For most Europeans, venturing to Canada seems like a far more disconcerting escapade than the virtuous and familiar local mountain retreat spread across Italy, France and Austria. A weekend ski trip merely isn’t viable when contemplating the likes of North America. What makes our European counterpart so convenient for most, is the quick getaway opportunity that a two-hour flight and direct resort link up presents to people who only have anything less than a week’s worth of time.
Zealous, practiced skiers who want to make the most of their time in the mountains know how important it is to ensure an early rise. But the concept that one can fly across a border, frisk a pair skis and ascend a mountain, just to squeeze in a couple of insubordinate afternoon hours, is bedlam to most. When the objective is purely to ski, relax and breathe crisp mountain air, a familiar destination will usually suffice.
It is hard to compare the mountain ranges which dictate the variability of any skier’s background and the multitude of resorts which lie at the heart of this passion. People, climate and culture play an overwhelming role in shaping our identity on and off the slopes, both subconsciously and intuitively. The Alps have an irrefutable reputation for having some of the best skiing in the world, accompanied by elegant chalet lifestyle living and an unbeatable social atmosphere.
It would be partisan to advocate the Rockies as any lesser to what the Alps have to offer, they are just invariably different. The Alps win on altitude, with summit peaks reaching 4,800 vertical metres. Spread far further apart, Canadian mountain resorts feel more isolated in their own respect, accompanied by an undoubtedly colder, more gruelling climate. This makes a vast difference where skiing and snow is concerned.
Temperatures can reach a scathing minus forty degrees Celsius and below during the coldest months of December and January. This principle is in truth however, what makes skiing in Canada so remarkable. The cold air inversions keep the snow conditions exceptionally well throughout the season, to the point where one can still avoid icy turmoil weeks after the most recent snowfall. If you can bear to stay out for longer than an hour on the coldest mornings, you’ll be rewarded with snow which is unparalleled in its superior quality and fluffy texture.
Apart from some of the better-known destinations that lie in British Columbia, which host some of the best heli-skiing in the world, the Rockies are on average quieter than the bustling French Alps. Bearing this in mind, it doesn’t offer quite the same overall mountain experience which certain holidaymakers look for; handsome chalets which cater for a variety of alpine cuisine and après ski to finish off the day. One can find just as much luxury and charm in the settlements and resorts of the Rockies; contrast being the scale of grandeur, which is slightly more modest. It is hard to speak objectively about charisma seeing as everyone has a different ideal for their destination choice, but therein lies a certain beauty.
In my personal experience, I couldn’t say that either one of the two has a more professional, or as some like to call it, ‘hard-core’ approach to skiing as a sport. They just identify with varying appreciation, which becomes very apparent as you get to know the two. Purely as a sport, the Rockies poses less immediate, lavish distractions which are so prudent to European holiday resorts. Canadian skiing is extremely centred around skiing, whereas the Alps is more flexible in what it offers. Nevertheless, for anyone who can consider themselves a veteran skier, North America is somewhere I recommend to all.
