End User

I'm planning a trip with some friends from Down Under to the US, for some sight seeing, then to Canada (for some snowboarding) in Jan/Feb '05.
So far, the general itinerary goes something like:
- Fly from Oz to LA
- Fly from LA to Las Vegas
- Fly from Las Vegas to NY
- Fly from NY to Canada
- Fly from Canada back to Oz.

What we are having trouble determining is how much all this flying is going to cost us. Will it be cheaper to book all the flights here in Oz, or wait till we get to the US and book domestic flights?

Also, where else besides, LA, Las Vegas and NY should we go?
We probably have about 2 weeks total in the US, then one week in Canada.

Bob Biter

Where in Canada? Do you have cities planned? If not, head for the Rockies (British Columbia or Alberta) for all your snowboarding needs. It's the one of the best places for that. However, this will take you from the East coast to closer to the West coast, so you might want to check out what's available in Quebec (the province North of New York) to save on flight costs. The Laurentian mountains North of Montreal are incredible at this time of year, plus you get to learn/brush up on French. It's a win-win.

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clavus

LA to Vegas - fly Southwest from the airport in Burbank or Ontario (They are both in Los Angeles)

You might get a cheap flight from Vegas to NY (Islip) on Southwest as well.

www.southwest.com

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sherpahigh

If you're coming all the way from Australia to Canada to go skiing you might as well see the real deal here out west. Depending on your skills and what you're looking for I'd recommend a hill around Banff or Fernie. I was just down at a resort called Castle mountain this weekend and it was incredible. Over 170 cms of fresh snow fell during the week making for some great powder skiing. The rockies are what you want to see though. But that's just my opinion. I live here.

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End User

My friends and I were thinking of Whistler, as that seems to be the most popular one, or at least the one the Travel agents keep trying to sell us...

But we have also heard good things about Banff, which is what sherpahigh has recommended....

Does Southwest do flights from Vegas to NY? I couldnt find it on their website..... I assumed I would have to fly another airline because southwest only has routes in the southwest

Can anyone see any advantage in doing the trip backwards (in a way)
ie. Canada > NY > Vegas > LA.....?

bundy

end user,

if i were in your shoes, i'd be wanting to book everything here. well ahead of departure.
i've heard so many horror stories of people getting stranded, screwed and forgotten on American domestic routes.
i'd want to be as organised as possible. before i got there.

however, as far as price goes, its probably going to be more exxy if you do it all here. as in there are probably far cheaper deals going on domestic US routes over there.

i'm a bit anal about organising stuff like that. so i'd want to be safe and organise it all here.

as for places... for two weeks, i think thats all i'd cram in for the US (maybe San Fran, but maybe thats just too far out of your way).

i'm jealous. i'd love to see Vegas and NY... sounds like you guys are going to have a blast.
enjoy.

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kulrblind

Flights from Toronto to BC are not cheap, unfortunately... you may wish to do your skiing/snowboarding in Quebec; won't be nearly the same as the Rockies, but still pretty good. Banff, Jasper, Fernie...all great places out west, but definitely not "on the way" to anything.

Mind you, if you're heading west in Canada, you could work your way down the Pacific Coast and fly back to Australia from California.

Enjoy your trip!

Bossnass

I am someone who has skied quite a bit. A few excursions in the US, (Utah, Idaho, and new england), several times in Quebec (and a bit in Ontario), a few times at Whistler/Blackcomb, and a whole bunch throughout BC and Alberta.

I would stay away from east Canadian hills. In my expereince, the snow is like cement - comes down thick and heavy and becomes concrete solid. Although I am Canadian, if you want to snowboard on the east coast, hit Maine. I've been on a roadtrip that started in New York, drove up the coast and staying in Boston for a night, then did some skiing in Maine at a great place called Sunday River (best conditions I've found in the east). Another half day of driving and we were in Montreal, which I reccomend to any group of guys that are in the area. (granted you'll also be hitting vegas)

The best snow I've found was in Utah, but also some of the most expensive. The best terrain and parks and all out awesomness goes to Whistler/Blackcomb, but again things were pretty expensive. My favorite hill is Lake Louise, located in the best looking mountains in the world, about two hours from Calgary, which is incidentaly a nice international airport. There are lots of smaller but still great (and affordable) hills throughout BC, but none are really easily accessable for a travelling crew.

So get on the snow in the east US or Alberta based. Flights across Canada can be found pretty cheap through WestJet. And in my somewhat recent expereince, Canadian airports have been friendlier to those amoung us without an American passport.
I did a Montreal-Calgary trip (with a no-extra cost hop to edmonton) in October for $CAN$159 one way

I say LA fly to NY drive to Montreal fly cheap to Calgary, fly to Vegas and call it a trip. And if you ski in maine, you can eliminate the Canadian leg. (Of course, I recommend travel anywhere in Canada, but I know there is better skiing/snowboarding elsewhere)

frankgrimes

nothing against NY City, but if you cut that out, you can concentrate on western North America and save quite a bit on flight costs. Its a big continent and plenty to do and see in 3 weeks, just sticking to the Western bit. I guarantee you won't be disappointed in the snowboarding in Whistler, as well as the nightlife etc there. Its also near Vancouver which is worth spending some time in.

JohnnyRoyale

tickets might be cheaper domestically, but you might have problems because of security restrictions. Since your buying closer to the flight, prices will (sometimes) drop pretty quick as the flight gets closer.
One thing to look at, is midweek, midday flights. Since most people want to fly in the morning or at night, the mid day flights can be cheaper.

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jimk

i love my city, but it's ass-cold in the months you'll be here. check out new orleans - you won't be disappointed!

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EskimoDave

Eww, Whistler sucks.

Whistler is a vacation place for rich people. That is all.

splck

Whistler is fantastic...
I dunno, my friends and I go there and we are not rich...mebbe you don't look for deals? You don't have to be rich, just spend wisely.

The interior mountain resorts like Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Big White, Apex and many others are less expensive and have great skiing.

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Averett

Banff is so beautiful. I'd love to go there again some day.

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