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Best park/ powder skiing in canada?

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zacgcb
Posts: 89 - Karma: 960
me and my mate are thinking of doing a gap year to canada next year but we’re not sure where to go. we’re both heavy park skiiers but coming from new zealand, a decent bit of pow and overall ski community and culture would be great as this is rather lacking over here especially in the north island. We were thinking about going banff but where do you guys think would be a good place to reside. Also we’re pretty set on canada as we can get working visas there unlike the US but this may be subject to change. Those who have skied in canada, where do you think the best place to spent the winter season is?
Jul 27 2021 10:22PM
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Young_patty
Posts: 3290 - Karma: 38,146
I’ve heard Whistler is pretty aight.
Jul 27 2021 10:37PM
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Mackaroni_space
Posts: 1765 - Karma: 24,133
Dylan Siggers makes Fernie look super appealing
Jul 27 2021 10:48PM
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zacgcb
Posts: 89 - Karma: 960
yeah but apparently snows not as good as other places in canada
Young_pattyI’ve heard Whistler is pretty aight.
Jul 27 2021 10:50PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12521 - Karma: 116,360
Blue mountain, Ontario
Jul 27 2021 11:49PM
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chills__
Posts: 276 - Karma: 3,206
Max.broDylan Siggers makes Fernie look super appealing


Pretty sure Fernie only has a rail park but when the snow is good it doesn't matter.

And OP, banff is a good option because every single person who lives there is a ski bum so definitely a good community there. Norquay is super close (10 mins) and fun park but nothing too crazy, the rest of the terrain is meh. Sunshine is like 30 mins on the shuttle and has a great mix of park and good terrain, just gotta wait for the good pow days as they don't happen every week. And Lake Louise is about 30 mins after sunshine and my favorite for park and all mountain, definitely worth the drive.

Otherwise in BC you have Revelstoke, Whistler obviously and Sun Peaks near Kamloops. Can't go wrong with any of them honestly, just do some research and figure out what kind of vibe you want to live in for a while
Jul 27 2021 11:49PM
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Slowbro
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 21,760
Max.broDylan Siggers makes Fernie look super appealing


Fernie has amazing terrain, lots of snow, and tons of stuff to jump off of so you don't really need a park. The park is shite though.

I agree with the dude that said Sunshine, top tier hill on a pow day and an absurd amount of rails in the park. Some of the setups can be pretty swervy and weird, but they always have the classics (dfd, long down rail, cannon etc.) too.
Jul 28 2021 12:45AM
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zacgcb
Posts: 89 - Karma: 960
i enjoy rails but personally more of a jump enjoyer so good jump setup/ soft snow to send into is top priority but a decent rail setup is definitely important
SlowbroFernie has amazing terrain, lots of snow, and tons of stuff to jump off of so you don't really need a park. The park is shite though.

I agree with the dude that said Sunshine, top tier hill on a pow day and an absurd amount of rails in the park. Some of the setups can be pretty swervy and weird, but they always have the classics (dfd, long down rail, cannon etc.) too.
Jul 28 2021 12:48AM
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Christian_Bale
Posts: 1989 - Karma: 22,233
zacgcbyeah but apparently snows not as good as other places in canada

I think the main problem is how busy it gets on pow days. Also idk if it's more expensive than other canadian ski towns but it's pretty damn expensive to live there
Jul 28 2021 3:06AM
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sullivano*b
Posts: 1233 - Karma: 8,127
do NOT listen to me but big white looks like really really good snow, but i'm from the east coast so anything over 6" looks really good usually
Jul 28 2021 8:57AM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 24,040
TRVP_ANGELBlue mountain, Ontario


I second this, best snow in Canada, and its such a caring and lovely community
Jul 28 2021 9:50AM
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corona
Posts: 12804 - Karma: 32,822
SendyMcSendyfaceI second this, best snow in Canada, and its such a caring and lovely community


And it's definitely off the radar for Toronto weekend warriors. Never any crowds.
Jul 28 2021 10:43AM
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dognutz
Posts: 2320 - Karma: 30,204
if you want multiple hills close together then come to banff area (sunshine, norquay, lake louise, nakiska)

if you are only looking to hang at one hill then go to bc or castle
Jul 28 2021 11:25AM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
zacgcbyeah but apparently snows not as good as other places in canada

Whistler is for sure the best bet in Canada for park and pow skiing. The terrain is awesome there and the parks are the best you will find.

I first lived in Banff and yeah the snow is colder but it just does not come in the same quantity. BC is hard to beat in that regard. Whistler gives the best combo for big mountain stuff and park for sure.

But its busy but that does mean there are loads of jobs. But it being busy does mean finding accommodation is harder, but if you work for the mountain they will give you housing. Be a rental tech in my opinion.
Jul 28 2021 11:43AM
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TroyBallsack
Posts: 585 - Karma: 11,317
TRVP_ANGELBlue mountain, Ontario

Blue mountain is too small, you should go to mount pakenham ontario instead where the vertical elevation is 280 ft.
Jul 28 2021 12:20PM
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gravel
Posts: 5520 - Karma: 42,295
sunshine village!
Jul 28 2021 12:43PM
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twinkle_toes
Posts: 812 - Karma: 9,665
Whistler would be sick.

But also be prepared to fight tooth and nail to land some housing. Unless you wanna pay $1200/month for top bunk in someone's attic lol

Sun peaks would be decent too, they have a t-bar that runs in evenings next to a small park so you can still run night laps.

I've also heard Sunshine is dope, their park was open til May 24th this year
Jul 28 2021 1:15PM
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Oldmanripper
Posts: 82 - Karma: 469
Red.
Jul 28 2021 1:51PM
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Celery
Posts: 2028 - Karma: 25,021
I'll be in Banff next winter for a gap year, hmu if you end up going there.
Jul 28 2021 3:12PM
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donotreply
Posts: 256 - Karma: 2,232
Im little biaised but Whistler is definitely top tier but you’ll always have a good while there and obviously closer to Vancouver Grouse always had its reputation for it’s park but I think seymour id underrated the park is the one where I think I can get the most creative in idk it’s just a good time there and people re the best on that mountain That’s for park but for powder red mtn

**This post was edited on Jul 28th 2021 at 3:49:49pm

**This post was edited on Jul 28th 2021 at 3:51:06pm

**This post was edited on Jul 28th 2021 at 3:52:26pm
Jul 28 2021 3:48PM
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SendyMcSendyface
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 24,040
twinkle_toesWhistler would be sick.

But also be prepared to fight tooth and nail to land some housing. Unless you wanna pay $1200/month for top bunk in someone's attic lol

Sun peaks would be decent too, they have a t-bar that runs in evenings next to a small park so you can still run night laps.

I've also heard Sunshine is dope, their park was open til May 24th this year


Holy shit, did not know sun peaks runs a night park...gonna be ripping after school laps all week!
Jul 28 2021 4:48PM
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twinkle_toes
Posts: 812 - Karma: 9,665
SendyMcSendyfaceHoly shit, did not know sun peaks runs a night park...gonna be ripping after school laps all week!


Yea the t-bar is kinda short, and doesn't run every night of the week..... but honestly it's better than nothing ! I'd be stoked.
I'm not a crusty ol' sun peaks local so I could be wrong, but they should have some basic rails setup at the very least..

& that top to bottom park on one of the chairs is fire (open during normal hours)
Jul 28 2021 7:06PM
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toe-bang-gang
Posts: 208 - Karma: 1,271
i’d say either red or fernie, whis is a pain in the ass to find housing in especially during the winter months
Jul 28 2021 8:42PM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4163 - Karma: 23,610
TRVP_ANGELBlue mountain, Ontario


Park is mid, but the powder is on another level 🤯🤯🤯
Jul 28 2021 10:35PM
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soup
Posts: 6345 - Karma: 4,442
If your 18-25, go to Banff and be ready to crush more tail than skiing. It's a magical place of debauchery and marginal skiing. Where the beer flows like wine!
Jul 28 2021 10:51PM
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disappointmett
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,488
Banff has Shine, Norquay and Lake. All pretty great hills but definitely busy as all hell.

Fernie is great just not a great park, same with Revy

Red mountain is incredible and close to the boarder so you can dip into Washington pretty easily
Jul 28 2021 11:21PM
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Cream_Sauce
Posts: 482 - Karma: 1,562
Go to Revelstoke and never look back
Jul 29 2021 1:04AM
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zacgcb
Posts: 89 - Karma: 960
yeah i think this sounds like us
soupIf your 18-25, go to Banff and be ready to crush more tail than skiing. It's a magical place of debauchery and marginal skiing. Where the beer flows like wine!
Jul 29 2021 3:47AM
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soup
Posts: 6345 - Karma: 4,442
zacgcbyeah i think this sounds like us


Get a job at a busy bar in Banff so you can meet all the hot chicks, don't work at the hill you'll end up sleeping with the same 6 girls all winter. Work at the bar, party, sleep with sexy little french girls, and hey, sometimes you'll end up at the ski hill and they aren't too bad when it's not cold. It's magical. Live in Banff too don't live in Canmore. You'll find a place don't listen to people who say it's hard, or blah blah can't find a house blah. You'll find one just put it out in the ether and have a solid winter.
Jul 29 2021 9:29AM
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CalumSKI
Posts: 4163 - Karma: 23,610
zacgcbyeah i think this sounds like us


I’ll be there for school so hmu if u wanna link up
Jul 29 2021 5:22PM
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