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NONSTOPsnowboard 
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Post subject: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
 Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 03:43 AM
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First post: Nov 03, 2009
Total posts: 60
Status: Offline
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| What do you guys think the benefits are of riding Canada as opposed Europe? |
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NONSTOP Snowboard
www.nonstopsnowboard.com
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mountainfan
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 07:06 AM
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First post: Feb 25, 2010
Total posts: 63
Status: Offline
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In it for the long stiff ride; don't give a dam about the fashion 
Last edited by mountainfan on Apr 19, 2010 - 11:37 PM; edited 1 time in total
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winterfunman
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 07:13 AM
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First post: Apr 20, 2008
Total posts: 8913
Location: BANSKO ..........Bulgaria
Status: Offline
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findlater
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 07:49 AM
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First post: Oct 18, 2008
Total posts: 258
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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| Having been to both... Canada is in a different league, better snow, better resorts and better locals (imo of course) although I love Europe, Canada and the US are amazing and you only ever have to go once to realise that. The downside is it's far more expensive to get there but once there you can dine like a king for very little money at all and going s/c is a must to experience it. I'm going Europe this year but the US next (may sneak a last min deal to Europe too). |
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SnowAndrew
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 08:33 AM
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First post: Nov 10, 2008
Total posts: 535
Status: Offline
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I've never actually been to europe riding, unless MK counts. I always go to Canada. My first snowboarding holiday was to Whistler and the snow, mountains, resort, locals were all amazing so i've gone back every year since. I know i don't have anything to compare it to but since i only get two weeks abroad riding a year i want to make the most of it and i know Canada will be great.
I always think i'll spend a week riding in europe later in the season but it hasn't happened yet. |
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If the best snowboarder in the world is the one having the most fun, does that mean I’m better than Terje Haakonsen?
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ColdComfort
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 09:47 AM
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First post: Dec 03, 2009
Total posts: 1310
Location: Vancity
Status: Offline
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Can't agree enough - Started off going to the 'UK' french resorts like Meribel etc - once i went to CA for the first time - going back to Europe just felt like a shadow compared to it. Been to france once this year coz im seriously broke and just wasn't enough, didn't satisfy- just trying everything i can to get back to Canada before the end of the season.
IN summation the differences for me :
Big mountains, nasty ass bears, wolves and cougars ! lots of great pow, canadian people are totally awesome, prices seem more reasonable, more laid back, environment is just awesome - to me feels like your in the mountains not some snow version of eurodisney !
So finally a word of warning - going to CA / US may well ruin your happy European experience for u... |
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Dylanrobinson
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 10:35 AM
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First post: Apr 22, 2009
Total posts: 983
Location: Bolton / Edinburgh
Status: Offline
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Word of warning though...
DTMVTEC off here just got a 30 day ban in Whistler for jumping a fence that had already been knocked over. I've also heard of people getting bans for going too quick.
So it seems the only draw back is ski patrol.  |
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http://www.savetheciste.com/
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findlater
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 11:43 AM
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First post: Oct 18, 2008
Total posts: 258
Location: Manchester
Status: Offline
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| Just sat watching the closing event of the Olympics (I recorded it) and I think it sums it up MJ Fox came on and said "Once you have been to Canada you become a little Canadian and we take you in" and thats so true, once you have been it's unreal. The people are so amazing in everyway and can never do enough for you.... Plus (not sure if it's still there but) Doolies flip side for breakfast in the morning in Whistler was always a blast not to mention the size of portions you got in Blacks at the base of Blackcombe, the pancakes there were huge and more than enough for two of you not to mention very cheap. |
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Olibone540
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Post subject: RE: What are the benefits of riding Canada over Europe?
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 11:52 AM
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First post: Feb 19, 2005
Total posts: 67
Location: Whistler, BC
Status: Offline
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Easy, giant nacho platters and 25¢ chicken wings.
North American resorts all the way - most of these resorts are proud of their snowparks and keep them properly maintained - something it's taken over a decade for only a handful of Euro resorts to learn from.
imo Europe has a much much higher douche/non-douch ratio (and i'm not talking about showers). |
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bartiebat
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 12:13 PM
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First post: Feb 14, 2008
Total posts: 225
Status: Offline
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Lifts!!! How ace are the lifts?!! Not only is there generally no-one queuing at them, but on the days there are, that whole courtesy thing of "oh no it's your turn now"!! No fighting!! You can actually talk to your friends in the queue about how good that was, or where shall we go now, rather than sticking your head down, shuffling forward & hoping you find them at the top!
Starts mini rant....
& at the top - not being greeted with a gaggle of skiers not clearing the run off, who then shaking their heads at the new snowboarders who all had to turn dramatically to avoid them so fell over & are now blocking the run off even more for the next batch of skiers coming off the lift to get angry at them (cycle continues)
And liftees who not only organise lifts to make sure when it's busy all the seats are full so you're not queuing for ages/ clear the run offs at the top to stop the snowboarder v skier hatred, but also seem to actually enjoy working there & are nice to you!
The above is for N.America full stop. Going to Italy sunday, looking forward to it but a bit scared I've been N.Americanised over the last 4 years!! Must - not - lose - temper - at - rude - skier - stood - on - my - board (who's just tried to push me over in the lift queue!) 
However, I do much prefer being able to step out of my hotel & be on the slopes AND in town, can't be doing with lengthy bus trips, something you often have to sacrifice for N.America (Whistler excluded). I'm sure after lift trauma next week I'll be fine with the buses again though!!hehe  |
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Rob_Quads
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 12:24 PM
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First post: Oct 11, 2004
Total posts: 266
Location: Southampton
Status: Offline
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Had to say the whole queuing thing IMO makes such a difference. Its the a silly sort of thing that you don't really think about but at the end of the day you feel so much more chilled out.
Last year at Whislter it was fairly busy one day as it had loads of snow during the week. The weekenders came and the peak was just about to open. Queues out the lanes BUT it all worked fine, turn about, everyone chatting. The odd German/French getting a bollocking for trying to push though lol. But you go to the top all ready to go in a good mood instead of pissed at the queuing for the last 30 minutes that you get when in many european resorts. |
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stevomcd
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 01:52 PM
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First post: Aug 25, 2006
Total posts: 72
Status: Offline
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For me:
North America pros:
Better snow (on average, not always!)
Cheap eating out
Good parks
North America cons:
Small mountains*
Small resorts*
Super-expensive lift passes
Backcountry bans in many resorts
I don't really care about the queuing, plus there's plenty of places in Europe where there are no queues at all (and plenty of American resorts which have monster queues).
*I expect to get some protests on this, but there's no question that even the biggest American/Canadian resorts have small vertical drops and a small area compared to even medium-sized European resorts. |
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Olibone540
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 02:09 PM
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First post: Feb 19, 2005
Total posts: 67
Location: Whistler, BC
Status: Offline
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stevomcd wrote:
Super-expensive lift passes
I'll agree with that one! - but ultimately it's worth it and luckily the season passes are still very good value - should you be lucky enough to require one! : ) |
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ColdComfort
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 02:14 PM
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First post: Dec 03, 2009
Total posts: 1310
Location: Vancity
Status: Offline
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TBH i can't disagree with Stevomcd's points - the vertical drop is often a lot less as is the number of runs per resort.
And a lot of the what imo are great boarding resorts like Revelstoke, Big White, Kickin horse etc facility wise are small and not a place u would wanna stay to enjoy the apres etc but the terrain and snow are worth it.
Whistler is a very European style resort and not allways indicative of the rest of facilities in the country.
All i would add is the majority if people on this thread echoed my centiments about ski canada / us experience - u just seem to have a better time out there, more chilled, more easy going just more enjoyable over all. Even when u get like a 40 min bus ride back from the slopes - im just chilled out and having a serious good time the whole way as opposed to having to remove some Italian numpties ski pole from my nuts for the 17th time in a sh1t overcrowded fernicular or some crap.
Oh and i'd also ad the quality of Tree Skiiing/boarding in North America in my experience sh1t on anything i have to find in Europe. |
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kieren24
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Post subject:
Posted: Mar 04, 2010 - 02:22 PM
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First post: Nov 13, 2004
Total posts: 3614
Location: Portsmouth
Status: Offline
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Quote:
For me:
North America pros:
Better snow (on average, not always!)
Cheap eating out
Good parks
North America cons:
Small mountains*
Small resorts*
Super-expensive lift passes
Backcountry bans in many resorts
I don't really care about the queuing, plus there's plenty of places in Europe where there are no queues at all (and plenty of American resorts which have monster queues).
*I expect to get some protests on this, but there's no question that even the biggest American/Canadian resorts have small vertical drops and a small area compared to even medium-sized European resorts.
I agree and disagree with this...
Small resorts, Vail, Breck and Whistler? Breck town is at 3000m... the highest ski area in europe is about 3800... which is about 200m less than in North America...
Although I do think that there are more vertical resorts in Europe...
The busiest times I've seen in Vail or Breck are during Presidents weekend or spring break and both times the worst queue was 10 minutes... I've seen some monster 30 minuters in France... and for smaller lifts at that.
They ban the back country but the marked terrain has what Europe would call back country anyway... and they'll be banning it soon enough in Italy with the rest to follow suite.
But yeah, no question on the parks... as Always America goes BIG. |
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.
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