UBC v U of Alberta

[Sit]

I've got the opportunity to go on exchange from NZ to Canada, from Jan - April 2015. I can go to either UBC (not sure which campus, I only find that out after I get accepted), or University of Alberta. My question is, which one has better, more accessible skiing? I will be poor so can't blow much money on road trips etc. Chur.

 

[alpaclarry]

UBC is way closer to skiing. U of A is 4 hours away from any good mountains where as UBC main campus is like half an hour or less.

 

[hue.]

Can't speak for U of A but UBC is definitely sick, 600$ for a whistler season pass, and there's always someone driving up on weekends, or there's a bus. And you can take public transit to grouse, and if you buy a y2play pass the skiing is pretty cheap. PM if you want more details,

 

[Rusticles]

U of A is in Edmonton, it's 4 hours from any mountains and it's really cold most of the winter. The closest mountains don't always have good snow conditions. There are some small parks around the city that are pretty decent considering their in the prairie. Don't know if it's an option but U of Calgary is closer to the mountains.

 

[VD.]

UBC seem to have a really active ski and board club. Plus Vancouver is a really decent city. In terms of proximity to skiing, you've got Grouse, Cypress and Seymour all within a hours drive from the UBC area. Beyond that you've got Whistler which is 2 hours from downtown and Baker too, if you want to deal with crossing the border.

As for the Okanagan campus, there's skiing nearby, but it's very average. The Okanagan is a semi-arid desert so the seasons are pretty short and the terrain isn't that interesting. Although the snow is unbelievably light, it's certainly the lightest stuff I've ever skied. I can't really comment on what it's like spending time in Kelowna, but driving through there on two separate occasions there didn't seem to be too much going on.

 

[_DUSTY_]

UBC will be better. U of A is a decent drive from any mountain. UBC is closer and with more consistently better skiing. The Okanagan campus is pretty close to Big White, I've only skied there once and the snow was awesome. If you end up going to U of A hit me up and I'll show you around some of the local mountains.

 

[Sit]

Cheers for the feedback guys, you have confirmed my suspicions about UBC being the way to go. Vancouver is pretty expensive to live in though right?

Don't know if it's an option but U of Calgary is closer to the mountains.

I don't think it is an option, it seems to just be those two or esat coast stuff like Queens or McGill.

UBC seem to have a really active ski and board club. Plus Vancouver is a really decent city. In terms of proximity to skiing, you've got Grouse, Cypress and Seymour all within a hours drive from the UBC area. Beyond that you've got Whistler which is 2 hours from downtown and Baker too, if you want to deal with crossing the border.

That sounds pretty tight, is it possible to get public transport to the Vancouver mountains? They all look ridiculously close to the city on Google maps

 

[Download-My-Apps]

Cheers for the feedback guys, you have confirmed my suspicions about UBC being the way to go. Vancouver is pretty expensive to live in though right?

I don't think it is an option, it seems to just be those two or esat coast stuff like Queens or McGill.

That sounds pretty tight, is it possible to get public transport to the Vancouver mountains? They all look ridiculously close to the city on Google maps

I would say the overall experience in Vancouver would be better than in Edmonton. You can take transit to grouse but its a bitch. The mountains are fairly close in distance, but there is no fast route on the road you have to drive right through the heart of the city, which by car is easily 35-45minutes or 1:15-1:45 by bus.

Finding rides to Whistler from campus isn't that bad, you just gotta become friends with the people with cars as long as you're willing to drop $15-20 to chip in for gas.

 

[Blurst]

Dog just come to Bishop's university. Shred the East instead, and have the time of your life!

 

[VD.]

That sounds pretty tight, is it possible to get public transport to the Vancouver mountains? They all look ridiculously close to the city on Google maps

From memory the buses to Grouse and Cypress run from Lonsdale Quay, so you'll need to get the ferrything (it has a name but I can't remember it) over to North Vancouver from the city, but that's not to much of a hassle at all really.

 

[-WZ-]

UBC seem to have a really active ski and board club. Plus Vancouver is a really decent city. In terms of proximity to skiing, you've got Grouse, Cypress and Seymour all within a hours drive from the UBC area. Beyond that you've got Whistler which is 2 hours from downtown and Baker too, if you want to deal with crossing the border.

As for the Okanagan campus, there's skiing nearby, but it's very average. The Okanagan is a semi-arid desert so the seasons are pretty short and the terrain isn't that interesting. Although the snow is unbelievably light, it's certainly the lightest stuff I've ever skied. I can't really comment on what it's like spending time in Kelowna, but driving through there on two separate occasions there didn't seem to be too much going on.

Since i live in Kelowna, this is more or less spot on. Our season ends next weekend, and theres basically 2 main hills if you want to ski park, Silverstar or Big White. Personally i like Silverstar's park more & they got an airbag this year. Aside from skiing in the summer we have a lake which is fun as fuck, and great biking, hiking and basically any other outdoor activity. Definitely reccomend but if you can go to UBC in Vancouver, Whistler is alot better

 

[hemlockjibber8]

From memory the buses to Grouse and Cypress run from Lonsdale Quay, so you'll need to get the ferrything (it has a name but I can't remember it) over to North Vancouver from the city, but that's not to much of a hassle at all really.

The Seabus gets you to the Quay.

 

[will_powder]

I'm from Edmonton, and I currently go to UBC in Vancouver.

Edmonton

Pros: Park laps on park laps. The hills are tiny but there's a bunch of them right in the city and fairly accessible by transit. Also if you have any interest in urban, Edmonton typically gets a ton of snow every year, and has great urban. Shots from Edmonton have been in most major ski/SB films in the last few years. UofA is an awesome school too. Nice campus with old buildings, right on the edge of the river valley with awesome views. It's also cheaper to rent in Edmonton.

Cons: 4 hour drive from either Banff or Jasper to get to the mountains. But Sunshine, Louise, and Marmot have some of the highest quality, dry snow in the country. I grew up on these resorts, they're seriously awesome.

Vancouver

Pros: Whistler. Best resort on planet earth is 2 hours away. Need I say more... I also ski at Grouse, and take public transit there twice a week for some night park shredding. Takes anywhere between 1-1.5 hours each way. DON"T TAKE THE SEABUS. Wayyyyyy slower 95% of the time. Y2play passes for grouse are also 279$ this year which is a sick deal. Also Grouse usually sells a night pass at the Ski and Board show in the fall for about $150. UBC is an awesome place. Right on the ocean, balmy weather, sick SnB events, cool buildings, etc etc.

Cons: Rent/costs of living are higher. Expect to pay between 600-900 for a single room in a house anywhere even somewhat close to campus.

Go to UBC.

PM me if you need more help!

 

[ShredMasterPlus]

Edmonton blows, worked up there for a few months this year horrible town horrible place horrible, bad weather shitty city. Vancouver is awesome, whistler is like an hour and a half drive or so since they put the new highway in, mt baker isn't to far from what I've heard. local mountains closer as well for days you don't have much travel time. Even driving to the interior is only like a 5hour drive so if you wanted to check that out its a bit of a trip but if you had a week it would be a highly recommended road trip. I'm not a city person at all but Vancouver is the only one I could see myself actually living in.

 

[Rusticles]

Edmonton blows, worked up there for a few months this year horrible town horrible place horrible, bad weather shitty city. Vancouver is awesome, whistler is like an hour and a half drive or so since they put the new highway in, mt baker isn't to far from what I've heard. local mountains closer as well for days you don't have much travel time. Even driving to the interior is only like a 5hour drive so if you wanted to check that out its a bit of a trip but if you had a week it would be a highly recommended road trip. I'm not a city person at all but Vancouver is the only one I could see myself actually living in.

I live in edmonton and I'd agree with most of this

 

[gnarles.]

i just did my first year at UBC okanagan campus and the skiing is great. you have big white and silverstar which are 45mins away then you have revy and red which are like 3-4 hours away. Van is sweet to because of whistler and grouse park kills it. both are pretty sweet but screw alberta

 

[TheBigApple]

Been at U of C for 7 years, great school, great location, and only 10 minutes to a solid park and about 90 minutes to some great resorts.

 

[Kervyn]

Van is definitely tight, especially with whis and what not. However UBCO is still super sick because of how accessible it is to ride. From campus to big white is 40 minutes, silverstar is about an hour. Revvy is about 3.5 hours. There is a super solid crew of skiers here and it's easy to get to the hill.If you can't get a ride there is a weekly bus from the campus bus loop to both Big white and silverstar

 

[Kervyn]

Van is definitely tight, especially with whis and what not. However UBCO is still super sick because of how accessible it is to ride. From campus to big white is 40 minutes, silverstar is about an hour. Revvy is about 3.5 hours. There is a super solid crew of skiers here and it's easy to get to the hill.If you can't get a ride there is a weekly bus from the campus bus loop to both Big white and silverstar

 

[Caleb.E]

the thing is he might get accepted to Vancouver or their Ogden campus. And if you applied later or some weird thing happened you most likely be at ogden as Vancouver spots fill super fast.

 

[Download-My-Apps]

the thing is he might get accepted to Vancouver or their Ogden campus. And if you applied later or some weird thing happened you most likely be at ogden as Vancouver spots fill super fast.

Ahh yes no one wants to be at Ogden that place sucks, full of racists.

The Okanogan, however, is still much closer to skiing than Edmonton. Big White, Silver Star and Revelostoke all nearish.

 

[Logan.]

U of A seems to be pretty far from anything good.

UBC is really close to three pretty good mountains (Grouse best deal, then Seymour). And is kinda close to the best mountain you'll probably ever ski on (Whistler, duh). If you make the right friends rides could be very accessible.

 

[mvf]

UBC.

Don't be a kook.