Banff, Canada

Canada is a great place to ski, it can be cold so rug up. I have been to Italy and Austria and would definately go to Canada again. Banff and Whistler/Blackcomb are brilliant and plenty of other places such as Fernie, and the big bonus is the locals speak english and they're Canadians, what more could you want!

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Banff has got to rate among the best places to ski, board, relax and have fun. Easy access via a well organized ski bus to three top ski areas makes Banff stand out from other resorts. The snow is fantastic, the ski areas are massive, the variety is second to none. Club Ski is a well organised way to improve your skills without going to ski school. Let's also note that the Canadian people are second to none when it comes to friendliness and service. Banff is somewhere everyone should go at least once.

My favourite ski resort is Sunshine Village in Banff. The ski runs are like runways and Devils drop is just the most awesome experience ever. The views are amazing and the tri area ski pass allows you to explore miles of mountain terrain. The option to board/ski back to the car park as opposed to taking the lift also offers a great experience as long as you don't run into any bears!
Once back in Banff, it's all about the steaks, ribs and Canadian beer. Occasionally seeing elk and deer walking down the street also makes you feel like you are in an unspoilt land. If I could recommend one ski resort on Earth, go to Banff and you won't be disappointed!

Banff is crawling with great restaurants and good bars. Both Tommy's pub and the Irish pub in St. James's Gate do good, cheap pubfare.
For pizza and more, head to Athena's Pizza just beside the Clocktower Mall. If you want to splash out for a special occasion the French restaurant, Le Beaujolais, is the place to go.
For everything in between, try any restaurant on Banff Avenue, they are all good quality! Vegetarians might want to check out the Sunfood Cafe in Bear Street Mall.
Looking for a rowdy night out? Once every two weeks on Thursday, all the Sunshine staff get paid and head to Melissa's bar, for $ 1.75 high balls (mixers). If you want to hang out with the ski instructors, lifties and other young folk you have been seeing all day zooming down the mountain at Sunshine, come early, queues can easily reach down the road as early as 9.30! The Pump and Tap is a typical English pub, for the homesick, with cheap drinks, in the basement of Bear Street Mall.
Afterwards, head down to Hoodoo's lounge, for mostly cheesy music and good atmosphere, or Aurora's nightclub for more of a clubscene.

My favourite resort has to be Banff in Canada. It's a much more civilised place to ski than many resorts in Europe. You get waited on hand and foot at the bars, restaurants and hotels, you always get a seat on the bus, the lifties wish you a good day and never fail to remind you how awesome it is at the top! The views are spectacular, the runs wide, open and practically empty and it just cannot be faulted.