No Way Norquay!

After two days of skiing we opted for a sleep in and ventured up to Norquay mid morning. Much to our disappointment tubing wasn’t due to start for another week so we decided to tackle the bunny hill as a family. It wasn’t a good idea. We had grand illusions of picking up skiing quickly. I mean, how hard can it be. After two days at Sunshine and the kids successfully completing two days of lessons we should easily glide down the hill all together. Cue hysterical laughter! The reality was a little different. Ad and I could handle the bunny hill without too much trouble, if we only had ourselves to worry about. The kids believed they were now Olympic downhill champions, refusing our help and wanting to be left to ski themselves. With the beginnings of an epic tantrum brewing we got to the bottom of the slope and admitted defeat opting instead to play in the snow. The kids found a nice mound of snow to slide down, made snow angels and threw snowballs at each other. After an early lunch we waved Norquay goodbye along with skiing. We enjoyed the challenge and our days at Sunshine but were happy to quit while we were ahead before sustaining any busted knees or any other major injuries.

We called in quickly to our hotel and grabbed our togs and headed up to the Banff Hot Springs for the afternoon. What better way to ease our sore ski bodies and battered egos than a soak in hot mineral water! It was so relaxing to wallow in the 38 degree steaming water while snow lay around the pool, gazing up at the white mountains. Aubrey made a little friend, another girl traveling with her family from Chicago. After our soak we came home via the Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel and Bow Falls. We wandered taking in the grandeur of the historic hotel. Opened in 1888 and now declared a national historical site by the Canadian government the hotel is a castle on the mountainside located at the junction of the Bow and Spray Rivers boasting sweeping views of the valley.