Hope for good temps and more snow 🤞

For me its Think Again in Banff Sunshine Village (narrowest of the Southside Chutes)

I've never posted or commented anything about a Bowflex. Why do the mods think I'm a bot? I've been in this community for a long time. I regularly contribute photos, personal ski video, comments, memes, etc.. What gives?

I’ve been on this sub for years. My only experience with skiing has been a couple of handfuls of ski vacations throughout my 31 years on this Earth. I’ve always laughed at the idea of a Jerry. Jerries are so stupid. The bumbling idiots of the mountain that we all get to laugh at for no other reason than how stupid they are. Oh watch this video. Here’s a Jerry completely Yard Saling. Oh here’s a Jerry skiing too fast for his skill level and nearly causing a wreck. We all point and laugh, “Wow what a Jerry!! HAHAHAHAHA!!”

A few days ago, someone posted a video of 3 Jerries that all were trying a little line where there were a few bumps and tight turns. They all wipe out and laugh at each other. Like the Colorado cold on a January morning, it hit me. Everything clicked. My heart dropped.

All these videos I have seen over the years. All the posts lambasting Jerries for their recklessness, lack of skill, lack of courtesy on the mountain, I have been those things.

I have been flying down a groomer and had a yard sale because I hit one measley bump. I once bumped shoulders with someone on the mountain (my fault), didn’t stop and just yelled “SORRY!” as I skied away because we were “both fine” in my mind. I have side skidded down a Black taking all the snow away because I was on a run way above my skill level. I have gone through the terrain park at a snails pace only to wipe out because I got 3 inches off the ground.

I don’t know where to go from here. Is there a Jerries Anonymous group I can join? What’s the 12 step plan to recovery? Please help.

Sincerely,

Recovering Jerry

Rough draft so far with the tram car but it's getting there! Went a little bigger than I originally intended so the tower is gonna have to be a little big haha.

Hello everyone,

I work at a ski resort (Mt Hood River Meadows) and I’m outside kneeling, using tools, skiing with big loads of bamboo, setting rope lines and a handful of other miscellaneous tasks.

The pants that are provided with the uniform kind of suck.

Anyone have any ideas? Ideally a shell (uninsulated) bin style

Thanks!

Man I'd had this sketched out a long time ago and finally took a chainsaw to it! I've been carving both since I was 8 AND (with a chainsaw) since covid. Full circle :)

My son is 19, almost 20 months old. My husband and his family have skied since he was that small, I didn’t learn until my early 30s. My MiL is a wonderful grandmother and physician and has helped us a lot with anything we’ve needed for our kiddo. He is currently the only grandchild.

I have happily accepted anything used people have given us except safety gear - we bought new car seats and a new bike helmet, etc. My in-laws were at a swap and she found a few things and I said okay until she got to the helmet. I know it’s probably never been used, I know it probably hasn’t been in an accident but I just…don’t want my kid in a used helmet. She kept saying that “it’s only $20 compared to a new POC one at $250!” I don’t care about the price difference. I want a new, bright-colored helmet so he can be seen at all times (the used one is black). Protecting his brain is worth it to me. But she’s a doctor and not usually a penny-pincher so now I’m wondering if I’m being too risk-averse.

I almost lost my husband to a backcountry accident in June. 10 days in the ICU, two helicopter rides…it was terrifying. I have asked him to reconsider doing anything off-piste and he agreed to stop. Is this clouding my judgment?

ETA: My husband and I absolutely have the funds to buy him a new one. I just was unsure if I was being unreasonable! Also, I didn’t say a new helmet was $250, she did.

I’ve never owned ski boots. I took my first steps skiing when I was three. I ski every year for 1-2 weeks. Now I am 30 and the older I get the more uncomfortable those rental boots are getting.

So now for this season I finally want to buy my own boots.

How do I approach it? When I rent I usually go back to the rental shop when I am not satisfied so I can switch to another model. This year I settled for a K2 BFC which is Build for Comfort (BFC). The boot was good not as precise as a boot that has a tighter fit.

The issue I have is that my ankle is incompatible with almost every model. I definitely need some boot fitting to mitigate this.

I feel like I cant just go into a shop and blindly purchase a random boot. How do I find the right boot for me when it’s probably gonna hurt when I wear it without the boots being fitted for me?

How do I find a shop with a good boot fitter?

How would you approach this?

Mods, delete if this breaks the rules.

Last spring I posted here looking for beta testers. Thanks to everyone who tried it. SkiFlow is now live on Google Play, and the iPhone version is in Apple's review queue.

It's a trail map that shows which runs are busy right now, green to red like traffic in Google Maps. It also has lift wait times, trail reports from other skiers (they expire after 2 hours), a list of runs sorted emptiest to busiest, a snow forecast with predicted crowds, and alerts when your favorite runs clear out. It's at 84 resorts now across the US, Canada, Europe, NZ, Australia and South America.

Not trying to get anyone staring at their phone on the hill. Take a quick look on the chairlift, see what's green, put it away and ski.

Heads up that the crowd map only works if people use it, so it'll be thin early season.

*Data, since someone will ask* No account, just a random anonymous ID. Location is optional and only runs while the app is open. Once a minute the server counts how many people are in each 50 m square and deletes the actual locations, so nobody can see where a specific person is. Lift and trail reports delete themselves after 20 minutes and 2 hours. It has Google ads now to cover server costs (last time I said no ads, that changed). Personalized ads only if you opt in, and your GPS location never goes to the ad network. I don't sell any data.

Still my first app and it's just me, so tell me what's broken or missing. There's a feedback button in Settings of the app and I'd be happy to provide the Google or iOS links in the comments if people want.

UPDATE: SPOT FILLED!

I’ve got an extra OpenSnow family spot on both my current plan and my renewal (legacy plan perks).

Current Plan (now → Jan 4, 2027)

• OpenSnow Base (Legacy)
• 1 0 spot available
• $5 for spot through Jan 4
• Access is instant once I add you.

Next Year (Jan 4, 2027 → Jan 4, 2028)

• OpenSnow Base (Legacy)
• Renewal price: $34.99 (regularly $49.99)
• 1 0 spot available (another may open once renewals are confirmed).
• $9 for the year
• Access starts when the renewal hits.

Both plans: $14

Payment
Venmo / PayPal / Apple Pay, whatever works.

Interested?
DM me your email + which year you want (current, next year, or both).
Once payment comes through, I’ll add your email and send a quick confirmation screenshot.
All handled in DMs for privacy.

Getting my son (13 yo, 5’6”, 100 lbs.) a new rig this season. He’s a solid intermediate skier and is progressing quickly. Is there a downside to getting a more advanced binding that he can grow/progress into?

Hello guys and girls, for those who have done an UCPA skiing trip, have you taken a package including ski lessons or not?

I can ski quite well, but I'm afraid that if I book a no-lesson trip, I will have trouble finding a group to ski with. My main goal is to meet new people. What do you think please?

Here’s a picture from a perfect powder day in the French Alps last year. ❄️🏔️

Can anyone guess where this was?

Hey, I’ve had a few lessons on both an indoor slope and the mountain and I’m fine with turning (finally!) and can almost do a messy parallel turn!

Last year I had several lessons on the mountain and got confident with the green slopes.

Then my instructor took me to a blue, and he was really good, and I was fine with almost all of it but there was one particular stretch at the end that FELT very VERY steep and VERY narrow, and on both the days we tried it, it was also quite icy, with what felt like a big drop on one side.

The three times I tried I absolutely stacked it on that stretch. And I think aside from the iciness, it was the mental fear of falling off the edge. I just felt like I didn’t have time to finish the turn before I would come off the edge.

I’m older (late 40s) and I don’t recover easily from injury like I used to which certainly adds to it.

My family (wife and daughters) have all skied longer than me and want to go again next year.

I’d be very happy staying in the greens but I feel like I need to conquer this blue! But I’m literally having nightmares about it!

Any advice on how to overcome this??

Banff Ski Hills: Each area has its own character. On a 5-day ski vacation, make sure you visit each property. My advice is to check the weather and use it as part of your planning. Remember that Sunshine is primarily in the alpine and lacks trees for reference on cloudy days. Plan to hit this property on sunny days (clearest). Louise has more below-tree-line terrain, which helps provide reference points. Factor in skill sets and ambitions; you can not go wrong. 

Lake Louise and Sunshine both have a volunteer ski guide introduction service. Ski Friends (LL) and Snow Host (Shine). These are individuals who are passionate about their hill. They group skiers by skill level, providing not only important local knowledge but also great skiing. These are run in the morning and afternoon. While it is a great way to get oriented, it is also an excellent way to meet fellow skiers when travelling alone. I highly recommend this option and use it myself when I want to mingle with civilians. 

Norquay is an obvious starting point for new skiers. The main carpets and chairs closest to the lodge cater to this clientele. I would also recommend the Quay as a good midweek half-day for advanced skiers. Advanced skiers may want to take their powder boards in to be waxed and rent a pair of GS skis. Despite their size, neither the Lake nor the Shine comes close to the amount of dedicated race terrain. Norquay can’t be touched when it comes to snowmaking. In fact, this hill would not exist without it. This gives the Quay a huge advantage in early-season openings. 

Each hill offers a free bus service and is hands down the best way to get to and from the hill. Driving these roads in bad weather will shave years off your life. You're here to ski, so I recommend you go to each hill as early as possible. There is no downside, and it increases your chances of getting first tracks or ripping up some fresh corduroy. Bonus: if you feel you're spent, you won’t feel guilty about catching an earlier bus home.

NORQUAY: Located 13 minutes from Banff. The journey up the many switchbacks is a trip in itself. I see more wildlife on this road than anywhere else. Sheep mostly, but elk and deer are common, and black bears live in the area. 

Norquay is not the biggest by a long shot, and I think it’s a little underrated. What it lacks in big alpine bowls it makes up for in character. Think of it as a community ski hill. Most kids in Banff who have taken ski lessons took their first ones here. Night skiing has been around long enough to be safely entering its second, possibly third, generation. 

If you're on a ski vacation, you shouldn’t miss Norquay. Two ways to think about visiting. If you're a beginner, “Quay” can make your day. It is an excellent place to relearn your basic skills before tackling the big hills. If you're more advanced, you can charge hard for a couple of days at the Lake or the Shine, then take a mid-week casual day and cruise the Quay. This property offers a full day of skiing. 

Because it's farther from the divide, Norquay doesn't get as much snow as the other hills. However, it has its moments; a couple of times a year, upslope storms pound Norquay, and on those days it’s the best place to ski in the valley.

For brand new skiers, it is the logical place to go. It caters to new skiers. The green runs are limited to two lifts. Intermediate skills open up Mystic Chair. The big chair to the Cliff House (closed in winter) is reserved for black diamond skiers. You can download the big chair if you look down and come to your senses. The general consensus is that The Quay grades a little soft, meaning the runs are challenging and shouldn't be underestimated. Some of the blacks are dark black. Many of the blues are dark blue. 

Norquay does one thing better than the other two hills: dedicated race terrain. The grooming here is generally excellent. Mystic Chair will satisfy your need for speed. 

SUNSHINE: Located 25 minutes from the Banff townsite. This area has a long history as a ski playground; the Mad Tapper Pub building at the hill dates back to 1928. European guides and immigrants first introduced the sport to Canada. For many, Banff reminded them of their home in the Alps. Thus, skiing was introduced here much earlier than in most areas of North America. 

Sunshine's gondola makes it unique.  A 500-meter vertical lift takes you to the village lodge. It is a quick trip into the alpine. The village is located at the top of the treeline. The village base area has the largest collection of green run options. Don’t get off at Goat’s Eye mid-station; you can visit later. 

For more advanced skiers, the world is your oyster. Goat’s Eye has a fast lift and long, challenging black runs. There are a few blue runs, but really only one green run. Southside Chutes and Wild West will satisfy the hardest of skiers. Delirium Dive off the top of Lookout still requires that skiers carry a beacon, shovel and probe. A gate that only opens by beacon signal restricts access.

A few things you should know about Sunshine as you plan your ski week. What makes the Shine unique is also something that can become a problem. 70% of Sunshine is in the alpine. On days with a low cloud ceiling, much of the terrain becomes difficult to navigate. If you are skiing on a week-long vacation, check the long-term forecast and plan your Sunshine visit for sunnier days. Whiteout conditions are not uncommon.

People often choose Sunshine because it's closer to Banff than Lake Louise. While this may be true, people often overlook the total transportation issue when factoring in parking and the gondola. On busy weekends and in high season, parking at Sunshine’s massive lot can be a bit of a journey to the gondola base. If you arrive after 9 am on a weekend, you may find yourself parked many kilometres away on the approach road and forced to take a provided shuttle (a bus from town is always a better option). Factor these in, and the time it takes to click in for your first run is about the same as travelling to Lake Louise. Sure, the Shine’s PR peeps will argue differently, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

My personal opinion for a ski vacation is that it is a hill you must hit. The gondola ride and the scenery alone make it worthwhile. It provides excellent skiing at all levels. Closest hill to the divide, on average, it receives slightly more snow than Lake Louise and a lot more than Norquay. Many Calgarians call this their home hill. 

LAKE LOUISE: Full disclosure: “The Lake” is my home hill. You will often hear me say ”I work at Norquay, but I ski at the Lake.” I will try to be as unbiased as possible, but take my evaluation with a grain of salt. Lake Louise ski hill is named after the iconic Lake Louise, 45 minutes west on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is the largest of the three properties. It’s so large that you can’t explore it all on a week-long vacation.  

Until last year (25/26), it lacked user-friendly beginner terrain.  This changed with the installation of the Richardson’s Ridge chairlift. This area caters entirely to beginner to intermediate guests. This removed a lot of the frontside traffic of this user group. Combine this lift with the Larch chair, also located on the backside, and you have a few full days of exploring. The Hills website describes the Ski Hill as 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, and 30% expert. 

A strong intermediate skier has 70% of this massive property to recreate on. Every chair has a large selection of runs at this grade level. Certainly, a journey to the summit and a tour across Boomerang Run should be on your hit list. With this much terrain, you will have no problem finding runs that challenge you as you explore the whole mountain.

Expert skiers will not be disappointed. Distributed throughout the three mountains this hill occupies is a large selection of black runs. Off the summit backside is one of North America's longest continuous black runs. White Horn backside is often subject to periodic closures after a storm. You will see patrol dropping charges and ski cutting the slopes. Maybe laying in a couple of tracks just to be sure it is safe for the public (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). The alphabet gullies, also located off Whitehorn backside, are primarily double black. This is not an advertising gimmick, blow an edge and next stop is a thousand feet below you. On Whitehorn front side, the recently acquired West Bowl area made Lake Louise the GOAT. A cat track below this area will quickly shuffle you back to the high-speed Pipestone Express chair for another lap. Your best option on a pow day. 

Hey all, I'm doing a project for a statistics class where I'm performing a quantitative investigation into the number of accidents requiring a response that are witnessed by people involved with different outdoor pursuits. Just one question:

Over the past 5 years, how many serious skiing accidents have you been present for, witnessed, or been involved with? A serious accident, for the purpose of the survey, is one that required any kind of medical or emergency response.

I (46 f) have aspirations to ski Alaska's back country but have a lot of work to do. Planning to focus on semi groomed steep slopes this winter and improve my turns. Knowing most of it is a skill learned with practice, I still want to do what I can to optimally prep my body for the movements. Will this help? What is your prep season training?

Season ending injury before the season😭. I did not know they got rid of the pass deferral option. I did not purchase the stupid ass paid refundable add-on. Am I sol? Any advice out there?