By John Schultheis     

While sixty-odd Après skiers were in Whistler, a few of us joined the Far West Ski Association for Ski Week in Lake Louise Canada. About 413 people from all over the western states descended upon the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on Saturday January 24th 2004 for a week of skiing and festivities.

The Bay Area Council (BAC) group flew in from San Francisco and Sacramento to Calgary, and then took a bus ride over to Lake Louise. There were some difficulties with bags and overbooked flights, but we all survived. I guess the problems should be expected when you have a group that large. Eventually all of the bags were delivered, and Air Canada reimbursed for any rentals required by any skiers.

On Saturday evening there was a balcony set aside for reservations for all of the Councils where we picked up our badges, schedules and assorted trinkets. In addition we were able to sign up for racing and for various other activities.

On Sunday morning a group of 30 skiers from the BAC took a free shuttle bus over to Sunshine Village for some skiing. The mountains along the Trans Canada Highway were magnificent, rising almost vertically from the plains just a short distance from the road. It was truly breathtaking. One special thing about Sunshine is that on some of the runs, and on one of the chair lifts, you actually pass from Alberta into British Columbia and then back into Alberta.

There was a big welcome party for everyone in the main ballroom of the Chateau on Sunday night. The food was unbelievable and the surroundings were opulent to say the least. The Chateau is a true throwback to a different era with grand furnishings and ornate décor.

There were a variety of activities scheduled for everyone during the week. In addition to the Far West activities, each Council had the opportunity to schedule additional events throughout the week. At the end of the week, I needed to get back to work to get some rest. There was at least one party - meal - event or something for each day. On top of that, we had three days of ski racing for those so inclined.

On Monday there was a Qualifier Race to help determine what class each racer belonged in. Anyone that wanted to was allowed to race on the simple NASTAR style course. Points and places were recorded for all levels.

The main operative words for the week were cold and fun. Record cold temperatures were recorded throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan during the week we were there. Most mornings the TV weather report said minus twenty-something centigrade for Banff and for Calgary, the largest cities in the vicinity. We all bundled up heavily, stoked the internal fires, and skied through the cold. There were some instances of small patches of frostbite, but nothing major.

Monday night there was a party at the Lodge at Ten Peaks in the evening, called the Mountain Rocker. The Party included free beers (small) and another great spread of fabulous food. They followed that up with door prizes and dancing.

On Tuesday it was so cold that Sunshine Village and the Trans Canada highway were closed. Many of us skied anyway, but it was so cold that the skis would make squeaking or barking sounds whenever you tried to move. The races scheduled for Tuesday were postponed. There was a lunch buffet provided for all skiers at the Whitehorn Lodge at mid-mountain. It was called the mountain Picnic, but this was way more than any picnic I have ever been to. The councils ate in staggered seating times, and group pictures were taken.

Tuesday night was Council Night, when each council was encouraged to do their own thing. The BAC participated in the Barbeque at Brewster’s Barn. We were carried by horse drawn sleigh to a rustic barn building filled with western memorabilia and a cowboy atmosphere. We were served with BBQ steak and chicken and baked potatoes and all manner of decadent western style foods. Later we danced away the night until the last bus was threatening to leave without us.

On Wednesday it was a fabulous powder day, and many braved the bitter cold to ski all the pow pow and off into the trees. In the afternoon the BAC met at the Whitehorn Lodge for what they call the Torchlight Dinner. There was a great combo playing for our amusement and entertainment. We had some silly games, including a limbo contest to see which row would get to attack the buffet first. The buffet featured salads and pastas and jumbo shrimp, plus salmon and prime rib and a whole table full of dessert choices. After dinner and various audience participation musical numbers, we donned our skis to head down the mountain by torchlight. We each had personal headlights, and the leaders had road flares to lead the way. It was indescribably beautiful in the moonlight, and surprising warm skiing down at 7:30 at night.

Some of the people took buses into Banff to do some sightseeing or shopping. The rest of the die-hards skied until they could barely walk. Thank goodness for the huge Jacuzzi. We exceeded the maximum posted occupancy of 16 persons on several occasions.

Thursday the temperatures climbed way up only minus 14 degrees, and we had the rescheduled Giant Slalom races. It was snowing lightly, but they had good challenging courses for each group level.

After a full day of skiing there was an Après Ski party at the Main Lodge at Ten Peaks. We had some heavy hors d’ouvres and sat around telling tall tales of our experiences on the slopes during the week.

Friday was our last day of skiing, and our last day of racing. The Slalom races were held on Friday, but the Council Challenge was cancelled due to increasingly heavy snowfall. Groups of people were all over the mountain trying to get one last day on the spectacular slopes, exploring the trees and bowls that are everywhere at Lake Louise.

Friday night was the formal Farewell Banquet in the ballroom at the Chateau. They distributed medals for individual races, and then gave out the various awards for group and individual accomplishments. BAC won the overall Council points battle for the three races, with Modesto Ski Club winning for the most club points.

On a personal note, I won a gold and a silver medal for racing during the week, plus I was the winner of the Limbo Contest, allowing my row of tables to get to eat first at the Torchlight Dinner.

Saturday we packed up, checked out, and headed East by bus back to the Calgary Airport for our flights home. It was sad to say goodbye to so many new friends, but we will see each other again at future Far West and BAC events.

A small group continued on to Jasper, Alberta for an additional three days more skiing at Marmot.

I can’t say enough positive things about what a great experience it was to attend the 2004 Far West Ski Week in Lake Louise Alberta Canada. Next year Far West will be going to Aspen / Snowmass, and if you like to ski and have fun, and eat great food, you should seriously consider signing up. That will be the 75th year anniversary for Far West, so it is sure to be a great time. Watch your email and the Far West or Après website for trip details. They are already taking deposits, and the trip will sell out.