Skiing Canada
April 2004

It was the second time in my life: Skiing. For many is it a long-preserved dream, once in a lifetime skiing in the Canadian Rockies. Sascha and I fulfilled this dream right at the beginning of our ski-driver career. And it was actually something completely special.
We started in Paderborn. and had to laugh about an obviously american tourist, who sat in a Mazda RX-8-shirt in the plane and made a strange stretching-program after landing in Frankfurt, thus after not more than 45 minutes of flight-time. The destination was called Calgary. Arrived, we drove with the Banff Airporter straight into the heart of the Rockies, to Banff. We had lots of sun. In the first days, the thermometer the rose to nearly 20°C, which made bad skiing conditions and so we had ro drink several pitcher's of Canadian in the extended lunch-break. In sun and T-Shirt no problem.
Back to the skiing. The runs in the Rockies were really empty. Compared with the alps there was even nothing also on weekends. At the chairs we had to wait a maximum of one minute. And in addition the people behaved very respectfully with one another, simply relaxing. On the runs you had much, much space. You could also ski from the run to the forrest and back, no one cared. If there were no runs, you even made one, no problem.
On the first three days we discovered the three ski areas our ski-pass was for. The closest was Mount Norquay. It is very convenient however also only 2.000m high, so they close it as first. We participated in the final day of the season and enjoyed the sun. We enjoyed the beautiful panorama and the times off the runways with our little transportable liqour-bottle. Just sit down and relax beside the runs. Hold your head in the sun and relax, that makes skiing fun. It seems as nobody in Canada knew the little transportable liqour-bottle yet, so we introduced it. An Australian was completely enthusiastic of our supply. So he tasted the "Himbeergeist" (Rasperry Liqour) and made a wry face; -)
In Sunshine Village were appropriate still 200cm of snow. The ski area inspires by the variety of runs. Many differently heavy runs in a close area. Thus it became our preferential ski area. Besides, here took the Alpine Skiing competetion of the olympic winter 1988 plays. Good were also the different lodges, which invited to a beer-break in lunch time.
The furthest ski area is Lake Louise, but also the highest. It is nearly 3.000m above sea level and gives in addition, the longest runs and the most beautiful view on mountains and lakes.
After the first three sun days we decided to preserve the thighs and went on a round trip. We enjoyed the mountain world of the Rockies and drove first into the Yoho National Park. The Emerald Lake, which is populated in the summer by tourist masses, lay lonely and frozen over there. A wonderful sight. Then we drove the Icefield's Parkway north to the Columbia Icefield. The Peyto Lake was unattainable, because approximately 1,30m snow lay on the way to the observation platform. The view of Bow Lake fascinated and we saw nd heared outgoing avalanches. The Columbia Icefield lay completely abandoned there. Unfortunately the street down was closed for tourists, but we had a wonderful view from distance to this huge glacier. However, great was to take a walk on the frozen Lake Louise.
On the fourth day, snowfall began. Therefore the panoramic view was no not that impressing as on the first days, cause clouds blocked the view now. But real skiing could start now. Sometimes Sascha lost his orientation and pulled out to the black runs and I still remember very good "Ecstasy" - it was awful. A really steep embossment run. In Sunshine Village you can drive downhill the "Delirium Dive", a double-black run, which you can only ski with a second person, an avalanche bleeper and a shovel. Ok, I have to admit, that Ecstasy" is nuts against this. Particularly impressing are the runs in Lake Lousie. On the backside of the mountain was the famous "Powder Snow". Unbelievable and great feeling to ride in almost unaffected nature. But then came a steep hill and Sascha and I failed by the dozen. Skiing in this snow is nothing for beginners, but we had fun.
Sure, Banff was very beautiful. Meanwhile we know each tavern and each shop, nevertheless it became never boring. We had also courage and entered a Korean restaurant at one evening. The waitress had at least the same fun with us, as we had with the food.. But we can say, we did it - korean food! Naturally Apés Ski is not that common in Canada. Only a few people sitting in the lodge at the ski areas, but no one goes downtown for partying. That doesn't mean, that no one celebrated. In the "Rose & Crown" played a live band at one night. On this day we made party until  2.30am and we remember well the song "Moni, Moni" (American will know why).
The Canadian Rockies are a really recommendable ski area. Everybody, from beginner to expert, will find their challenge on the different runs. Anyway, I won't ride them every year. You know the ski areas quite well after ten days, but in a few years I will surely come back.

Arrival in Calgary	At liquor at morning...	Sascha in Sunshine Village
Bevor the first downhill	The panoramic mountains	After first successfull downhill
Clocktower of Banff	Break at Mount Norquay	the freezed Lake Louise
Columbia Icefield	With Dieter and Annika in Wild Bill's	Which is the right way?

Olympic Plaza in Calgary	View from Calgary Tower to the Saddledome

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