Calling all Canadians...
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In my quest for more physical activities, I am for the first time, at the ripe old age of 30 going snowboarding in Banff at the end of March. So here's the question....how cheap is it to pick up skiing gear in Canada? i.e. in Canadian dollars - then I can convert to £/GBP to see if I get a deal. And I'm not taking a laptop with me either ;) just money for :beer: :-D Regards Barry
Hey Barry, buying in Banff will definitely be more expensive, here is a link to a place in Banff: http://www.mountainmagic.com[^] And here is a link to a place with a store in Calgary that in theory will have the best price available as they are a co-op and are quite popular here in Canada (almost a religious fervor about them at times!) They are quite huge and run on a not-for profit basis (supposedly) I've never shopped there but know a great many people who do (at least in Vancouver): http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp[^] Between those two you will get exactly an idea of what to buy, how much it will cost between buying in Banff versus in Calgary etc. My guess is you will find that the prices "on the mountain" are going to be much higher, but there probably is the added benefit that since your there anyway, you can walk into the place if there is any problems so maybe more peace of mind. Cheers!
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In my quest for more physical activities, I am for the first time, at the ripe old age of 30 going snowboarding in Banff at the end of March. So here's the question....how cheap is it to pick up skiing gear in Canada? i.e. in Canadian dollars - then I can convert to £/GBP to see if I get a deal. And I'm not taking a laptop with me either ;) just money for :beer: :-D Regards Barry
Barry Lapthorn wrote: snowboarding in Banff at the end of March Why Banff ?!?! Horrible place ! Been there, will never go back unless I'm filthy rich and staying at the small "Lake Louise" village. There's no on-hill accomodations, you either drive or take free shuttles from Banff to either Lake Louise, Sunshine or Norquay. The drive is about 45 minutes; think about it ... over heated busses in the morning, over heated and stinking damp when coming back ... can't lounge at the lodge ... you NEED to get back to Banff, there aint no shuttle in the evening ! So, you have to go into Banff ... and fight over nice places to eat! or pay extravagant prices for better food ! ( You'll have to bring a dressed jacket if you want to eat at Chateau Lake Louise or Banff Spring Hotel ). Go to Big White BC ... smaller, friendlier, great snow, on-hill village ... ( see the pictures[^] of me there last year ! ) Oh, you want to buy stuff ?!!?! not really cheaper! at Banff is a resort town, so, they rip you off! I don't have skis, I used to drag them around when going skiing! large, heavy, non practical thing to carry around! now, I rent them, I rent high-end skis, I can change skis during the stay, try different brands and types! The only thing I buy are boots, and I don't buy them at the resorts, I go to a city store, spend some time there, you NEED to spend some time trying boots! even take a half-day off ( if you can ) during the week to shop without the crowd. Max.
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In my quest for more physical activities, I am for the first time, at the ripe old age of 30 going snowboarding in Banff at the end of March. So here's the question....how cheap is it to pick up skiing gear in Canada? i.e. in Canadian dollars - then I can convert to £/GBP to see if I get a deal. And I'm not taking a laptop with me either ;) just money for :beer: :-D Regards Barry
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Hey Barry, buying in Banff will definitely be more expensive, here is a link to a place in Banff: http://www.mountainmagic.com[^] And here is a link to a place with a store in Calgary that in theory will have the best price available as they are a co-op and are quite popular here in Canada (almost a religious fervor about them at times!) They are quite huge and run on a not-for profit basis (supposedly) I've never shopped there but know a great many people who do (at least in Vancouver): http://www.mec.ca/Main/home.jsp[^] Between those two you will get exactly an idea of what to buy, how much it will cost between buying in Banff versus in Calgary etc. My guess is you will find that the prices "on the mountain" are going to be much higher, but there probably is the added benefit that since your there anyway, you can walk into the place if there is any problems so maybe more peace of mind. Cheers!
Hi 'J' ;) Thanks, I'll start comparing prices. I reckon I'll get some stuff over here once I've checked the prices and some stuff in Canada. :) Then I'll try not to fall off my board too much :-D Regards Barry
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In my quest for more physical activities, I am for the first time, at the ripe old age of 30 going snowboarding in Banff at the end of March. So here's the question....how cheap is it to pick up skiing gear in Canada? i.e. in Canadian dollars - then I can convert to £/GBP to see if I get a deal. And I'm not taking a laptop with me either ;) just money for :beer: :-D Regards Barry
Banff? End of March? Lemme know the dates - I may be there. cheers, Chris Maunder
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Barry Lapthorn wrote: snowboarding in Banff at the end of March Why Banff ?!?! Horrible place ! Been there, will never go back unless I'm filthy rich and staying at the small "Lake Louise" village. There's no on-hill accomodations, you either drive or take free shuttles from Banff to either Lake Louise, Sunshine or Norquay. The drive is about 45 minutes; think about it ... over heated busses in the morning, over heated and stinking damp when coming back ... can't lounge at the lodge ... you NEED to get back to Banff, there aint no shuttle in the evening ! So, you have to go into Banff ... and fight over nice places to eat! or pay extravagant prices for better food ! ( You'll have to bring a dressed jacket if you want to eat at Chateau Lake Louise or Banff Spring Hotel ). Go to Big White BC ... smaller, friendlier, great snow, on-hill village ... ( see the pictures[^] of me there last year ! ) Oh, you want to buy stuff ?!!?! not really cheaper! at Banff is a resort town, so, they rip you off! I don't have skis, I used to drag them around when going skiing! large, heavy, non practical thing to carry around! now, I rent them, I rent high-end skis, I can change skis during the stay, try different brands and types! The only thing I buy are boots, and I don't buy them at the resorts, I go to a city store, spend some time there, you NEED to spend some time trying boots! even take a half-day off ( if you can ) during the week to shop without the crowd. Max.
Hi Max, We're hiring a car, so I'm not too worried about the buses ;) Maximilien wrote: Oh, you want to buy stuff ?!!?! To compare prices ;) We have a couple of huge sport shops in London that are reasonable, and I need to compare prices as we get a favourable exchange rate. :-D Maximilien wrote: Go to Big White BC ... smaller, friendlier, great snow, on-hill village ... Maybe next year :) provided I enjoy it of course!! :) Regards Barry
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Banff? End of March? Lemme know the dates - I may be there. cheers, Chris Maunder
28 Mar - 6 Apr I think. I'll look for the Bob shaped blur going past me.. :) Regards Barry
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28 Mar - 6 Apr I think. I'll look for the Bob shaped blur going past me.. :) Regards Barry
Barry Lapthorn wrote: I'll look for the Bob shaped blur going past me ...trying not to spill his beer in the bar... :D cheers, Chris Maunder
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Barry Lapthorn wrote: snowboarding in Banff at the end of March Why Banff ?!?! Horrible place ! Been there, will never go back unless I'm filthy rich and staying at the small "Lake Louise" village. There's no on-hill accomodations, you either drive or take free shuttles from Banff to either Lake Louise, Sunshine or Norquay. The drive is about 45 minutes; think about it ... over heated busses in the morning, over heated and stinking damp when coming back ... can't lounge at the lodge ... you NEED to get back to Banff, there aint no shuttle in the evening ! So, you have to go into Banff ... and fight over nice places to eat! or pay extravagant prices for better food ! ( You'll have to bring a dressed jacket if you want to eat at Chateau Lake Louise or Banff Spring Hotel ). Go to Big White BC ... smaller, friendlier, great snow, on-hill village ... ( see the pictures[^] of me there last year ! ) Oh, you want to buy stuff ?!!?! not really cheaper! at Banff is a resort town, so, they rip you off! I don't have skis, I used to drag them around when going skiing! large, heavy, non practical thing to carry around! now, I rent them, I rent high-end skis, I can change skis during the stay, try different brands and types! The only thing I buy are boots, and I don't buy them at the resorts, I go to a city store, spend some time there, you NEED to spend some time trying boots! even take a half-day off ( if you can ) during the week to shop without the crowd. Max.
Maximilien wrote: "Lake Louise" village. Been there - drove on past. Moraine Lake is far nicer! "My child was Inmate of the Month at Mohave County Jail" - Bumper Sticker in Bullhead City, AZ
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Barry Lapthorn wrote: I'll look for the Bob shaped blur going past me ...trying not to spill his beer in the bar... :D cheers, Chris Maunder
Chris Maunder wrote: ...trying not to spill his beer in the bar... Bob, Barry, or you? :omg:
Nick Parker
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In my quest for more physical activities, I am for the first time, at the ripe old age of 30 going snowboarding in Banff at the end of March. So here's the question....how cheap is it to pick up skiing gear in Canada? i.e. in Canadian dollars - then I can convert to £/GBP to see if I get a deal. And I'm not taking a laptop with me either ;) just money for :beer: :-D Regards Barry
Okay I live in Calgary, and yeah depending when you go Banff is pretty touristy.. Lake Louise is about the furthest away hill you can go to from Banff. We've also got Sunshine (which is pretty decent) that's a lot closer to Banff.. There are some good places in Banff to eat, but yeah since it IS a tourist town, expect to pay a little bit extra.. As Borusa always said, There's nothing more useless than a lock with a voice print.
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Okay I live in Calgary, and yeah depending when you go Banff is pretty touristy.. Lake Louise is about the furthest away hill you can go to from Banff. We've also got Sunshine (which is pretty decent) that's a lot closer to Banff.. There are some good places in Banff to eat, but yeah since it IS a tourist town, expect to pay a little bit extra.. As Borusa always said, There's nothing more useless than a lock with a voice print.
Erik Yuzwa wrote: There are some good places in Banff to eat, but yeah since it IS a tourist town, expect to pay a little bit extra.. Can't possibly be as bad as London.... :-D Regards Barry