Ski 2009 – Canadian v’s European Resorts

Canada and Europe continually attract skiers and snowboarders from the UK but the age old question keeps popping up, which is best? We’ve compared two less well know resorts but they are two that are very special; to examine what each has to offer for a winter holiday experience. So it’s Fernie, Canada, versus Mayrhofen, Austria…

Fernie has a well established reputation throughout Canada and the US for being a demanding resort with enough powder to quench the thirst of any powder hound. However, its reputation amongst Europeans is not so huge with only a knowledgeable few fully aware of its esteemed reputation. The Austrian resort of Mayrhofen is similar with very few outside of Europe being aware of what it has to offer to skiers and snowboarders alike. The annual music festival of ‘Snowbombing’ is a feast of fine musical talent combined with a multitude of events and enough piste and park to keep you more than entertained.

So, which is better? Not an easy question to answer with each resort having various strengths to satisfy the needs of skiers and snowboarders.

Snowfall:
With 1118cms of snow falling in the 2007/2008 season Fernie dominates Mayrhofen on quantity of snow; in fact it dominates most of the world. There really is no comparison, with over 40 days of powder last season it truly is a snow lover’s paradise. Amazingly the lift queues in Fernie are often very small even on a powder day, meaning there are less people to share all that powder with and more for you!

Freestyle:
For those freestyle gurus Mayrhofen has a Vans sponsored park with a huge range of features for every ability and taste, and is open late into the season. The natural hits of Fernie and the terrain park are good fun but can not really compete with the specially crafted and shaped parks of Mayrhofen.

Après-Ski:
In terms of nightlife there is quite a contrast. The chilled out über cool bars in town and slope-side of Fernie attract seasonaires from around the world who are looking for live music from celebrated artists. This is in stark contrast to the lively 1980’s throwback après bars of Mayrhofen, pumping out Euro-pop anthems as you walk off the slope. They are a great way to end a day on the slopes and the Snowbombing music festival is an event not to be missed!

So which is better?
Each resort has fantastic attributes and it really comes down to the wire.
For fantastic powder; challenging terrain and a laid back funky vibe you should head to Fernie.
For easy access from the UK; great après-ski and freestyle head to Mayrhofen.

It’s a tough call but since great snow is what we all head to the mountains for we give vote Fernie as the best. If you are ever in Europe, make sure you check out Mayrhofen though.