Whistler Travel Forum

we are just going to whistler for a day look and hoping to go snow shoeing and to the tube park but would also like to have a go at skiing or snowboarding. would we be best doing that here or is it possible to do it around the banff area where we are for 5 odd days. how do we go about learning to ski anyway can we just hire the stuff and have a go or what happens with limited time? thanks

Usually all ski areas offer lessons with their ski rental departments.Ask when you rent skis.Try to book in advance to get an early lesson time.If you have a group hire a private instructor. My best advice for a first timer is to get the shortest skis possible and if you are short on time skip snowboarding as the learning curve is longer-You spend alot of time falling your first couple of days boarding.
I have only been to Banff in summer but I think there is a ski area.
Think Snow!!

There are a couple of ski areas around Banff. If you are only going to be in Whistler for 1 day you should wait to try skiing until you get to Banff where you have more time. There is more than enough to keep you occupied in Whistler for a full day without skiing. Definitely take a lesson. Early morning lessons are the best because you then have the rest of the day to practice what you learned in the lesson. Enjoy your visit to Whistler and Banff. They are two of the most scenic and beautiful places in the world.

The tube park is only in Whistler - not in Banff, and has recently opend for the first time this winter, so try that out while in Whistler. If you have time, try out snowmobiling or dog sledding. They're available in Banff but you have to travel a far distance to get there. Other thing unique to Whistler is Zip Trek