Banff Area Skiing in May

[miker27]

The girlfriend and I are flying into Calgary (cheap flights from Denver) on Friday, renting a wicked camper van, and dicking off for a week. Typically we drive and camp out of our own rig, so loading it up with gear for all the activities and figuring it out as we go is no problem. Since we'll be paying to bring skis with us this round I'd like to make sure they get used - or left at home. Any beta on what's good, or at least not awful, this time of year? She's a competent but shy skier, so we probably won't be able to knock out anything too steep or narrow. We have our avy certs and more importantly are pretty terrified of slides/aren't blatant idiots.
Open ears to any other must do's/see's in the area. We're planning on climbing a few days, getting some trail runs in, and otherwise being tourists

[Kirby]

Talk to mntlion, he's a Barff local.

[garyfromterrace]

Sunshine is still open with great coverage. you could probably stay on hill for cheap (ish) check out mtnLion's "how to ski Banff " thread.

[miker27]

Thanks for pointing me towards that thread, good stuff. I'd prefer to tour because we're about to be super in debt as the lady starts PT school next month. And because touring is fun. We'll be staying in the janky looking camper we have rented; which will probably be as much as a hotel with the camping fees. I'm no big patriot but I already miss the national forest land we have here

[evdog]

We'll be staying in the janky looking camper we have rented; which will probably be as much as a hotel with the camping fees. I'm no big patriot but I already miss the national forest land we have here

National parks like Banff are similar to any national parks in the US, camping regulations and all. There is plenty of free dispersed camping on non-park crown land just like there is on national forest / BLM land. But you are faced with a cluster of national and provincial parks around Banff which is why camping seems restricted. Once you get beyond those parks onto regular crown land you can head up almost any forest road and dispersed camp. There used to be tons of open camping up the forestry trunk road (#40) north of Hwy 1, though I heard it was getting reigned in. I think otherwise you'd have to go a ways south or pretty much to Golden before you'd get out of the parks.

[mntlion]

valley bottom is in biking/hiking mode. mid range is muddy or spring snow. high elevation is winter.

check out the N facing stuff, between lake louise and and Jasper, lots of options for some steep stuff. For more mellow, be away of snow vs glacier transitions (crevasse issues)

[brutah]

the wife and I skied around peyto lake/bow summit a few years back in may when we were in the banff area. Pretty easy access. Fun skiing and scenic AF

and I thought the canadian national park campgrounds were rad. Part of your campground fees gets you all the free wood you'd like! heard the campgrounds can get rowdy as you get closer to summer......

[miker27]

I probably came of more crotchety about the camping situation than I am - happy to spend money where it's going to good use and I'm not really comparing apples to apples on national forest/blm land.

Good beta though, many thanks

[mntlion]

for drop/disperse camping, this is your closest to lake louise. free, but might not be worth the gas ?

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.9601...4591101,11.94z

[evdog]

It should be nice in the parks with fewer tourists than summer peak season. Should be no problem getting camping sites, and there are some great ones right on lakes.

Heading south into Kananaskis country / Peter Lougheed Provincial park is also a good bet. I know nothing about skiing but there should be some good hiking open by now.

Don't forget bear (wildlife) safety. Some trails in Banff used to get closed to some uses or had minimum group sizes
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/ou...seajour-update
http://www.wildsmart.ca/trail-closures.htm

[grinch]

Tons of good skiing still. Lots around lake Louise . Fairview,Surprise pass, st piran, divide glacier(mt niblock )can be quick skis. Up the parkway crowfoot is a mellow north face tour(backside as described in the chic Scott book). Bow summit, observation, cirque peak are roadside quickies

[Caucasian Asian]

Any organized campground will be full this weekend. Lots of people taking off already to stretch their long weekend out.

[mntlion]

Any organized campground will be full this weekend. Lots of people taking off already to stretch their long weekend out.

and a LOT of disorganized camping will happen too. both in and out of the park.

[miker27]

Thanks again for all the info - awesome. We're pretty good at winging it; no major itinerary and no expectations usually turns out fun. I'll try to swing through an MEC or other shop for a skiing guidebook - sounds like there's a lot to choose from even now. Plus we'll need bear spray or the girlfriend will maul me herself. Bells are packed.
Good camping info, too. I don't think we're going to be able to get away with much stealth camping in our rental, but it seems like the overflow lots will work as a worst case. I hope..