You’ve booked your spot on one of our ski or snowboard courses — the countdown to fresh tracks, nonstop progression, and après good times has officially begun.

While we can’t stop you from buying just one more beanie, we can help you get a clear picture of what to budget for.

This Budget Guide covers the essentials — food, drinks, tipping, money management, and a few insider tricks we’ve picked up from years of living the mountain life.

Everyone’s spending habits are different, so it’s tricky to give an exact figure for how much you’ll need. As a general guide, most guests budget between C$250–C$300 per week.

Some find this more than enough, while others can get through it in just a couple of lively nights out.

Lunch

• On the hill: $20–$25
• Homemade packed lunch: $5

Nonstop Tip: You’ll need to provide your own lunch each day. If you want to save, stock up at the supermarket and prepare something you can eat at the day lodge. Microwaves and hot water are free to use — perfect for soups, pasta, or a hot chocolate.

Dinner

• Budget: $15–$20 (fast food, takeaway pizza)
• Mid-range: $20–$30 (sit-down burger, pizza, pasta)
• Fine dining: $30+ (steakhouse, upscale restaurants)

Nonstop Tip: You don’t have to eat out on all your non-included meal days — our accommodations are set up for culinary creativity, perfect for cooking up a storm with your course mates. In Fernie, you’ll have access to the communal guest kitchen at Red Tree Lodge; in Banff, you can fire up the BBQs and outdoor gas hobs at Irwin’s Mountain Inn.

Drinks

• Water: Free – bring a reusable bottle!
• Carbonated drinks: $3.50
• Bottled water, juice, soft drinks: $3–$4.50
• Coffee/tea: $2+
• Pint of beer: $5–$8
• Jug of beer: $12–$17
• Glass of wine: $7–$12
• Spirits, mixer: $6–$10

Nonstop Tip: Happy hours are your friend. Check local boards, ask your host, or follow bars on social media — deals pop up all the time.

Tipping is part of the culture in Canada and not included in the price you pay.

• Restaurants: 15–20% of your bill
• Bars: $1–$2 per drink
• Other services: Haircuts, taxis, guiding, instruction

Nonstop Tip: Budget $20/week to tip your coach — usually given at the end of the week with the rest of your group. And be ready to tip guides if you go cat-skiing, backcountry touring, or snowmobiling.

Note that we’ve already taken care of tips for hotel and restaurant staff serving your included meals.

Cash vs. Cards

Bring some cash for tips and small purchases, but keep the bulk of your money on a travel-friendly card — safer than carrying cash, easier to top up, and usually much cheaper than using your everyday bank card abroad.

Popular options include:

• Caxton FX – prepaid travel card with no overseas ATM fees and an easy-to-use app.
• Revolut – multi-currency account with great exchange rates, instant top-ups, and spending analytics.
• Monzo – app-based bank with no foreign transaction fees and instant spending notifications.
• Wise (formerly TransferWise) – low conversion fees, holds multiple currencies, transparent rates.

Nonstop Tip: Look for a card with online or mobile banking so you can track spending in real time. Compare ATM withdrawal limits and fees before you choose — and have a backup card in case one is lost or blocked.

Mountain towns are full of hidden saving hacks — you just have to know where to look. These sites will help you sniff out the best offers while you’re here:

• Fernie: Tourism Fernie – local events, specials, and seasonal offers.
• Banff: Taxi Mike – updated with food, drink, and nightlife deals.

Nonstop Tip: Keep an eye on noticeboards in coffee shops and ski lodges — they’re the unofficial newsfeed of the mountains.

You’ll have no problem staying connected:

• Free Wi-Fi in all our hotels and houses.
• Free Wi-Fi in ski hill day lodges.
• Most local cafes, bars, and restaurants also offer it.

Avoid big roaming charges:

• Use Wi-Fi and free apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.
• Always turn off data roaming.
• Need to call landlines? Use an international calling card — cheapest option by far.

Nonstop Tip: If you want to use your phone normally in Canada, consider adding an international package to your existing plan — local SIMs and contracts can be pricey.

Bring a credit card for emergencies — Canadian law requires you to have instant access to funds for medical treatment.

Typical Non-Resident Costs:

• Emergency room visit: ~$1,100 (includes lab work & x-rays)
• Ambulance ride: $500–$800
• Walk-in clinic visit: ~$200

Nonstop Tip: You’ll usually pay upfront and claim back from your insurance. For major bills like surgery or hospital stays, insurers often pay the hospital directly.

• Après Budget: Decide your weekly drinks spend before your first night out — and try to stick to it.

• Gear Temptations: If you’re looking to upgrade your kit — plan ahead and budget for it. Hunt for last season’s models on sale or wait for those end-of-season deals.

• Packed Lunches and Group Cooking: Saves money, fuels adventures.

• Reusable Bottles: Fill up and skip buying water.