Banff - Lake Louise :

Back in suburban Connecticut, I am still in awe of the sheer magnificence of Banff National Park cut in the heart of the jagged and pristine Canadian Rockies.  The town of Banff itself, a ninety minute drive from Calgary airport, is a popular ski village originally established in the 1880’s after three Canadian Pacific Railway workers stumbled upon natural hot springs there. I arrived at the base of Sunshine Village, one of three exciting ski destinations in Banff National Park, after a fifteen minute drive west from town. 

Guests check in at the base, 5450 feet above sea level. My host and I hurried onto the last gondola of the day, a 5pm ride through the stunning natural beauty and sheer wildness of this Rocky Mountain National Park.  Eighteen wondrous minutes later and the gondola deposited us at the ski lodge lying on a plain 7200 feet above sea level in an unspoiled mountain paradise.

Sunshine Village Ski Resort - Banff
Dazed from a long day of travel from the east coast,  I checked into my small but comfortable king room with a large Jacuzzi style tub, comfortable bed, gas fireplace, large screen television, and view of the chair lifts just below.  Prices range for this room from $560 per night for weekdays to $650 a night on the weekend. This  includes taxes and two lift tickets ($166 value). An hour later, I met my host, Tanya Otis, for drinks choosing one of two cushioned leather couches in front of a roaring fire in Chimney Corner, a bar and dining area with two fireplaces, lots of conventional seating, and large bay windows overlooking the slopes.  Since the Eagles Nest restaurant, a more formal setting, was occupied by a large group, we ate by the fireplace, splitting the lamb and tenderloin, choosing meats local to Alberta. The food was decent, the atmosphere warm and comfortable with a casual feel.

Skiing Sunshine Village 
I awoke early, rented a pair of Salomon Shogun hybrid skis for a day of fresh powder followed by a forecast for clearer skies. My ski guide, a pleasant woman from England, who fell in love with Sunshine Village nearly two decades ago, took me on nearly every trail possible given my skill set and the blizzard conditions. It was cold and windy with near freezing temperatures on the three mountains that make up the Sunshine Village Ski area but the experience of skiing with panoramic views of vast, untamed wilderness was well worth the long day of travel and rough weather. The region is well known for its terrific snow quality. The light, fresh powder didn’t disappoint, leaving blissful expressions on faces everywhere. 

With several areas of extreme terrain, Sunshine Village has a wide range of ski options from easy to extremely challenging. They have twelve lifts, over a hundred trails on 3300 acres of skiable terrain including a twelve acre terrain park. I left Sunshine the next morning after two Bluebird hours on my own followed by a half hour dip in the outdoor hot tub.  For a family or traveler looking for rustic accommodations, friendly customer service, and ample and diverse terrain, it is an excellent choice. 

Ski Travel Tips
Be advised: staying in altitude in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, though magnificent, can be very cold and cause headaches as the body adjusts. And know that the resort at Sunshine Village is rustic. For example, the staff request several hours to send your bags back down the gondola before checkout. Otherwise, you will need to carry them on the gondola yourself.  Also, the Banff Transporter, my shuttle to town from Calgary Airport, though reliable, can take nearly two hours due to several stops. For more information on Sunshine Village go to: http://www.skibanff.com/sunshine-village

The Post Hotel and Spa
Located 36 miles west of Banff in the town of Lake Louise The Post Hotel and Spa was a true experience in rustic elegance. This hotel offers award winning dining, a 25,000 plus bottle wine cellar, spa, salt-water pool, steam room and whirlpool among many other amenities. My room, a king suite with a wood burning fireplace in the living area, a walk in closet in the bedroom with a safe, and a large Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom off the master bedroom, was exceptional. The bed, facing a large flat screen television, was especially comfortable. The king suite is priced at $531 regardless of the night of the week, taxes included.  

My first night at the Post Hotel, I chose the comfortable and casual atmosphere of the Post Pub, an eatery easily accessible by a one minute walk outside. The steep, ....