Red Carpet Inn Hotel, Banff, Canada

We are a retired couple who travelled to Banff with Inghams for a week on April 6th 2011 flying from Manchester to Calgary on a Thomas Cook flight. This was a last minute booking at a special price which was very good value. The seats had good leg room but there was the option to upgrade to premium with wider seats, more room, greater baggage allowance and superior meals. We did not use the upgrade. Resort staff were very professional and transfer to resort was very efficient. Red Carpet Hotel ideally placed on Banff Avenue with bus for Lake Louise stopping outside the hotel - approx 45 minutes to resort included in lift pass price. Brochure advertised room only but continental breakfast was included - it was a basic meal of various cereals, toasts and muffins or pastries with spreads, juices, tea, coffee - self service and as much as you wanted. Good value. Rooms were large and well equiped. There had been recent snow and more fell during our week so runs were well covered. Main runs well groomed each day but not well marked with name/number only grading so sometimes difficult to know which run you were on. Back bowls with black and double black shutes had excellent cover. We skied with the Ski Friends most days who provided 2 hours free guiding am and pm in graded groupings from green to black (not allowed to guide on double blacks). This was an excellent, fun way to see the whole resort. We also skied Sunshine ski area one day which has much family terrain plus Goat's Eye Moungtain with many shutes and Delerium Dive - only allowed with full avalanche kit! We took the Inghams dine around package which gave 5 x 2 course meals including taxes, service and tea/coffee for £99 - excellent value as most main course were almost £20. In general - highly recommeneded package - good value, great skiing.

Apres-Ski 4/5

Kay Bates