The Majesty of Banff and its Incredible Nature: Santiago Ricardez

The trip to Banff had been planned for a long time, but I hadn't initially planned to go. However, my desire to ski, something I had never done before, grew stronger. Two weeks before the trip, I was convinced and decided to join. I bought all the necessary equipment and we headed to Banff, a small town in Alberta, Canada. I arrived just a day early to take ski lessons and then met up with the Aletazul group.

The trip was in winter and temperatures were extreme, reaching -25°C. To prepare myself, in addition to the classes, I watched many videos on YouTube and asked for advice. I bought specialized snow clothing, such as jumpers and thermal underwear, while we rented the ski equipment there. With my kit complete and ready, I entered into one of the most incredible experiences of my life.

Banff is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The first impression was unforgettable: waking up between two mountain ranges, with everything covered in white and caribou in the landscape.

Every day we visited a different ski resort, each one more impressive than the last. The weather was perfect every day, with clear skies and no wind, a phenomenon known as "bluebird."

We stayed for a week and besides skiing, we spent time doing photography. I took my photography equipment with me, always ready to capture those unique landscapes. I used my Aletazul backpack to store the camera and other accessories, which made it much easier to transport. One of the most memorable days was when we visited Lake Louise, completely frozen and surrounded by mountains.

The local wildlife also left me speechless. The first day we woke up in Banff, we opened the window of our cabin and saw around 50 caribou right outside. I took the opportunity to take many photos, enjoying every moment. We also saw other animals such as owls, eagles and foxes, species that are not found in Mexico.

As for the necessary equipment, I wore thermal underwear and the bamboo Pro long Sleeve shirt every day. This combination kept me at a perfect temperature while skiing. I also used the Aletazul TOHF to protect my nose from the cold and the Drymate backpack to carry my essentials, including my passport and other documents, which helped me stay organized and stress-free.

This trip was transformative. Skiing has become my favorite sport because of its combination of speed, nature and adrenaline. Finding myself in those landscapes filled me with gratitude and greatly inspired my passion for photography. I feel lucky to have lived this experience with Aletazul, discovering new places and challenges.

For those interested in a similar trip, I highly recommend Banff . It's an accessible destination, especially if you plan well and split it up between friends. Getting to the lift early and purchasing the Daypass are also helpful tips to make the most of your day. Banff is a destination that may seem expensive, but with the right preparation, it can be an amazing and accessible experience.