{"id":1146,"date":"2021-02-17T14:10:06","date_gmt":"2021-02-17T04:10:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.wordpress.com\/?page_id=1146"},"modified":"2023-12-06T07:23:33","modified_gmt":"2023-12-05T21:23:33","slug":"skiing-the-powder-highway-in-canada","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/skiing-the-powder-highway-in-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"Skiing the \u201cPowder Highway\u201d in Canada."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Powder this, pow pow that, its all a bit \u2018ho hum\u2019 and often misleading when one is pre booking air travels, and has limited time. However I have travelled the highway twice and thoroughly enjoyed it\u2019s imposing beauty, frigid temps and the consistently reliable snow with varied skiing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On my first trip we arrived in \u2018freezing\u2019 Calgary to plugged in parking cars and heated underground shopping malls. Then went anti clockwise \u201cSnob Hopping\u201d in the best hotels in Canada. Including the iconic Banff Chateau Hotel, the Grand Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, fronting the magnificent turquoise lake and glacier and a luxury \u2018on snow\u2019 apartment at Panorama with temperatures hovering around \u201325 Celsius for the whole week!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a fun trip, driving on snow packed roads, (stopping to let the Mommy Bear and cubs cross the highway), chased by a Moose when trying to get our rental car in Banffs main street, a rugged-up evening Dog Sled ride from the glamorous Lake Louise Chateau. With endless snow packed piste\u2019s at Sunshine Resort, Norquay, Lake Louise and the icy moguls, race track slopes and bitter temps at Panorama.
Eventually finishing at the cow poke mining town of Fernie and finally, smokin cold \u2018Pow Pow lines\u2019 on the steep n\u2019 deep slopes at the nearby Fernie Alpine Resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: Lake Louise Resort is now rated the best in Canada? With new infrastructure and extended off piste access in the Banff National Park from the top lift to the vast and un-groomed West Bowl. (with a buddy please!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More recently my second trip started in Kelowna B.C. and went clockwise on a \u201cGypsy ski travels\u201d, enjoying various fun Ski Hostels and the very stylish Ski Lodge at Revelstoke.
But, eventually reversing my tracks due to the hideous snow conditions south of the border in the \u2018Good old USA\u2019. and the \u2018wanna be gang\u2019 who arrived en mass to chase the northern pow\u2026 my advice was not to go south to Red and Whitewater as planned\u2026the best was here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a Silverstar groomer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Silverstar Resort was a good warm up and a cheapish taxi delivered me to the ski in-out SameSun Backpacker Lodge, to a welcome smile, a light snack and a decent sleep. (it had been a 19 hour trip from Brisbane.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a local’s chalet<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Breakfast was healthy and plenty, then I glided down to the ticket office noticing the free Guided Tour by local ski hosts started in 5 minutes? and Why not!
It was BIG fun, as I had never been on a \u2018tour du resort\u2019 before and as this cutesy pie village is in the middle of the mountain with chairs going every which-way, a perfect start to the Canadian Powder Highway.
Wandering about behind the leader was fun and with a nice mix of sociable guests digesting the lifts and slope difficulties on both the Front and Back Sides.
(including the steep n\u2019 nasty chopped bump runs off Aunt Gladys)!
It was good piste skiing and the Mountain Host covered a lot of interesting areas for me to explore in the next 3 days, and we finished with an excellent \u2018coffee n\u2019 pastry\u2019 in a ski-in-out high street cafe. (and definitely no cars).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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cute n’ colourful.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The inner village at Silverstar is \u201cDisney Cute\u201d and most of the cowboy themed facade\u2019s of hotels, bars n\u2019 salons, and bistros welcome you from the board walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My choice is The Bulldog Hotel in Main Street, and there is also plenty of quality Lodges, Condominiums and Vacation homes shrouded in the ski slopes and lanes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the main street.
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a good vibe at Silverstar and all the staff were welcoming and helpful.
The grande dame in Ski Dazzel caught my eye (missed that one) and the Goody Box offered scrumptious candy for my journey up the highway to Revelstoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oh, and the skiing was great too. Not pow pow, but grippy well groomed piste\u2019s or testing bump lines down to the Eldorado trail in Putnam Creek\u2026and the easy social apre ski \u2018hoo ha\u2019 was always within walking distance from the SameSun Lodge.
Thank you Silverstar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the fresco at Vernon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Taxi to Vernon and then the Greyhound to the Revelstoke junction on snow packed Highway 1# was easy and a relaxing vista. Then I hitched a ride (with big ski bag and pack) into the town of Revelstoke and caught the ski shuttle to the posh Sutton Palace Hotel which anchors the \u2018nearly-famous\u2019 Revelstoke Mountain Resort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the Sutton Palace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After dumping my ya ya I shuttled back to town and after finding the pro ski shop I bought it! Na\u2026just new Scott goggles which cost two arms and a leg. (still wearing them)? Then breakfast goodies for my ski buddy Darryl and self, me being the petit dejeuner chef de cuisine for the week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the Holy Grail lounge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sutton Place Hotel is the centre of Skiing-Boarding for this Selkirk-Tangiers region. Heli skiing, Cat skiing and the 5620 ft. vertical off the top Revelstoke chair all start here, for the social mix of predominantly strong to expert skiers and riders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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my ski buddy Darryl.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With various weather patterns and a 20 minute drop to the bottom it was testing and testy. Wind crust, Snow, Rain and Dense fog were all in the weekly junket for the brave, including steep glades, open bowls, flat light, mega moguls and off camber troughs under the gondola\u2026(ak. Kill The Banker).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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a gloomy start to our week.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was exhausting and Big Fun, but pay attention and make good decisions off piste!
Greely Bowl didn\u2019t open and the other steep lines beyond the \u201cSweet Spot\u201d drop-in stayed murky all week.
And moving my bindings forward another 8 mm. helped over the big pillows and in the tricky glade terrain off The Ripper Chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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thw wannabe gang.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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rough n’ tough. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Rockford bar and grill became our \u2018go to\u2019 late lunch stop and the Mackenzie Outpost at mid mountain made great coffee, cookies and snacky dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Six days at Revelstoke mid Feb was tough. It was cold, some times damp and often when returning down to the lower station the Fog belt was so dense it was dangerous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

We did enjoy the challenging off piste (both being Seniors) and the 50 metre walk to the gondola from a luxury suite in Sutton Palace enthused our early starts perfectly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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downtown Revelstoke.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Daryl took a limo to Sun Peaks (as you do) and after a relaxing morning scooping out the small town centre and options for a spring return trip, I rode a Greyhound through the imposing Kicking Horse Pass on Highway 1# and arrived at Golden B.C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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moody mountain pass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Eventually finding my new digs in the historic centre of Golden at the Dreamcatcher Hostel.
Still stunned, I hit my cot early in the very comfortable Hostel and it literally was \u2018sweet dreams\u2019 as Kicking Horse Resort beckoned me to ski tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dream Catcher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After a pancake breakfast, (with Maple syrup of course) I asked a couple of oldies \u201cwhere does the shuttle leave from\u201d and their reply was \u201cjust walk to the road and stick your thumb out\u201d\u2026 \u201cskis and all\u201d, \u201cYep, and wear your boots\u201d.
And I did just that with my Cat Tracks on, arriving at the Kicking Horse car park 15 minutes latter.
Then walked over to the snow slope and glided down to the ticket office, sans a 6 day non consecutive pass and a trail map. \u201cEasy Peisy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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frightening ridge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Above the \u2018just another resort focusing on condo development\u2019 there\u2019s some dam good skiing and riding, with consistently less murky light to enjoy the steep open bowls accessed from the top ridge line. And the snow was cold and light with plenty of room through the trees and glades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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back country gate!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just watch for the traverse lines under the fluff for max \u2018fall line\u2019 fun.
Take the poison, as most of the inbound is do-able off the Stairway to Heaven and skiers right under the Golden Eagle Express for a good balance of steeps, tree lines, cold snow\u2026 and easing steeps to the base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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off camber off piste.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Big Balls or Bitchy? Hit Terminator Peak and the South Ridge double blacks in good vis. Or the Whitewall over Redemtion Ridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the cosy Yurt Bar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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as it says.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I enjoyed my stay in Golden and the daily hitch to the Kicking Horse base was instant and always sociable, with locals and travellers and often returning from the car park gate in the same vehicle.
Originally a train junction, Golden B.C. is casual, invigorating and enjoys drop dead mountain scenery and National Parks every which way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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live the dream in Golden B.C.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Checkout Bacchus Bookstore and Cafe for used books, or new books while waffling the wonderful aroma and then enjoy their tasty cake n\u2019 coffee upstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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fun n’ games at Dreamcatcher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a perfect retreat after four days of great All Mountain skiing and taking my regular snack in the Yurt at the bottom of the Stairway to Heaven lift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dreamcatcher Hostel really is a Home away from Home. With bunches of interesting travellers and good \u201cSliders\u201d who were enjoying healthy breakfasts and making convivial evening chat in the large and comfortable lounge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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bye bye Dreamcatcher.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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been there!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After two more casual days poking around Kicking Horse resort\u2019s lower slopes
I reversed my onward travels and bussed back to the regions capital Kelowna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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style on the lake.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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glamour sailing?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Checking out their very stylish Yacht Club on the lake, then gasping at the classic Canadian winter dish \u201cPoutine\u201d. (french fries, gravy and cheese curd) yuk\u2026then ended up tasting Canadian Whisky in the local Craft Distillery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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fries, gravy and curd!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next morning Fuzzy headed, I taxied to the airport and Jet Jumped south west to the bright neon lights of L.A. and edgy Venice Beach for a well earned\u2026holiday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the pump platform!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the boardwalk.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Actually I had specifically dropped in to la la land to visit the PETERSEN Auto Museum on Wilshire Boulevard and enjoy a casual smooch on Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu Beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the end of Route 66!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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the infamousVenice Beach Hotel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dressed to kill, the museum was still closed for major renovations and a makeover! Perhaps next trip, as it is impossibly \u201cSo-Cal\u201d with cars, retro cool auto art and revolving sporty car exhibitions. Just Do It.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the Santa Monica Big Wheel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A little bit of Americana shopping on S.M. Boulevard put me back at the iconic Santa Monica Pier and being the weekend the boardwalk back to Venice Beach was full of beautiful people strutting, posing and just \u201changing Out\u201d. Or doing healthy stuff and watching being watched?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Michellin 3 star +<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ocean Avenue is the place to stay and the original Hotel California is retro and funky-cool, a fitting end to my \u201cGypsy ski travels\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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bye bye la la land.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n
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Murray Sandman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Powder this, pow pow that, its all a bit \u2018ho hum\u2019 and often misleading when one is pre booking air travels, and has limited time. However I have travelled the highway twice and thoroughly enjoyed it\u2019s imposing beauty, frigid temps and the consistently reliable snow with varied skiing. On my first trip we arrived in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1146","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1146","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1146"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1146\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3704,"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1146\/revisions\/3704"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gypsyskitravels.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1146"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}