Banff


What a fantastic time we all had. Here's how it all unfolded...

Flying out of Vancouver, climbing over the Cascade Mountains, up above the clouds we could see the tops of the mightiest volcanoes of the Cascade Range looming over vast populations - Mt Baker, Mt Rainier. Speeding over the epic wilderness we checked out the valleys, peaks and vast forests punctuated by clearcut zones - eye sores of non-sustainable forest management. Next up was the Northern reaches of the Great American Desert - Mojave followed by the epic Rocky Mountains. Standing tall, standing mighty - these mountains have stirred all emotions. Reverence from visitors and original dwellers and fear from the early pioneers heading west seeing their first major obstacle. The Rockies soon end, and the vast North American Plain opens up. It's wild how abrupt this change happens.


From Calgary we caught a shuttle and headed back into the Rockies, to Banff. It's a really beautiful ride through the mountains. The prairies turn into foothills, the foothills turn into mini-me mountains then the massif rocks appear.

We arrive at the hotel, check in, the room isn't quite ready so we take a walk around town. It's sunny, it's bright and we can feel the altitude. Banff is a mile high, the air is cold and fresh. It feels like some 19th Century health retreat.


It's just after the lunch rush, so we ended up in a Old Spaghetti Factory feeding frenzy, beside It's a tradition on these winter vacations to eat there. A couple of nice glasses of wine and the mixed plate of 50% Mangers Special + 50% Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese = 100% satisfaction. lol.

After a little town action we head back to the hotel and promptly exchange winter clothes for hot-tub attire. Ahh, the lap of luxury in the basement spa. It's starting to feel like a great holiday, as I slip from tired achy Kormacurry into relaxed Kormacurry. It was hard to get out, but we really did have to try the steam-room. Magnifique. We lazed away the rest of the late afternoon before heading out for dinner.

In the eve we check out to a local pub, enjoy a tasty meal and listen to a stunning Ska band, complete with horn section. We enjoyed them so much, we sat through 3 sets into the early hours. At one point we shared a table with some kids from Calgary up for a party weekend in the mountains. It turned out one og them was a friend of a intern we had at our office. Small world.

Next day we awake to glorious weather. Mountain fresh. M really wanted to see the legendary Lake Louise so we caught one of the ski-shuttles out there. The ride was just epic. Fabulous mountain range, after fabulous range. Forests, just the way we like them - vast and untouched. Awesome-Awesome-Awesome. Around the lake was a grand château which we checked out - very nice. The lake was our destination so we headed outside. M spotted the biggest raven ever .. huge and some dandy bird with a interesting song. The Lake was frozen, so guests at the château skated merrily with misty mountains looming in the backdrop.

Around the lake was a number of ice-sculptures, a few were very kool. Intricate designs not as clumsily cut as the chain-saw art that’s inevitably on display in mountain towns.

After a great afternoon, we had a nap and waited for the arrival of our friends ChicagoStyle a.k.a Sir BanffALot and Ms Basque. Prior to sleep the weather looked great, and we imagined them heading through the range at sunset. When we awoke - different story ... snowfall. Awww buggger!, that's going to be no fun at all. Not to worry, they arrived safe and sound and after a quick pre-function party in their room we headed out to start what was to become a fab trip. 1st dinner destination was Balkan a Greek restaurant, we all split a bunch of tasty Greek delights .. including the heart-smart option Saganki ... pan fried goats cheese with lemon. MmmMmmM. We exchanged stories, caught up and a bunch of laughs. Good tmes for sure.

Next day we headed out for the 1st session on the mountains and Powderhound Session 2007.7 at Lake Louise. The weather was perfect, the drive out was epic and the session turned out to be fantastic. The powder was great, the views were stunning and all of us had a great time. ChicagoStyle got his groove on, and it was like Christmas round at his place ... carving precision slices of tasty goodness. Ms Basque was on form and tearing up the kill-pow (killer powder) loving the mountain.

After a great afternoon on the slopes we headed back to hotel to meet M. We all jumped in the hot-tub and enjoyed a tasty post-ski beverage. Ahhhh.. bloody luxury. After a couple of hours nap-time we headed out for a tasty dinner. We found a great Italian with home style cooking. Good times. Everyone ordered yummy food and savored the culinary delights.

For our 2nd session on the mountains, and Powderhound Session 2007.8 we got an early start and headed out to Sunshine. Somewhat mis-named since the place was freezing. The temp hovered around -14c until it hit a high of around -10 which felt erm... great. Nestled amongst in the interior range it gives stunning vistas above the tree-line. Once again we had a great time exploring the mountain and the runs on offer. ChicagoStyle pointed out a hilarious designed run up near the Continental Divide (you know .. the point at which rivers to the East low into the Atlantic, and to the West the Pacific). There was a green run(generally the easiest) that ran parallel to a black diamond (advanced difficult) and if you didn't have enough momentum you'd end up dipping into that run and if you’re a beginner .. very probably a frightful experience.

Good times for sure this day, and we finished the day up by doing a great ski-out session. The trial must have been a service road in the summer, and trail in winter. It had some great bends and cheeky slopes. The run of the day was - 43 - …dreamlike.

After our session we headed back and all went out for a good lunch at the Irish Pub with some tasty pints of Guinness. Lunch over, it was back to the hotel for a spa session (awww stop it), a nap (come on!) and out for another great dinner at the Bison. Link Here. We discovered a great restaurant serving excellent food and refreshing cocktails. Delightful munchery over we called in at the Rose & Crown for laughs.

Following day … we headed out for breakfast followed by a long walk upto the Chateau in Banff. We cross a bridge over the frozen river and shudder at the foot-tracks across it like prudent city-folk we are. Good reaction considering further along the ice was breaking apart exposing the river.

We sauntered through the hotel, marvel at the grand patio and the view it provides. It's situated perfectly above the river, facing down a valley and framed by a mountain on either side. We headed into the swanky cafe and enjoyed cocktails - afterall the place was epic and it's played host to lots of celebs and merry makers including Marilyn Monroe.

We head back to the hotel, fire up the car and head East through the Rockies, down onto the Plains and into Calgary. On the outskirts of town we spot the place where the legendary Eddy The Eagle made his famous ski-jump in the winter Olympics.

What a fab trip. We all had a great time, lots of laughs and lots of adventure. Good times for sure.