After a day of “snow plowing” slowly down the “bunny slopes” at Banff and Lake Louise, (in Alberta, Canada), looking down the mountain at the beginning of a real ski run was terrifying! Less than 24 hours earlier was the first time I had ever donned a pair of snow skis, so I naturally questioned the sanity of this decision by my instructor to attack this famous Banff mountain on a pair of skinny boards.
Though the actual ski run for beginners is only slightly steeper in places than the wider training or “bunny” slopes, one can easily see that the sides of the run go straight down. Therefore, as my ski instructor had warned, I was engulfed by what they call “mountain fear.”
I quickly learned, however, that I could still make the turns or stop in the same way the wonderful instructors from the Banff and Lake Louise had taught me, and my confidence continued to grow. By the end of the day, I was like everyone else … enjoying the experience and the gorgeous views of one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Having never seen the Canadian Rockies during the winter season, I was amazed by the majesty of the snow-covered mountains. Also, the elegance and history of the Banff Springs Hotel was like something out of a medieval fairy tale. This spectacular hotel was the world’s largest when it opened in 1888 to accommodate Victorian tourists who came to visit the area’s hot springs. It was designed and furnished to resemble a Scottish castle at the urging of William Van Horne, General Manager of Canadian Pacific Railways. The hotel, which is known as “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” remains as Banff’s signature property and is one of the most beautiful hotels in Canada. This picturesque property is also the hub for those who want to ski Banff’s three famous ski venues at Lake Louise, Sunshine and Norquay. A complete ski shop with the latest rental ski equipment is located inside the Banff Springs Hotel, and they can arrange daily passes and ski lift tickets for all venues with reliable transportation to and from each area. Continue reading more by Bill Vanderford……
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