Ski Trip to Banff

For February break, we left snowy Seattle behind and headed to the Canadian Rockies for lots more snow and skiing. We flew into Calgary and drove west from there into the mountains; we stayed in Banff for six nights. The scenery was amazing - Mary Jo and John hadn't been back in 28+ years since their honeymoon in the area, and while we've visited lots of mountainous scenic areas since then, this still ranks among the most scenic. The sharp mountains all around, with lots of snow and rock, made for amazing views, and seeing it from the ski slopes made it all the more dramatic.

The town of Banff is a classic, quaint tourist town, very walkable (though the entire week was VERY cold). We stopped in the Christmas Shop we had bought our tree topper and a few ornaments back on our honeymoon (they said they'd been in business 32 years in that same spot!) and we bought a new tree topper and some decorations. The hotel we stayed at was relatively new and very nice.

The skiing was great. There are three resorts in the immediate area (within a 40 minute drive): Mt Norquay, Sunshine Village, and Lake Louise. We spent a half-day at Norquay (a fairly small resort), 1.5 days at Sunshine, and the boys spend 2 days at Lake Louise (parents spent 1 day there and the other day returning to Emerald Lake Lodge). We also ventured two hours west to Kicking Horse, which is a more hard core ski area, a bit off the beaten track of the others, and some really great skiing. All in all an amazing trip!!

Banff Avenue in Banff

View from top of Wawa Lift at Sunshine

Ridge at Sunshine

Mountains

Full Moon over the Mountains

Bighorn Sheep by Side of the Road

Jack at top of Sunshine

Across the Valley at Kicking Horse

Jack Going up Stairway to Heaven at Kicking Horse

Henry Outside Restaurant at top of Kicking Horse

More Mountains

Going Into Mt Norquay

Lift at Mt Norquay

Moose Hotel in Banff

Lake Louise Lodge

Moose Hotel - interior hallways were outside!