Product update

Product update

Which way now: there are plenty of new resorts to choose from

While Whistler in British Columbia still exerts the greatest appeal to most UK skiers, small up-and-coming resorts such as Fernie, Kimberly, Big White and Sun Peaks are enjoying a higher profile and increased presence in operators’ brochures. The coming season sees the new resort of Kicking Horse get its first exposure to the UK market, with Thomson and Crystal both offering packages. Thomson has also added Fernie and Kimberly.

“People have been to Banff and Lake Louise and they want something new, and that’s why we’re widening the programme,” said a Thomson spokeswoman.

For Canada specialist Frontier Ski, the smaller resorts taken as a whole are the second biggest seller after Whistler. Managing director Sandra Potter highlighted the individual advantages of the less well-known ski spots: “Somewhere like Red Mountain is a real specialist resort, excellent for a group of serious skiers of boarders – not for families. But Sun Peaks, Big White and Panorama are all family friendly.”

Of course, Canadian skiing is not restricted to the west and the Rockies. Quebec in the east is also a good bet for UK skiers. Due to demand, Frontier Ski reintroduced the resort of Tremblant, and Club Pavilion is placing more emphasis on the east, with the reintroduction of Mount Orford in Quebec and Marble Mountain in Newfoundland.

Club Pavilion is the first mainstream UKoperator to offer Marble Mountain, which was the host resort for theCanadian Winter Olympics in 1999. Its other new resort, Mount Orford, is located in the Eastern Townships region, an hour and a half from Montreal – another ideal twin-centreopportunity.

&#42 See page 42 for further information on skiing in Quebec.