Best of Ski Canada

Two full weeks of world-class skiing may have spoiled me rotten, but I’m still enough of a discerning traveler to have picked my favorites. Bear in mind, Canada is a huge place and my ski tracks only dilly-dallied across a tiny corner of it, but for what it’s worth, here’s what I liked best:

Skiing

• Best snow: Fernie
• Best view: Lake Louise (Banff National Park)
• Coldest day: Lake Louise ( – 18°C )
• Warmest day: Whistler (+4°C)
• Longest continuous runs: Peak2Creek (Whistler) and Banff Avenue (Sunshine Village)
• Most insane vertical: Delirium Dive (Sunshine Village) and The Couloir (Whistler)
• Favorite ski runs:

Sun Peaks: Mid-Life Crisis
Sunshine Village: Tincan Alley
Lake Louise: Wiwaxy, Home Run
Fernie: Currie Bowl, Polar Peak
Whistler: Highway 86; Harmony Ridge
Blackcomb: Blackcomb Glacier

Equipment

• Best Ski Shop: Jardine’s, Sun Peaks Resort
• Favorite skis: Salomon Enduro RX 800
• Favorite ski boots: Salomon Impact 100 CS
• Favorite chairlift: Sunburst Express, Sun Peaks Resort
• Best gloves for tweeting whilst skiing: OR fleece fingerless glove/mitten combo

Wintersports

• Most peaceful: Snowshoeing, Lake Louise
• Most romantic: moonlit, horse-drawn sleigh ride, Lake Louise
• Most fun: dogsledding
• Biggest adrenalin rush: Skeleton Slide, Whistler Sliding Centre

Après-Ski

• Craziest bar scene: The Griz Bar, Fernie
• Most likely to run into celebrity snowboarder at: GLC, Whistler
• Best hot tub: Sunshine Mountain Lodge, Banff
• Best spa treatment: hot stone massage, Sun Peaks Spa

Eating & Drinking

• Best hot chocolate: Gold Lounge, Fairmont Chateau, Whistler
• Best fondue: Walliser Stube, The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
• Best s’mores, Globe Cafe, Sun Peaks
• Best sushi: Sushi Village, Whistler
• Best cocktails: Alta Bistro, Whistler
• Best wine cellar: Bearfoot Bistro
• Best chocolate: The Beanpod, Fernie
• Best restaurant: Araxi, Whistler

Thanks again to the many friends who helped me on my journey through Alberta and British Columbia! I had such an amazing time and will never forget you or your mountains!