| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 04/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 44 |
| Copyright: Other |
British columbia resorts
Preparing to be the next big thing in Canada
Operators to lift profile of Fernie and Kimberly
One thing operators have agreed on this season is that Fernie and Kimberly in British Columbia deserve more brochure space.Canada’s UK tourist market has benefited greatly from the success of its ski provinces, particularly through the better-known resorts such as Whistler and Banff/Lake Louise.
“In 1999, Canada represented 54% of our North America sales, with only seven resorts out of a total 33 in our programme,” said Ski Independence North America product manager Nick Laver.
This telling statistic highlights the British love affair with Canadian skiing. Fernie and Kimberly are both relatively unknown here, but they are names that will be heard a lot this season. Acquired by Resorts of the Canadian Rockies in 1997 and 1998 respectively, a total of £45 million has been spent so far on accommodation and terrain improvements.
“Both resorts are outside of national park territory, unlike Banff, so the owners have started to develop the real estate. This will give it more of a resort feel, like Whistler or Tremblant,” said Laver.
He added that while it may not rival Whistler for size or variety, Fernie is strong competition for Banff.
“We expanded this year with a catered chalet. Fernie will be the next big thing in Canadian skiing, so we need a good platform,” he said.
Inghams sales manager Laurence Hicks was similarly enthusiastic. “We’ve been operating to Fernie for the past three years and to Kimberly for the past two. Since we introduced Fernie, it has become our fastest selling destination,” he said.
Hicks summed up the attractions of the two resorts: “Fernie is an old mining town and is very British Columbian. “It has fantastic off-piste skiing and is very snow sure. It’s not a beginners’ resort. Kimberley is better for beginners and intermediates; it’s very European with a lot of good tree-lined descents, which appeal to British skiers.”
Fernie’s big advantage is its new ski-in/ski-out resort. Kimberly town is still a five-minute drive from its slopes, though work has begun on a resort village. Crystal ski lakes and mountains product director Paul Baumgartner said: “Developing Fernie’s resort centre has helped. It gives it more atmosphere, which British skiers like.”
Crystal added both resorts for 2000/01, on the strength of both to the skiing and the increase in accommodation.
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Inghams
Crystal
Ski Independence
Perfect powder: the owners of Fernie and Kimberley resorts have invested £45 million on improving the accommodation and terrain
East or west – which is best?
Cowboys vs the Quebequois – we asked the experts what they thought
“The resorts on the eastern coast of Canada are increasingly popular with families and beginners as they offer such good value for money. Flying to Quebec is just a short hop across the pond. But when you get over to western Canada, you realise the longer flying time is worth it for the sheer extent and quality of the snow.”
Laurence Hicks, sales manager, Inghams
“Quebec has the French flavour. It’s not like France relocated to Canada, but there are similarities. The food and wine is excellent. Skiing in Mount St Anne you have Quebec city nearby and Tremblant has lots of atmosphere too. The short flight is also a big benefit – especially for families with young kids. But compared with the west, the ski terrain is not as vast, there’s not the same variety or the same vertical drop. And you’ll never hear anybody complain about thepowder in Whistler.”
Paul Baumgartner, ski lakes and mountains product director, Crystal
“Comparing Quebec with Whistler for example, Quebec has the shorter flight, is good value for money, and is great for families – a lot of the properties have crêches – but it can be cold and the ski area is not as large or varied as Whistler. Whistler has everything you expect from a resort, plus a bit more. It’s got excellent snow and a long season, but it’s a long flight and more expensive that the east.”
Nick Laver, North America product manager, Ski Independence