Amazing Alberta - Our Most Memorable Moments

Between us we've been skiing in Alberta for over 20 years, but why do we keep going back? Find out below as our team reveal their most memorable moments from the past two decades.

I first went to Banff in spring 2001. I was working the season in Whistler and fancied getting away for a few days. It was while driving through Lake Louise that I realised I needed to visit the Canadian Rockies as often as possible because nothing I had seen further west compared to their beauty.

That first trip with my ski buddies Nick Thomas & Sherri Castiglione became the funniest trip of my life and provided some of the best riding we had ever experienced.

My friend Sherri lives in the picturesque town of Canmore just 20 minutes from Banff so I didn’t stay in Banff that first visit, but I did get to sample its epic mountains. Sunshine Village did not deliver sunshine at all, but it did give us a seriously deep powder day. The advanced area of Goat's Eye was mind blowing. From the top of Goat's Eye Express Quad, traverse skiers left and take on a bit of 'Cleavage' or tackle a piece of 'Mother in Law', both fun black diamond runs, or bomb down the sunshine coast and nip into 'Hell's Kitchen', a super fun, pacey tree run with a small but mandatory cliff drop half way down.

Lake Louise is one of the best mountains around. The front side offers a ton of superfast cruisers but the back bowls are where the real money is at. Eagle Ridge, with its many chutes, was superb. Check out ER 3 and ER 6 for some double black delights.

Marmot Basin in Jasper is a quiet mountain, and the drive getting there is something else. If you want to experience one of the best mountain roads in the world, look no further than the Icefields Parkway - four hours of breathtaking scenery on the way to Jasper. Although under the radar, Marmot has some serious thrills if you want it. We found the easily accessible terrain in Eagle East the most fun, it was freezing cold but had very good snow and we rode all day.

It was at Mt Norquay on a separate trip that I ended five years of being vegetarian. With minus 30 temperatures, my friend Lloyd and I headed in to the Cascade Lodge to warm up and we were greeted by the most amazing smell. We asked what it was, they said “buffalo mince chilli" and so began the meat feast.

I lived in Banff between 2013 - 2015 and what made it so special for me was being in a National Park and surrounded by nature in every way. And while sharing my home with the local elk, bears and moose I was treated daily to 360 degree mountain views - absolutely spectacular.

One summer evening I took a canoe out from the historic Banff Canoe club. Whilst canoeing I spotted a beaver, just as a flock of Canada geese flew over my head - this has to be one of the most ‘Canadian’ experiences I've ever had. In winter I would walk to work across the Bow river, an unbeatable commute overlooked by Mt Rundle.

There's a colourful event calendar year-round - Banff Film Festival, The 4th Street Lilac Festival in Calgary and Jasper Dark Sky Festival were particular highlights - but in winter it's hard to beat Lake Louise's Ice Magic Festival. Ice artists from around the world compete to create ice sculptures on the frozen lake right outside the Fairmont. Best enjoyed while sipping a hot toddy!

There are three mountains to explore right on your doorstep (covered on the Tri-Area lift ticket), with Lake Louise offering the best views. My most memorable moment of all was driving along the Icefields Parkway on a bluebird day the morning after a snowfall, the trees were covered in a dusting of snow, as I visited the Athabascan Glacier in Jasper National Park.

On a trip to the Canada Rockies with colleague Claire in January 2012, I had the pleasure of spending the first night at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Wow, what a setting and what a view!

I set the alarm for 6.30 to watch the sun rise over the lake - I'm told it's stunning but it was cloudy that day! However, the Lake Louise ski area made up for the wait later on - the ridge at the top of the front side overlooked the lake with an incredible ice haze complete with rainbows and sundogs.

I skied on a Sunday and the slopes were empty with not one lift queue in sight. There is a huge amount of varied terrain here with something to suit everyone from pretty much every lift. We tackled the chutes which run down from the Top of the World lift, these were fantastic as they really hold the snow and lead onto some mellow tree runs on the way back down to base. Perfect.

En route to Banff, arriving at Lake Minniwanka at sunset was amazing - beautiful, silent and eerie, well worth the quick detour. I had bear fear, but I was relieved to spot only a couple of coyote and an elk!

My best day was boarding in Sunshine Village (20 minutes from Banff) with our host Jason’s daughters, Ellie, 9, on her snowboard and Emma, 7, on skis which was wonderful. Sunshine has a very warm and friendly vibe - our host had been quite happy for them to ride around unescorted for the morning before they joined us for the afternoon. Their passion for the mountains was infectious, and the rollercoaster run was very fun - Ellie was way better than me!

In Banff town I had possibly the best fish and chips I've ever had. With portions big enough for two, The Elk and Oarsman has a great menu and an even better atmosphere!

At Mt Norquay, we went up to the historic Tea House (now the Cliffhouse Bistro and only open in summer) on the two-man North American chair. Originally built in the 1950’s, the Tea House was accessed via a unique chairlift/gondola hybrid and was regularly visited by celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe. Pure Art Deco, it felt like the mountain cabin that time forgot.

Alberta's hospitality is wonderful, the powder even better, and I can't wait to go back! This 'little piece of heaven' is definitely something to be proud of.

The best extreme skiing I've ever done was at Delirium Dive, the world-famous Freeride Zone at Sunshine Village.

This is an absolute dream for advanced skiers - multiple entry points leading to some of the best extreme skiing in the Rockies. As entry is limited to those with a buddy and with the correct equipment, numbers are kept down so the powder lasts all day.

For the most stunning walk, visit Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park - walk along the frozen river bed with frozen waterfalls towering majestically 30 metres above you. The best way to experience it is on a guided ice walk.

When in Jasper you have to visit the Dead Dog pub to meet the locals and experience the best and most unique après ski. I always say that Jasper is the most friendly place in Canada, and at The Dead Dog locals and holiday makers come together and instantly become life-long friends. Play some pool, throw some darts and drink some local beers - it will soon feel like your local pub.

Banff was my first time skiing in North America and I fell in love with Sunshine Village. What stood out for me was the quality of the fluffy, powdery snow and the amount of space you have to experience the incredible mountain.

My confidence and ability came on leaps and bounds in my time here, and I would highly recommend it for anyone looking to head to North America to improve their skiing. Whether you are visiting for the day or staying for longer at the Sunshine Mountain Lodge, you will never be short of terrain that suits everyone - and even beginners can reach the summit.

For memorable food, head to breakfast at the Fairmont Banff Springs - they make omelettes to order, along with a large spread that has everything you can think of. If staying in Lake Louise I would really suggest an evening in the Austrian-style fondue restaurant Walliser Stube, located in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. They serve three courses - cheese, then meat (bison) and then chocolate and fruit to finish. Oh and the nachos at the base of Lake Louise are epic!

I had a great day skiing with Gord Fielding and his team at Mt Norquay. I enjoyed listening to Gord's stories of the area and all the iconic local ski figures, like Eddie Hunter, local historian and ski legend for over 70 years. A little bonus at Mt Norquay is the tubing, included on your lift pass. Great for children and adults alike, you can really clock up some serious speed! It's open every day and you can visit as often as you like.

I only spent two nights in Banff in March 2013 but the Fairmont Banff Springs left a lasting impression! The view from the hotel is phenomenal, even on a cloudy day, and dinner at the Samurai Restaurant has to be done. We had sushi for starters and then the sukiyaki, which is a typical Japanese winter dish with amazing cuts of beef - YUM.