In reply to UKC Articles:
Great article. Definately start at Bow to warm you up so to speak and just a couple of other bits of info.
Switching gear in Canmore usually has loads of second hand kit at reasonable prices: (also a great soup cafe next door)
http://switchinggearinc.org/about-us/
And if you want/need partners or more area info, look on gravsports:
http://www.gravsports-ice.com/icethreads/
Den