Looking for resort recommendation for Canadian Rockies

swinster

New member
I will be doing some work in Calgary in December and will be driving up from MT for the work. I am planning on taking 3-4 day to go skiing during my drive up. I will be driving past Fernie, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise, and Sunshine. Which of these resorts would have best track record for early Dec snow. Any other resorts that I am overlooking? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

thanks
Swinster
 
swinster":2ec91e7w said:
I will be driving past Fernie, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise, and Sunshine. Which of these resorts would have best track record for early Dec snow. Any other resorts that I am overlooking? Any recommendations would be appreciated.
i'm sure Tony is going to pipe in for snow info.

Overlooking? Castle Mtn, Alberta - east of Fernie.

Others resorts not mentioned on that lop. Kimberley, Panorama, Norquay, Nakiska & COP :wink:
 
On this short notice, you really need to look at what's happening this year as opposed to historical records.

Sunshine and Louise tend to accumulate snow gradually and are usually rocky in December. Their numbers look better than a lot of US resorts now, but are in fact about average. Eyewitness reports from a week or so ago said lots of rocks. Sunshine has had 22 inches in the past 4 days, so much of it will be good even if the steeps aren't ready yet. Reports from Louise are not good.

Fernie has snow up high, but has had a lot of rain and the lower mountain is marginal at best. Castle may be a little better from its higher elevation, but it will not open until Dec. 15.

Kicking Horse will be opening for the weekend of Dec. 8-9, then daily from Dec. 14. There is a 55 inch base at 7,000 feet on 86 inches of snowfall since Nov. 1. These are the best numbers in the region, but that's 2/3 of the way up the hill and KH's base area (to which you must return after ~3/4 of the upper runs) gets about 40% as much snow as the 7,000 foot plot.
 
Back
Top