Canada
Canada offers skiers sensational value and spectacular scenery. It has a huge and diverse range of ski resorts to chose from – some are renowned for their steep & deep chutes, while others are ideal for affordable family holidays.
The winters in Canada are long and provide a ski & snowboard playground from the end of November through to April.
Accommodation choices range from budget lodges and moderate hotels or self contained apartments ("condos") right through to top of the line luxury properties.
WHISTLER & BLACKCOMB
Whistler and Blackcomb are two huge mountains inter-linked by a pedestrian village. Together these two giants provide 3307 hectares of ski terrain, a lift serviced vertical drop of close to 1,615 m, runs up to 11km long, twelve bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails – steep powder chutes, challenging mogul fields, secluded tree skiing and endless perfectly groomed easy cruising runs.
Due to open December 2008 is the Peak to Peak Gondola offering easy access to both mountains.
Accommodation is spilt between five areas. Most villages are adjacent to high speed lifts to ensure fast and direct mountain access or a regular shuttle service to the lift base. Whistler has over 200 shops and a huge number of restaurants, bars and nightspots.
Location
Whistler Blackcomb is located in the Coast Mountain Range, British Columbia and is 138 kms from Vancouver International Airport.
Access
A scheduled coach transfer, a private limousine transfer with a meet & greet or a rental car can easily be pre-booked.
Resort Information
Beginner – 18%
Intermediate – 55%
Advanced – 27%
Number of lifts – 39
Av annual snowfall – 10.2m
Highest Lifted point – 2,284m
Vertical drop – 1,609m
Longest run – 11km
Runs – 200
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BANFF & LAKE LOUISE
Banff & Lake Louise share 3 ski areas located in the most spectacular part of the Canadian Rockies. They are all interlinked by a free shuttle bus from the two resort towns. With over 7,500 acres of ski terrain, there is everything on offer from groomed runs, to light dry powder.
Sunshine Village has been offering uncrowded slopes and abundant snowfall for 80 years. It is renowned for its lengthy season from mid-November until late May and is just 15 minutes free shuttle bus ride from the resort town of Banff.
Lake Louise ski area is North America’s largest with over 11 square miles of alpine powder bowls, wide forested slopes and a Gondola – definitely a world-class resort.
Norquay has been the ski area for Banff locals since 1926. Just minutes from Banff town, Norquay is a great family resort with terrain for all levels plus night skiing.
Choose accommodation in either in Banff or Lake Louise or split your stay between the two. Banff Township has great shopping, non-ski activities and plenty of apres ski action with over 100 bars and restaurants. The village of Lake Louise is quieter, but still has a good selection of restaurants and bars.
Location
Calgary International Airport is the closest airport to the resort towns of Banff (140 kms), and Lake Louise (194kms).
Access
Shuttle transfers or a rental car can easily be pre-booked with your package.
Getting Around: Free transfers from your hotel to each of the 3 ski areas are included with your interchangeable multi-day Tri-Area lift ticket.
Resort Information
Beginner – 23%
Intermediate – 39%
Advanced – 38%
Number of lifts – 30
Av annual snowfall – 3-9m
Highest Lifted point – 2,730m
Vertical drop – 1,070m
Longest run – 8km
Runs – 251
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BIG WHITE
Big White is Canada’s largest totally ski-in/ski-out resort. With an average of 7.5 meters of champagne powder snow annually it has become one of the most popular resorts in Canada.
The 1,133 uncrowded hectares offer immaculate cruising runs, five powder bowls; famous snow ghosts and endless lines through the trees give a variety of terrain from beginner to expert.
The “{Snow Ghost Express” meets the world renowned reputation of providing guests with some of the shortest lift wait times in the industry.
Big White was named North America’s best family resort with an award winning Kids Centre and many on-snow activities. The modern village has a good number of restaurants and après ski options. It also offers a range of activities such as tubing, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and ice skating. Big White lift passes are also valid at Silver Star.
Location
Big White is 56 kms southeast of Kelowna, the largest city in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.
Access
Shuttle transfers from the Kelowna Airport or a rental car can easily be pre-booked.
Getting Around: Big White’s Main Street is actually a ski run, where guests can ski to their doorstep or stroll through the village shopping and dining in world-class restaurants and pubs.
There is also an On Mountain Shuttle that runs on a half hour schedule leaving from the Village Centre Mall on the hour and half hour.
From Big White you can experience Silver Star Resort for the day using the inter-mountain day trip shuttle and your dual mountain liftpass.
Resort Information
Beginner – 18%
Intermediate – 54%
Advanced – 28%
Number of lifts – 16
Av annual snowfall – 7.2m
Highest Lifted point – 2,319m
Vertical drop – 777m
Longest run – 7.2km
Runs – 118
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SILVER STAR
Silver Star is located on a sunny plateau of British Columbia's Okanagan Highland where over 7m of light, dry powder snow falls annually.
The mountain has two distinct faces with Vance Creek’s immaculately groomed cruising runs and Putnam Creek’s thrilling black diamond runs.
The new Silver Woods high speed quad and Alpine Meadows chairlift have opened up over 400 acres of new terrain.
The focal point of Silver Star is the colourful mid-mountain village, built in the style of an 1890’s western Canadian frontier town.
The many other winter activities on offer include ice-skating, snow shoeing, tubing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, indoor rock climbing, sleigh rides and Nordic skiing. A dual mountain lift pass allows you to ski both Silver Star and Big White.
Location
Silver Star Resort is located on a sunny plateau of the Okanagan Highland. Kelowna’s International Airport is located just over an hour’s shuttle journey from the resort.
Access
Shuttle transfers from the Kelowna Airport or a rental car can easily be pre-booked.
Getting Around: Many of the Silver Star accommodation locations are ski in/ski out but if required, a complimentary Resort Shuttle operates every half hour between accommodation and the slopes.
From Silver Star you can experience Big White Ski Resort for the day using the inter-mountain day trip shuttle (paid direct) and your dual mountain liftpass (included).
Resort Information
Beginner – 20%
Intermediate – 50%
Advanced – 30%
Number of lifts – 12
Av annual snowfall – 7m
Highest Lifted point – 1,915m
Vertical drop – 760m
Longest run – 8km
Runs – 115
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SUN PEAKS
This one-time local skiers’ haven has become an award winning destination resort with Canada’s 3rd largest ski area and three mountains to choose from.
Sun Peaks has almost 3,000 vertical feet of skiing, huge powder bowls, beautiful gladed areas and miles of uncrowded groomed trails. It is known for plenty of sunshine and it caters equally well for skiers, boarders and families.
With slopeside accommodation and several restaurants & bars for après ski, it is a great destination.
Location
Centrally located in southern British Columbia, only a 45 minute drive from Kamloops.
Access
Shuttle transfers or a rental car can easily be pre-booked. The central location means that Sun Peaks is also able to be easily linked by bus with Vancouver and the other ski destinations of Whistler, Silver Star and Big White.
Getting Around: Sun Peaks Resort is easy to get around. The charming ski-through alpine village at the base of the slopes gives you access to chairlifts, hotels, eateries, shopping, sports school, the spa, and a variety of activities.
Resort Information
Beginner – 10%
Intermediate – 58%
Advanced – 32%
Number of lifts – 12
Av annual snowfall – 5.6m
Highest Lifted point – 2,152m
Vertical drop – 881m
Longest run – 8km
Runs – 122
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FERNIE
Fernie is located in the southeast corner of British Columbia and in an extremely picturesque part of the Canadian Rockies.
The region receives very high snowfalls (avg 8.5 mtrs), but often with milder temperatures than elsewhere in Canada. Fernie is as steep as you want it to be with a variety of terrain that includes countless glades & chutes plus 5 large bowls that descend from above the tree-line.
Welcome Nights: Fernie Alpine Resort offers Welcome Nights throughout the winter at the Slopeside Cafe. Enjoy a glass of wine, meet a number of activity operators and winter sports school staff plus get the inside scoop on Fernie’s events and programmes.
There is good on-mountain accommodation or you can stay 5km away in the township of Fernie. Fernie is not a glitzy ski area but there are plenty of good and affordable, bars and restaurants – and the powder snow is something else.
Location
Fernie Alpine Resort is located in the south-east corner of the B.C. Rockies about a 1.25 hour drive from Cranbrook Airport or a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary Airport. The ski resort is 5 km from the City of Fernie.
Access
Shuttle transfers or a rental car can easily be pre-booked.
Getting Around: If required, a local shuttle operates between downtown Fernie and the Ski Resort 16 times daily in winter - one way approx $AUD3.00
Resort Information
Beginner – 30%
Intermediate – 40%
Advanced – 30%
Number of lifts – 10
Av annual snowfall – 8.75m
Highest Lifted point – 1,925m
Vertical drop – 857m
Longest run – 5km
Runs – 107
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PANORAMA
Panorama is situated on the edge of the Bugaboo Mountains and has 2,847 patrolled acres and over 1200 meters of vertical drop.
There is a wide variety of terrain with runs that range from the exceptional extreme to well groomed intermediate slopes, ideal for easy cruising. It also boasts the biggest terrain park in the Rockies.
With mostly uncrowded skiing, it receives very light, dry snow. Off the mountain there is also a wide variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options.
New: Recently expanded terrain includes the former heliski area – Taynton Bowl and 2 new quad chairs have made Panorama a T-bar free zone.
Location
Calgary International Airport - (3.5 hrs drive - 292 kms) is the principal gateway to Panorama
Access
Shuttle transfers or a rental car can easily be pre-booked. Transfers are also possible from Banff (approx 2 hours drive).
Getting Around: Getting around is easy as everything is only a short walk (or ski) away in this intimate mountain village.
Resort Information
Beginner – 20%
Intermediate – 55%
Advanced – 25%
Number of lifts – 9
Av annual snowfall – 8.75m
Highest Lifted point – 2,400m
Vertical drop – 1,200m
Longest run – 5.5km
Runs – 120
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JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Jasper National Park is a huge preserved wilderness area that contains just one resort – Marmot Basin. There is tremendous variety of ski terrain for all abilities ~ from long, gentle, winding novice runs to steep, high alpine bowls and chutes and glade skiing through verdant pine forests.
Accommodation is in the beautiful alpine town of Jasper. What you lack with on-mountain accommodation, you gain in unspoiled natural beauty and powder snow on uncrowded slopes.
Location
Located in the breathtaking, vast and ruggedly mountainous landscape of Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, Jasper is easily reached from Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise or on the “Snow Train” from Edmonton or Vancouver.
Access
Shuttle transfers, the Snow Train or a rental car can easily be pre-booked with your Value Tours package.
Getting Around: Marmot Basin is only 20 minutes away from the town of Jasper by free shuttle.
Resort Information
Beginner – 30%
Intermediate – 30%
Advanced – 40%
Number of lifts – 9
Av annual snowfall – 4m
Highest Lifted point – 2,612m
Vertical drop – 914m
Longest run – 5.6km
Runs – 84
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KICKING HORSE
Kicking Horse has attracted rave reviews for its awesome vertical, deep powder and spectacular terrain mix. With an express gondola accessing over 1,260m of vertical - comparable to only that of heli-skiing.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is surrounded by towering peaks and six of Canada’s most picturesque National Parks. Known for its champagne powder, it has terrain to suit all levels.
Location
The resort is located 14km from Golden, British Columbia, which is just 1.5 hours west of Banff (145 kms). The airport gateway is Calgary - 2.5 hours (270 kms).
Access
Transfers or a rental car can easily be pre-booked.
Getting Around: Accommodation is either on-mountain or in the town of Golden. If required, the “Golden Snow Shuttle” offers a scheduled transportation service between the Town of Golden and Kicking Horse Resort.
Resort Information
Beginner – 20%
Intermediate – 20%
Advanced – 60%
Number of lifts – 5
Av annual snowfall – 7m
Highest Lifted point – 2,450m
Vertical drop – 1,260m
Longest run – 10km
Runs – 106
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RED MOUNTAIN
What makes Red so attractive is the sensational snow and the huge area of off-piste gladed tree skiing, usually only found in such abundance when heliskiing.
Red Mountain Resort offers everything from wide-open groomers to steep powder-filled glades, a terrain park and a cross-country loop. Choose an on-mountain condo or townhome or stay just 3kms away in the old mining township of Rossland.
New: For the 2007/08 season Red Mountain Resort upgraded its Silverlode triple with a brand new Dopplemayr-CTEC quad chair. The alignment of the chair accesses new beginner and intermediate terrain which spans over 100 acres!
Location
Red Mountain is located in British Columbia, just 10 minutes north of the Canada/US border and only 5 minutes from the quaint town of Rossland. The closest Canadian airports are Castlegar (30 minutes drive) and Kelowna (3.5 hours drive).
Access
Shuttle transfers from either airport can easily be pre-booked. Transfers are also possible from the ski resort of Big White. If you prefer self-drive, car rental can be arranged ex Kelowna Airport.
Getting Around: During winter Red Resort operates an in-town shuttle servicing locations in downtown Rossland and the base area accommodations. Approx $AUD2 per person.
Resort Information
Beginner – 15%
Intermediate – 40%
Advanced – 45%
Number of lifts – 6
Av annual snowfall – 7.6m
Highest Lifted point – 2,073m
Vertical drop – 884m
Longest run – 7km
Runs – 87
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