whistler or banff?

Question

trying to decide on which resort for sking holiday
looking forward to seeing canada, but will be first time sking so want to make sure the resort is right, banff is cheaper so would be prefered but is there enough to do of the slopes or should i pay the extra and go to the larger resort of whistler

Answer 1

Both are great. Whistler has two resorts right next to each other with lots of terrain at both, much like Snowbird/Alta. You won't really need a car when you get there. And the village at the bottom has a great nightlife, good restaurants and bars like Aspen. Banff is cheaper and the scenery is beautiful. But the resorts are much more spread out, like you find at Lake Tahoe. You'll drive a good distance to get around to the various places.

You should also take into account the time of year you are going. Whistler is a very low elevation resort near the coast, so the winter doesn't last as long. The snow arrives later and becomes very wet on the bottom half of the mountain in late March, early April. Banff has a much longer season, being inland and at a higher elevation, but can be bitterly cold in the middle part of the winter.

My personal preference is Whistler. But I would make sure you go between Christmas and mid March. I'd stay away from Banff in January/February unless you're willing to risk sub-zero skiing. But early or late season, you'll have a much better chance of good snow in Banff.

Answer 2

Previous answers give good information -- if you are a new skier who also seems to be interested in off-slope activities then Banff might be better (Whistler does have more challenging slopes but many would be beyond a beginner). There are a lot of shops, restaurants, bars, a book store and several cool museums in the town of Banff, also hiking trails that follow the Bow River and a hot spring spa up on Sulphur Mountain outside of town. Sounds like you've already looked at accommodations -- check out the YWCA's hotel and hostel (Google "Banff YWCA") --it's really inexpensive, has nice rooms (like a double with private bath for less than $60/night), a cafe and you can walk anywhere in town from there. Great place for a younger person -- you can even stay in dorm-type bunks if you really want to save $$ -- then you could afford to go to both! Maybe start at Banff and then, once you've had a few days practicing, move on to Whistler for the challenge.

One tip: remember that US citizens now need a passport to visit Canada (not to get in, but to get back to the US). It is now taking from 4 to 6 months to get a new passport -- you have to pay more to get it faster.

Answer 3

If you dont mind going down the same runs over and over again, then yeah, there are enough things to do at Banff. The ski resort at Banff only has 28 runs total (only 9 are for beginners)

I would rather go to Whistler because there are more beginner runs (some of them are kind of long) and there are more things to do there. I think paying extra for Whistler is worth it given the amount of runs and activities they have....

btw, I saw Whistler-Blackcomb on a top places to ski list recently (forgot where though) I'm pretty sure it was #1 on the list

Answer 4

Both are great I've been to both. Whistler is a bit more tacky and commercialised as you would expect thats why it is dearer. So it depends on what your after. Could you split your time and visit both. Banff is a must see cos its beautiful and unspoilt - will give you a taste of real Canada. The scenery is just amazing. Your money will go much further here. There are restaurants, bars and clubs in Banff but they are less aimed at the tourist and more aimed at the local. So its just as good. Personally I would go to Banff and spend a few days in Whistler. Enjoy

Answer 5

depends what your into. If you enjoy scenery more than riding hard then go to banff. If you like Powder and tons of terrain pf all kinds go to whistler.

They are both good though. Id go to both personally. Whistler generally gets way more snow so the chances of getting some powder skiing are about 5 times more likely. In banff sometimes it wont snow for two months at a time. Very dry area.

Answer 6

I haven't been to either but have a friend who has, she used to live in America and used to ski at Banff all the time and even when she returned to the UK to live went every year back to Banff to ski. She said it is fabulous and not as commercial as Whistler. Wherever you go have a great time!

Answer 7

Since you're from Vancovuer you can always go to Whistler. I'd go to Banff just to experience something new.

Answer 8

whistler has some slopes but its not grate 4 much else. Banff (one of my favourite cities) has better slopes and there is so much 2 do as well. go 2 banff springs and sullfer mountain it is so cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 9

I think you should go to Samoa. It will be much warmer.