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Sun Mar 29, 2009 5:26 pm

I will be near Banff in 15-20 days to go snowboarding. Any ideas for a good spot to camp near the resort? I will probably ride 2 days and then continue on somewhere else. Any help would be appreciated.

Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:02 pm

you will need a Park Pass for each day you are in the Park.

try googling Banff National Park to find if any of the campgrounds are open in winter. YOu might be able to stealth camp in town (Banff).
If you don't mind a drive each day you can park in Canmore, maybe. it is about 20 to Banff, maybe an hour to Lake Louise.

You might want to just spend a day or two at Sunshine and Lake Louise, and then head down to Golden, Kicking Horse Resort, about 2 hours west in BC. It is maybe 2 hours over to Revelstoke, biggest vertical in NA. or head south down the rocky mountain trench to Panorama, Fernie, or into the Kootenays to Nelson. Better get a move on cuz everything will close soon even though there is still snow.

DON'T GO BACK COUNTRY WITHOUT KNOWLEDGABLE LOCALS AND PROPER EQUIPMENT. PEOPLE ARE DIEING NEARLY EVERY WEEKEND. THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS EXTREME ALL YEAR THIS YEAR.

Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:05 pm

P.S. If I could get away right now I would go to Revelstoke, Golden, and Fernie. then Nelson and Rossland on the way home. But you are going the other direction, your milage may vary.

Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:14 pm

Thanks for the info Gordy. I will look into it further. I should pull out of here Wednesday if all goes well. I have a beacon, shovel, probe and have pretty good knowledge of backcountry riding. Chances are since I'm alone I wont be OB too much. Thanks again.

Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:53 pm

Both Banff (Tunnel Mountain Campground) and Lake Louise campground are open in the winter. Usually in the RV area only, so you have to pay for electricity ($$$$).

Stealth camping is 'allowed' during the winter down the Spray Lakes road south from Canmore past the Nordic Centre.

My advice is to blow past Sunshine and Louise (although they have had snow dumps in the last few days so they may be ok) and go straight to Kicking Horse in Golden. Lots of good stuff there.

Gregor

Sun Mar 29, 2009 8:30 pm

Even though it has been mentioned earlier, let me also bring attention to the avalanche danger in the back country this year. One should always use caution but this year is particularly bad and we are just starting to hit warmer weather. This means the top layer of snow will start melting then freezing from day to night. The resulting heavy additonal weight up on top layer will make the ower layers very unstable.
It will come down. Be aware!!

Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:01 pm

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What he said....
and you need more tuna! :lol:

Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:11 pm

When in Canmore, go to the Grizzly Paw for a pint. Nothing like a micro-brew in the mountains. Canmore has lots of spots to park, the hard part is finding somewhere level. I lived in my subaru for a few weeks one winter until I could get an apt. (sure wish I had my van then 8) ). Banff is a lot more strict about overnight parking. Have fun...

Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:23 pm

I'd like to tell you that you should rather hit up Castle, Fernie and maybe Revelstoke...but then you'd be one more person likely to be in front of me(as I like to sleep in), so I won't..that said if you find yerself "south" of Banff, there's lots of camping spots nearby these hills...

ps-you need at least 3 times the Bush Beans you have :>

Tue Mar 31, 2009 4:02 am

We used to camp at tunnel mountain, and plug in an electric space heater to keep the van toasty overnight, and keep our boots from freezing overnight. It was, and still is a cheap alternative to the motels, and hotels in the park. There's also a Y in Banff at the old hospital, that isn't to spendy. I agree with the Golden recommendation too, that is a great hill! Haven't tried Revelstoke yet, but it sounds epic.

Have fun, and stay in bounds, there have been way too many back country deaths this year!

Jeremy