

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Investor? Lol

I couldn’t care either way if this happens.

I’m sure most would appreciate the promo video.

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

Investor? Lol

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i'd ski there if it opened, but fortress insider info isn't why i'm visiting this thread, at least not until it opens. pump the brakes on the posts.

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Originally Posted by Johnny P

Anyone have some beta on kicking horse conditions? Currently in Fernie and thinking of heading that way.

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You need to walk to find the good stuff.

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

Its not because the hills are full its because the snow is wayyyyy better!

The only positive to reopening Fortress is that the Gas Station at the bottom sells singles....Besides that RIP

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I think there are a number of reasons for 50% of Alberta ski days are outside the province. Skiing is typically a relatively high cost venture, middle class , more accurately upper middle class. A lot of those folks have places either in the Invermere Valley, Fernie, Golden or even Montana. I know even more that are getting places in the Okanagan. If you have vacation property, if you are Calgarian, it is likely in BC or Montana for skiers.

For me, sitting in Calgary, it is a major ordeal to pack up all the gear, load up the car and head to the mountains with an 1.5 or 1.75 hour drive to a hill for a day skiing. It seems odd, but that was why we put the kids into the BAR program at Norquay, it forced us to get out at least once a week for 10 weeks in winter. Add some trips to visit my brother in Invermere and then Golden, we got some good days in. My daughter taught at Nakiska for a winter and that was hellish. Overcrowded, bad skiers, and IMO, very poorly designed trail system. Dangerous place IMO. My kids spent two years in the freeskiing program at Sunshine after we were done with BAR (none wanted to race). Very crowded, and seldom lived up to its’ name prior to mid-March.

Like many in ur neighbourhoods, having a place in PAno, Fernie or KH, with shorter drives to the hills, it is easier to drive out Friday night, back Sunday and be that much closer to the hills.


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-34 this monring in banff, big inversion and looks like the cold is being pushed out too.

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

I think you would change your mind about the terrain once you put fat skis on. It’s been closed for 15 years and it sucked back then so I don’t know how that would change. Just let it Rest In Peace... turn it into a hut access ski touring club or something along those lines. I’m convinced it will fail again as a ski hill.

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Originally Posted by robnow

Just let Fortress die already. I'm nostalgic too, used to coach and spent many of my university days there but I'm convinced like TD, that if we ever went back there, it would be BORING AS FUCK!

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While I think you may be overly harsh Rob and Dirt, I wonder if you may have some semblance of a point... I haven't skied there since 1992. Having said that, my first ski day was there in 1977, my first season pass was there, I have such great memories of the place... I can't help but wish it well. And, it is in a snow pocket...

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Originally Posted by Mike Rogers

This seems to be optimistic at best. Maybe a misunderstanding of the market.

"Fifty per cent of Albertan ski days are outside the province,” said Waddell. “That’s a huge number of skiers that leave Alberta to ski simply because Alberta’s ski hills are full.”

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I'd say that the Alberta ski hills being full is bullshit. I've been skiing Castle, Louise and SSV for the last 6 seasons and have perhaps twice in a couple of hundred days seen lineups that have made me cringe. People aren't leaving Alberta to ski because of the lineups, they are leaving for the reasons dufferdan explained below:

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Originally Posted by dufferdan

I think there are a number of reasons for 50% of Alberta ski days are outside the province. ...A lot of those folks have places either in the Invermere Valley, Fernie, Golden or even Montana. I know even more that are getting places in the Okanagan. If you have vacation property, if you are Calgarian, it is likely in BC or Montana for skiers.

For me, sitting in Calgary, it is a major ordeal to pack up all the gear, load up the car and head to the mountains with an 1.5 or 1.75 hour drive to a hill for a day skiing.
Like many in ur neighbourhoods, having a place in PAno, Fernie or KH, with shorter drives to the hills, it is easier to drive out Friday night, back Sunday and be that much closer to the hills.

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

I'd ski there again if it does actually open.
My understanding of why it failed was almost entirely due to needing bridge repairs that suddenly came up.

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Yeah, I'd ski there too for old times sake. I think the reasons it closed were explained quite well in the article https://www.rmoutlook.com/article/fo...ening-20190207. I've no reason to doubt them.

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Originally Posted by reckless toboggan

I think that all of us who used to ski it BITD with its legendary upsloap dumps, have money and kids now...and would take them to Fortress in a hot second.

You're being given the chance to avoid Sunshine or Nakiska, or god forbid COP...as are all the other Calgarians who have nostalgia for skiing there and now have kids.

I think there's a market for this.

You're in the parking lot in less than an hour. You're home in less than an hour. Do people really want to drive with their kids all the way to Sunshine for snow? Or Nakiska for ice? ...when you could go to the Fort for either, with less drive and likely for less money? For putting around with your 5 year old, or ripping laps with your teenager who's starting to kick your ass?

This seems like a no-brainer, given how much it costs a Calgary family to go for a full weekend to Golden, or the time spent driving whiny, tired kids back and forth to Sunshine.

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I agree Reckless.

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Originally Posted by teamdirt

Its not because the hills are full its because the snow is wayyyyy better!

The only positive to reopening Fortress is that the Gas Station at the bottom sells singles....Besides that RIP

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No it's not. It's because of the reasons stated by Dufferdan. And yes, the singles at that gas station are tits.

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Originally Posted by robnow

Are Sunshine/Louise even really that busy?

Don't forget Fortress fries and The Wall jump!

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No they are not. And the fries and the wall jump were great.

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

Sunshine gets quite busy... Sometimes even during the week.

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Shorty, I haven't seen the busyness myself even on weekends.

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Originally Posted by Pass Rat

I think this has about a snowballs chance in hell of actually happening. Sunshine, Nakiska, and Lake Louise are going to come out swinging to stop this. RCR killed fortress once in 2004 and I don't doubt for a second that they can do it again 15 years later.

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Good point.

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Originally Posted by f2f

i'd ski there if it opened, but fortress insider info isn't why i'm visiting this thread, at least not until it opens. pump the brakes on the posts.

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It's the fucking rockies thread, you don't want to read about a resort in the rockies potentially re-opening, then ignore/skip/don't read the posts about it.
Fuck.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

-34 this monring in banff, big inversion and looks like the cold is being pushed out too.

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Same going on at Castle. -30 at the bottom, -13 at the summit. Fuck. Oh well, the Red didn't spin yesterday so there will be pow up top.

I guess busy is relative. SSV and Louise aren't busy compared with big US resorts, but I've experienced two days with some pretty decent lift lines just this season.

And the article has only 1 short paragraph on the reasons it shut down. I'm sure that was part of it but seems pretty simplistic. I think it's safe to say there were likely other factors as well.

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Originally Posted by garyfromterrace

It's the fucking rockies thread, you don't want to read about a resort in the rockies potentially re-opening, then ignore/skip/don't read the posts about it.
Fuck.

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lol, investor much? :D

i read about it once, twice, three times a lady! didn't care about it the 15th time. you're not helping either.

Wow, what a sleeper of a day at the Shine. 15 degree inversion and the Dive skied great for once this season.

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

I've experienced two days with some pretty decent lift lines just this season.

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But even those two days at the Lake weren't that bad. Ok, my friends bitched that Big Friday (January) was bad (due to not much opening?) but Day After Saturday was busy but fine IMO, skied fresh lines at the end of the day still. Same with last weekend's dump, Saturday was busy but nothing compared to what all of us experience in Fernie/Kicking Horse.

I can't remember any lines at SSV once up on the hill. Even rope drops/Dive opening (last season) have been mellow affairs.

In other news... forecast for castle looks good for Wednesday.

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

In other news... forecast for castle looks good for Wednesday.

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darn, my powder alliance days for castle are on blackout 2/14/2019 – 2/23/2019

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Originally Posted by mntlion

darn, my powder alliance days for castle are on blackout 2/14/2019 – 2/23/2019

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Might be worth it anyway if they get the currently forecasted 30cm on Tuesday (18cm forecasted overnight).

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

Might be worth it anyway if they get the currently forecasted 30cm on Tuesday (18cm forecasted overnight).

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Damn just saw that. Come on down boys. You too F2F. I could try to snag a corp pass or 2. My hideabed's available. Prolly sleep 3 of you.

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Originally Posted by f2f

lol, investor much? :D

i read about it once, twice, three times a lady! didn't care about it the 15th time. you're not helping either.

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haha, a little. Oh well one more comment aint gonna send you over the edge eh :fmicon:

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Originally Posted by garyfromterrace

Damn just saw that. Come on down boys. You too F2F. I could try to snag a corp pass or 2. My hideabed's available. Prolly sleep 3 of you.

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Overnights are not possible yet as the little man doesn't sleep when he should, but I'm certainly considering a day trip.

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Can't believe I just discovered toe warmers (always just assumed they would be uncomfortable) and frost tape -- which pretty much seems to be athletic tape -- but it was worth looking like an idiot with blue tape all over my face on Saturday at Louise to avoid frostbite. Around -30C at the base in the morning, and easily the coldest day I've ever had. Almost drove home. Glad to dial in my super duper cold outfit and manage.
By the way, other then parking (especially at SSV if you get in late), I'm always amazed at how little the lineups here are, though I'm usually single. Growing up in the US and dealing with shitty lineups even at shitty little hills, let alone an area like Tahoe, I'm always grateful. It's pretty amazing actually. I don't think I've ever waited longer than a minute at Marmot...and it seems like everyone forgets about skiing here around mid march.

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Originally Posted by garyfromterrace

haha, a little. Oh well one more comment aint gonna send you over the edge eh :fmicon:

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that's it, mang. i'm triggered af now!

Sadly no inversions in here in Fernie, just cold!

Hey Pano crew, anyone one know the early season rate on a family pass runs. The website is confusing me.

Today at castle was very good. Slight inversion most of the day kept temps above -15 and big winds last night filled in some of my favorites.

Very last minute, I know - but does anyone have a pair of light-ish weight groomer skis with bindings for a 315bsl my father could borrow for wed-fri? He’s 5-9 and an intermediate skier at best. I’m Getting married Saturday and he’s keen to ski Louise and SSV to remind him of his youth. He skis 1 or 2 days every year or two approaching his 70th birthday . Skiied lots in his youth but had to give it up when he had us 4 kids. Will rent if necessary but thought I would reach out and see if anyone has anything. He complained his last pair were too heavy.


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Originally Posted by shafty85

Very last minute, I know - but does anyone have a pair of light-ish weight groomer skis with bindings for a 315bsl my father could borrow for wed-fri? He’s 5-9 and an intermediate skier at best. I’m Getting married Saturday and he’s keen to ski Louise and SSV to remind him of his youth. He skis 1 or 2 days every year or two approaching his 70th birthday . Skiied lots in his youth but had to give it up when he had us 4 kids. Will rent if necessary but thought I would reach out and see if anyone has anything. He complained his last pair were too heavy.


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My 100mm under foot ski IS my groomer ski. [emoji6]

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If this holds up at castle on Tuesday ... https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...817f22a056.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by shafty85

Very last minute, I know - but does anyone have a pair of light-ish weight groomer skis with bindings for a 315bsl my father could borrow for wed-fri? He’s 5-9 and an intermediate skier at best. I’m Getting married Saturday and he’s keen to ski Louise and SSV to remind him of his youth. He skis 1 or 2 days every year or two approaching his 70th birthday . Skiied lots in his youth but had to give it up when he had us 4 kids. Will rent if necessary but thought I would reach out and see if anyone has anything. He complained his last pair were too heavy.


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K2 SL ski, with atomic 10-18 on it 155cm? and 13m turn radius.

you can use them, and they sure like to turn, but not light with that binding

pm me

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Originally Posted by weibo

Hey Pano crew, anyone one know the early season rate on a family pass runs. The website is confusing me.

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Not too sure what you are getting at, but I'll take a stab at it.

You get the biggest discount on the following season pass if you purchase before the end of May. As comparison, the current season pass price for a full pass Adult is $1199, I think I got mine for $938+tax, purchased in May. Note that there is a further discount if you purchase passes for the whole family at once. So if you have a husband, wife and two kid, all same last name/blood relative, the kids passes are $100 less than individually, for say a student. Note that they also have a Transferable Adult pass. This means that if you have young kids, one can look after kids at home while other is skiing, and swap out and reverse roles for afternoon, but only one of the two adults on the transferable pass can be on the hill at any one time. You will need to buy a pass for each individual child though. I think the discounts are deepest before May 31, for following season, then Sept 30, then up to full freight after Oct1.

Last year they had a much better reciprocal program, this year, all they sent me was:
" Lake Louise Mountain Resort
$20 off full-day, regular ticket prices (Ages 13+)
20% off Child full-day, full-priced ticket prices (Ages 6-12) for up to 2 accompanying children daily.

Sunshine Village - 20% off week day lift tickets

Castle Mountain Resort - full day ticket at the half day rate

Unfortunately Fernie does not offer us"

The SSV discount is Mon-Thurs only. I was there on a Friday and got told "full freight". I am hoping to take advantage of the Castlehalf off in a couple weeks....

Let me know if this hit or missed the mark?

DD

I think Panorama is starting to price themselves out of the "family" market.

Most locals with young families are buying Passes at Fairmont, cost is less than $500 and you get a pool pass too.

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That's what I was looking for. That is pretty steep for passes for the family. I was assuming that there would be a family pass like exist at most other Rocky Mountain resorts. I will pass this on. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by mntlion

K2 SL ski, with atomic 10-18 on it 155cm? and 13m turn radius.

you can use them, and they sure like to turn, but not light with that binding

pm me

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Appreciate the offer. DIN sounds too high for him. He picked up a pair from family friends. Let the warm weather begin.........

Fernie is cold and snowy, yesterday was fun with 30cm of fresh. 15cm more overnight should make for good day today.

Fernie is skiing pretty good right now. The new snow was pretty light so you can definitely feel the crust off piste on most of the lower mountain and in sports on the upper mountain. Sound like more snow in the forecast for Thursday, just in time for the family day weekend chaos.

Headed up north this weekend for a long overdue trip to the Canadian Rockies. Gotta place in Golden reserved but wondering if anyone had any recommendations of where to ski this weekend. I was planning on Kicking Horse but don't know if there would be better stashes elsewhere...... Any thoughts from the locals?

Castle was amazing today!

Lower temps on the lower mountain meant super light powder... Tough to get float but faceshots galore!

Upper mountain was more supportive powder and was amazing!

The snow in the trees in North Bowl was DEEEEP!

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Originally Posted by Shorty_J

Castle was amazing today!

Lower temps on the lower mountain meant super light powder... Tough to get float but faceshots galore!

Upper mountain was more supportive powder and was amazing!

The snow in the trees in North Bowl was DEEEEP!

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Did they open everything? Will it be worth the drive from Fernie tomorrow?

They did open everything.

It's tracked but still very soft and there's some fresh if you know where to look... Mostly North (away from the chutes).

I'd say tomorrow would be a fun day, yes, and probably worth the drive.

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