You just never know what to expect when it comes to winter in Calgary. As we all witnessed this week, we can go from spring-like conditions to a full on blizzard in a matter of hours. There’s no doubt that certain aspects of winter here can be a total pain; nobody likes sitting in cold vehicles, shovelling the sidewalk, or walking to and from the office in the dark, but let’s focus on some of the positives… like fresh powder and getting out of town.
Most of the hills are now open for the season, and whether you’re on a board or two planks, this is the best way to make use of the colds days if you live in Calgary. In only a few short hours, you can hit the slopes and forget why you ever cursed winter. Resorts like Nakiska, Sunshine and Lake Louise are all great options for day trips. If you’re looking to make a weekend of it, you can venture a bit further into the mountains to resorts like Kicking Horse. The runs at Kicking Horse offer a bit more of a challenge and the town of Golden has a handful of great little spots to hit for dinner and drinks.
There’s really nothing more satisfying than driving back to town and feeling that huge sense of accomplishment with how you spent your weekend. To make sure you maximize your fun on the hill this year, here are a few more tips:
Merino Wool: Staying warm is the name of the game when it comes to playing outside. Using Merino wool makes a perfect base layer because it’s lightweight and dries quickly. Even on the coldest of days, a thin pair of Merino long underwear will keep your legs toasty warm. Just remember: Merino good, cotton bad.
A Playlist: A great day in the mountains is always better with good tunes. Throw together a compilation with some classic hip-hop or new electronic to get yourself psyched for the first run. Biggie Smalls, anyone? Make sure to add a few tracks on the end of that playlist for the last run. Cruising down to the xx is always a great way to finish an awesome day.
Helmet: At the risk of sounding maternal, wear a helmet! It’s nice to see that in 2013, people who aren’t wearing helmets on the ski hill are the minority. Besides saving your noggin, helmets are also wonderful because they’re warmer than toques. There are quite a few helmets on the market right now with high quality, built-in speakers, which is far easier than wearing ear buds all day.
Good Snacks: Shopping for days on the hill may be one of the few times when grocery shopping is fun. Don’t underestimate the importance of having an arsenal of good snacks. Stock up on granola bars, trail mix and chocolate to keep you going through the day. Bringing something hot for lunch is also a key to making your afternoon comfortable. When you throw on wet gear to head back out, you want to make sure you’re sufficiently warm. Finally, treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee on your way out of town in the morning. This is something you’ll come to look forward to when you have to be up and on the road before 7am on a Saturday.
Good Buddies: This is probably the most important tip of all. Even if you’ve ignored all the other tips above, good friends are what make ski days the most fun. After all, you’ll want good company for the car ride and those old two-seater chairlifts. You also want people along who are willing to explore and push you to try something new. And of course, you need someone to enjoy a few cold ones with après ski.
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