The Lane's next BIG trip: Day 9. Banff. Saturday 28th December

With three ski fields close by and only 1 day left in Banff before we go into the USA, Andrew, Jacob and Cameron headed to Banff Norquay Ski field. We arrived to a fast filling car park and soon found out that today (Saturday 28^th December) was expected to be the busiest day of the year with heaps of Calgarians up for the weekend. Being 'highly experienced' skiers we decided that lessons weren’t required as it was only in September that we had last skied - September 2006 that is! We went to the hire shop to get the necessary equipment and came out looking and feeling like we should be representing Australia in the Winter Olympics! After looking at the ski field map to consider what black run to start the day with we thought that we’d have a bigger audience, to demonstrate our superior skills, if we hit the mighty Magic Carpet and beginners slope. That was well positioned right in front of the lodge with hundreds of spectators and what seemed like hundreds of Australian Ski Instructors. The first task was to get on and off the magic carpet looking cool. Tick. Next, carve down the slope looking cool (while occasionally having a lay down on the snow, sometimes without skies attached and poles meters away). Tick. Finally, ski into other people that didn't have the skills to move away fast enough. Tick. After a couple of hours, the show had to finish and we swanned into the lodge for some lunch. I’m sure it went quiet when we walked in. After lunch Cam decided that he didn’t want the Canadians seeing anymore of his repertoire, so he sat back and kept warm in the lodge while Andrew and Jacob thought, that going up the mountain and away from prying eyes, was the better option. We used the chairlift to climb to the top of the ~~shortest run~~ mountain. (The oxygen deficient atmosphere made them both pant and shake a little.) On the way down Jake really wanted to have a good look at the texture of the snow in a number of places and even thought he’d get in some javelin practice by using the skies and poles. Andrew also decided that he needed to practice sitting down in case a game of ‘musical bobs’ suddenly started. At the bottom Jake choose to go back to where the crowds could watch him on the mighty Magic Carpet while Andrew went back to the top and managed a few runs down, trouble free, before the chairlift closed for the day at 4pm. It was a great fun day, frustrating at times but worth the experience. Next time – lessons!

Christine and Chelsea spent a very relaxing day walking Banff Avenue looking in all the shops. The after Christmas sales were on and they managed to find a few bargains. Chelsea bought 3 pairs of shoes for $15 and a skirt and both bought some Christmas decorations from the most beautiful and extensive Christmas shop they had seen. Christine considered buying a $8500 fur coat but after some discussion with Chelsea they decided it wouldn't fit in the suitcase. They headed back to the resort and Christine popped a load of washing on. We all had one final soak in the hot pool and got take-away pizza for tea. We started to pack our bags and then retired in front of the TV to watch 'Yes Man' with Jim Carrey with a beautiful open fire crackling in the background and the snow falling gently outside.