Banff Holiday
Winter sport enthusiasts on a mission to find first class snow holiday coupled with first class accomodation need not look further than the world famous resort of Banff.
Winter sport enthusiasts on a mission to find first class snow holiday coupled with first class accomodation need not look further than the world famous resort of Banff. Situated in the prime position of Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, the resort offers world class pistes, breathtaking scenery and lively nightlife - all you need in fact to indulge your hedonistic instincts, not to mention your bank balance.
The ski areas around Banff are renowned for pandering to the whims of skiers and snowboards who want to mix and match groomed sweeping slopes with deep powder snow off-piste. Holiday makers who are a bit wobbly on their skis or those looking for a family experience should head to the recently revamped Norquay to take advantage of its 25 tree sheltered runs.
But if you want something special then you've got to head to Lake Louise, the 'Big One' of Canadian skiing. With over 11 square miles of ski-able terrain spread across four mountain faces, the unlimited possibilities of the area are enough to make even the most experienced of snow enthusiasts start to dribble.
But novices don't have to sit on the sidelines here - there are plenty of green runs to perfect your technique before joining the ranks of the off-piste fanatics. Boarders will also be in their element in the Showtime Terrain Park offering tables and rails for all abilities as well as a quarter and a super pipe.
Adventure-seekers with large wads of cash to spare would be mad to miss the opportunity to try their hand at heli-skiing. A day on virgin snow with little more than the wind whistling in your ear for company will set you back a good few hundred pounds but it's rare that you hear those adventurous souls complaining about their experiences in the bar afterwards.
Those with an aversion to vertical slopes could always give cross-country-skiing a shot. Or there's the snowmobiling option - those looking for new ways to get their daily adrenaline fix can glide through the glistening snow before hurtling off a mini cliff à la James Bond.
And once the hunger pangs start to kick in then it's time to head to one of the many restaurants offering international cuisine or simply munch away in one of the numerous delis. Those with aching muscles should allow themselves an hour or two of pure decadence in one of the spas, a real treat when on holiday here.
Shop-a-holics will be able to exercise their credit cards in the eclectic range of boutiques and outlets along Bear Street and Banff Avenue, before whiling away the hours of darkness with a few drinks in one of the bustling nightclubs.
Banff is very much a commercial kind of place catering to the demands of the hoards of tourists on holiday who arrive, ski, eat, sleep and leave but if you're looking for something a bit more authentic you can always console yourself with a stuffed moose from the souvenir shop.
