Spring riding

This can be some of the best skiing and riding we have all season.

It is no longer dark when everyone sets off to work in the morning, the lifts stay open longer, the patios are filled on sunny days.

Plenty of snow on the mountain, yet the ice has melted on the river, bikes are out in town as are the longboards, shorts and flip flops.

Most locals have not yet taken the winter tires off their cars as we all know we are still due for another spring dump of snow...but summer is close!

Winter 2012-13 planning

Panick is starting to set in as visa's are being filled up faster that those darn ACPO police clearances are getting churned out!

Here's to hoping that all those of you that were planning on being in Banff with us next season have filled in, signed, sealed and delivered all those bits to the Canadian High Commission and we will be all sitting in Tommy's having a celebratory Kokanee six months from now!

Working Holiday

Quota: 5,350
Working Holiday places remaining: 776
Updated: 30/04/2012

The biggest storm in 40 years  dumped 123cm of snow on Banff-Lake Louise in 5 days!

      Saturday skiing was epic 25 cm of fresh snow keep us locals happy!

      Sunday was better  again; although high winds kept the upper mountain closed, there was another 25cm of fresh snow

      Monday; another 20-30 cm of fresh snow overnight!

      Tuesday: EPIC!  About 40cm of snow overnight....the snow at Sunshine, Lake Louise and Norquay many were saying was as good as a good day of heliskiing can get...fresh tracks, blue skies, and more fresh tracks for hours on end..no line ups and hardly any people!

Everyone got out to experience the excitement of a huge powder day.

Now that everyone has had a taste for champagne powder...we are waiting for the next magical dump!

March= spring?   Not in the Rockies!  Bring on the powder.

A solid weekend of fabulous snow accumulating at the mountain with more than 80cms since Friday!

Weather warning in effect for another 20-30 today...yes please!

Waist deep in most areas, and some say shoulder deep in the bowls!!

See you at Sunshine!

Dan Singleton  - No.1 Wolfpack

It's great to hear what past Gap Year Canada "Gappers" are up to these days, even better is when we get a surprise visit!!  Dan Singleton (the scottish looking dude on the left) was Gap Year Canada's very first applicant back when it all started in season 2005.  Is it great to be back in Banff for a visit? We believe after a season in the mountains, everyone is drawn back to Banff at some point!

Looks like they like our blog! thanks for following!

An update from Michael, out this season on the Early Season Instructors program:

Thinking about taking a gap year or just a change of scene?

I undertook the Snowboarding Instructors Course based at Mount Norquay, this included the training, exam fees along with guaranteed employment!

After i passed my level 1 i went straight into teaching representing Norquay's ski school. It's fun working with others who share a passion for snow sports!

As for the training you receive when you are out here, it is unmatched, working for a ski school there is always some way to challenge or test your riding. So if you are up for working at a snow resort, earning money doing it AND becoming an unrivalled mountain slayer then you'll love this  

As for everything else you can think of is organised for you, from where/who you live with right through what mountain you work at! 

I did my level 1 CASI certification and intended on just coming to Canada for the year, but now i'm taking my Snowboard Level 2 and Park Level 1 and planning to stay the summer too the experience was that good!

As a gapyear, as a life choice or just a different experience to what you are used to, taking a year out through Gap Year Canada is a must do!