The best time to ski Alberta/BC in an El Nino year?

admafw

admafw

New member
The weather channel says it's shaping up to be an El Nino year... With that in mind, I'm planning on taking my wife out to either Alberta or BC for a ski trip to celebrate our 30th anniversary and was wondering when would be the best time weather wise to plan for a week? We'll be passing through Calgary for sure to visit some family so we're likely to visit Sunshine, Lake Louise and Kicking Horse. We're open to travelling to other areas as well (Revelstoke?)

I seem to remember lots of late snow out West in El Nino years - powder would be nice but just decent conditions and coverage would do!

Adam
 
Banff/Lake Louise are best in late season (March/April) anyway. That advice applies even more in El Nino when most Western Canada snowfall averages 85% of normal and accumulation is more gradual. Last year was coincidentally an 80-85% season, so March 2009 is probably a good estimate for expectations next year. Kicking Horse gets somewhat more snow, but still resembles Banff/LL in most respects.

Revelstoke and Fernie get much more snow but have a lot of sun exposure. February is the best bet at those places.

Those who are picky about conditions may want to avoid committing to any of these places until snow is on the ground in an El Nino season. I would certainly avoid committing to Christmas week or any earlier.
 
Thanks for the information. Looks like I'll set the target date for late March. (Way too cheap to pay Christmas rates anyway.) This gives me two months of planning time before the Toronto Ski Show, where I'm likely to book the trip.
 
Toronto Ski Show, where I'm likely to book the trip.
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Banff/Lake Louise get far more summer than winter tourism. Thus it's unlikely that it would be necessary to book a trip as early as the fall ski shows. Why not wait until January to see that there is a reasonable amount of snow on the ground? The worst of El Nino years (1993, 1998) are very rocky and best avoided completely.
 
If we were doing our usual driving trips to the eastern US I would wait till after Christmas to book. It's a trade off - I'll get decent pricing on "ski show specials" and will be able to plan the extended family visits well in advance, but I take the chance on snow. The good thing is being an eastern skier who's gotten used to occasionally skiing right after a thaw/freeze cycle, chances are I've skied on worse! Snow conditions are also a supporting reason why I'm planning to "ski around" rather than sticking at one place for a full week.

I may still take advantage of last minute deals for a day of cat skiing or an extra day of ski & stay. Unfortunately air travel means I also limit my flexability versus a driving trip. I'm hoping that as it gets closer to ski season I'll be able to get a much better picture online of what deals are available in Banff as far as accomodation. I've been spoiled with driving trips where I can set New Hampshire as a destination and then tack on stops at resorts in Vermont or upstate NY on either my way there or home. (ie. out via Burke Sunday afternoon for $18/pp or home via Okemo April 1st for 3 non-perishable food items/pp)
 
All resort operators try to scare people into booking as early as possible in the fall. Don't believe a word of it, especially with the current economy. Winter isn't exactly the peak season for the airlines either. Good deals for March will still be there in January, with the possible exception of weekend air travel during the eastern Canada spring breaks.

gotten used to occasionally skiing right after a thaw/freeze cycle, chances are I've skied on worse!
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Those were bargain trips, as specifically noted. The bar should be set higher when you're paying airfare and other higher costs. With the current state of the economy I think it's very safe to wait until January to book late season 2010 trips. Then you can go where the most snow has fallen so far. You may not get powder but you'll get big mountains with everything covered and open.
 
I think you're right regarding the current economy - I've already received an e-mail from Winter Park about getting a 3rd day free on a 3 day booking. It looks to be shaping up as a buyers market for ski resort travel this winter.

You've certainly given me some things to ponder.

Thanks,

Adam
 
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