Arriving at the airport there were no lines of cars or vans to struggle with and no crowds of people to push and shove with. Instead we pulled up to the front doors, dropped off our luggage, and parked about thirty yards away at long-term parking. Then we went back to our luggage and took it to the check in desk about 20 steps away.

Everyone was on time except Matthew and Teresa Shaber. They were very early. They were offered and accepted an earlier flight, so that they might spend a little more time in Toronto before our flight arrived.

In Toronto while we were waiting for our flight we ran into a few of our Skiwi friends who were having luggage problems. The Skiwi's left Toronto an hour before us but when we arrived in Calgary they were there, still waiting for the lost luggage

The Bus ride to Banff was uneventful and upon arrival at the Traveller's Inn, check in was a breeze. Accommodations were excellent with a great outdoor hot tub. Some of the more energetic people went into town (we were a whole block away from the business district).

Sunday morning most of the group headed for Lake Louise. The snow accumulations in Alberta are as low as the water levels in the Great Lakes. Even so the skiing was decent especially at lower elevations. We had a good first day of skiing. Now back to the Traveller's to try out the hot tub and get ready for our Welcoming Party.

The party was held in the conference room at the Traveller's. We had liquid refreshments and snacks, A good chance to get acquainted with our traveling companions. At the party everyone received a gift certificate to the local steak house.

Monday we were off to Sunshine Village. Sunshine doesn't have snowmaking so conditions were rough. Rocks, ice and closed trails were the norm for the day. After skiing, it's back to the hot tub and a good chicken dinner at the Cave Restaurant.

By Tuesday we know the area and the group is spreading out a bit. Some cross country ski, some sightsee and others plan a day of snowmobiling in British Columbia. We went to Lake Louise where after a day of skiing we enjoyed the Torch Light dinner at the mid mountain restaurant. Entertainment was by the group Suds. They kept us going all night. Kathy Galen took second in the limbo contest, which put us near the front of the food line. After dinner we skied down the mountain with only flares to light our way. Quite an experience.

Wednesday and Thursday the hardcore skiers were using up their lift tickets while others visited the hot springs, Banff Springs Hotel, Chateau Lake Louise, or went shopping. Thursday night eighteen of us went to Bumpers Steak House to use our gift certificates. Most had prime rib and I don't think anyone was disappointed.

On Friday a small group went to Mt. Norquay, 5 minutes outside of Banff. The runs were steep and icy. Karen and Terry experienced skiing with elk and mountain sheep. I was there earlier in the week, but I didn't see any wildlife except for a few of the Skiwi race team. Skiing was a lot of work and after a short day it was back to the hot tub, Saturday the bus left for the airport at 4:30 a.m. Both flights went smoothly and we arrived in Windsor in the daylight

Any trip that goes as smoothly as this one did is, in a large part, due to the cooperation and participation of its members. We wish to say THANK YOU to our great trip members for making this a truly special experience,

MEMBER COMMENTS:

If a picture is worth a thousand words then 360,000 words would equate to the amount of photographs I took on this trip to Banff in the Canadian Rockies. I think 99% of them are of the beautiful mountains there. My favorite is of an elk I shot from about 12 feet away (with a camera). That is probably what I will remember most about this trip,

Alex Murdoch

The best scenery! Bright beautiful clear days. Mild temperatures. Lots of wild life. Lots of stuff to do; town activity. Great hotel location.

Michele Falvey

Chairperson did a great job. Thank you Ted. Everything was wonderful, no complaints. Had a Great Time and met some wonderful people.

Carl Trano

The food was Great! The skiing was Great! The Ted was Great! The country was Great! The Chalet was Great! The shopping was Great! The bus ride was Great! The price was Great! The weather was Great!

Steve Lukas

Great Trip, return time (4:15 a.m.) too early. Nice accommodations, great location, extremely nice people. Snow needed, but better snow conditions than last year- Great price- Banff not a rip off and food was reasonable.

Nancy Denne

Wide variety of skiing: even though the snow was scarce, was interesting. The hot tub parties were also fun and the beer flowed until everyone looked like prunes. Considering the problem filled Skiwi trip, Ted really has a lot of connections which made the GM trip trouble free and Great

Ed Lowe

Banff 2001 - The search for snow. Rock skiing at its best. Even though the snow was thin, There was still plenty of good powdery bump runs, including the back bowl at Lake Louise. It proved you can ski the rocks. Many thanks to the base repair experts at the ski shops in Banff.

Sheldon Wolberg

We have pictures for everyone's viewing pleasure at photopoint.com. You will need to follow these directions:

We had a great time. We saw 5 elk on our walk to the Banff Springs up close and personal, but no cougars' Lake Louise was our favorite. This was our 1^st trip with the club and we found everyone to be friendly and fun! Hope to see everyone on another trip, Thanks

Kathy, Paul, Teresa & Matthew

If only Mother Nature planned as well as Ted, the trip would have been perfect. In addition this was the most economical ski trip we've been on yet! Couple that with good Friends and good times, It doesn't get much better.

No Name

Thank you for a wonderful ski trip! We liked all of your smart choices: flying out of Windsor an in town hotels, Bumpers gift certificate, suggested ski locations, and saving us each $200 over other ski club trips. Hope to ski with you and Leslie again! Thanks!!