Nick Fearon took time out to ski in the Canadian Rockies, and found BANFF and JASPER awesome ... The skiing here is so much better than Europe, although particularly cold in February ~ -20o on the slopes most days. You really need all the right gear, including a neoprene face-mask! Banff is an easy drive from Calgary on Highway 1, and takes about 1½ hours. Mt. Norquay is in Banff, and offers 25 runs, particularly aimed at beginners, with two-thirds of the runs being for beginners or intermediates. Sunshine Resort is 10 minutes drive north on Highway 1, offering 110 runs and the fastest Gondola in the world to get up to the slopes quickly. There is plenty of choice for any level of skier. Lake Louise is 35 minutes north of Banff, also on Highway 1, again with more than 100 runs and great skiing for all levels, and offering a brand new Gondola. I stayed in the Banff Park Lodge Hotel which is in a fantastic location in the centre of Banff, with a pool and sauna, less than 5 minutes to all the best restaurants and bars in town, and plenty of these to offer every variety of dining. In my opinion, this would be the best place to stay in the area. The price for a lift pass ranges from $40 - $80 per day, and obviously cheaper if you buy a weekly pass. It's possible to get one that is valid for the entire area and this offers the greatest flexibility. For transport, I hired a car from Calgary Airport, a huge Dodge Durango truck, which was the business. The quality hotels will offer covered (and sometimes heated) parking, so your ski gear should be safe enough stored in the trunk overnight. Driving a vehicle like this makes you feel like you belong, and not a tourist! Valet parking is possible at $25 per day, which is handy, especially when some car parks can be 10-15 minutes walk in your ski boots on busy days. Trip taken by Nick Fearon in February 2005

The gondolas Banff Park Lodge in winter Lunchtime break

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