© Stone
Fantastic snow, cheap food and tiny lift queues. These are just a few of the reasons why more and more Brits are now heading to Canada for skiing holidays. Thanks to the weakness of the Canadian dollar, the cost of a week here is comparable to seven nights in a European resort.
Once you’ve made up your mind to go, the big question is ‘east or west’? Both sides of the country have some great resorts, which can be confusing for clients who are looking for a break from the norm. But generally speaking, the west is best for buckets of powder and natural scenery, while in the eastern resorts you can combine skiing with a city break. To give you some inspiration, we’ve selected some of our favourite resorts – big and small.
__________
Whistler
What’s it like?
The daddy of west coast skiing. Nestled in the spectacular Coast Mountain range, just two hours from Vancouver, Whistler’s terrain spreads over two mountains. There’s something for everyone – from wide open bowls and steep, deep powder runs, to tree-lined intermediate pistes and good beginner slopes. Although the lifts are efficient, this place is so popular you might end up queuing – unusual for North American ski resorts.
What’s new?
Summer maintenance work has produced wider runs and more gradual slopes on Blackcomb Mountain, easing congestion and improving terrain for beginners and ski school pupils. Advanced snow-making technology has been introduced to improve early and late season conditions. Hopefully, the snow drought of last season will quickly be forgotten.
Sample product
Thomson offers seven-night packages from £519, including flights, transfers and room-only accommodation at the Pinnacle Hotel.
__________
Red
What’s it like?
A small, friendly and informal resort in British Columbia. The nightlife isn’t up to much – however a massive expansion plan is underway, rumoured to bring the resort on to a par with Whistler. Although there are various blue and green runs to warm up on, Red is ideal for experts, with blacks and double-black diamonds littering the piste map. Hire a guide and you’ll discover there’s much more to Red than meets the eye; most locals create their own runs through the trees…
© Image Bank
What’s new?
More off-piste skiing and easier access than ever before. Big Red Cats’ new guided Cat-skiing service offers trips for intermediate and advanced skiers to more than 18,000 acres of powder-filled backcountry slopes from its base 10 minutes from the resort. There’s also an improved terrain park with several new features, catering to skiers and boarders of various skill levels.
Sample product
Frontier Ski offers seven-night packages from £1,045 per person, including flights, transfers, room-only accommodation at the Prestige Mountain Hotel and lift passes.
__________
Humber Valley Resort, Newfoundland
What’s it like?
Ideal for those who want more from their winter break than just skiing. Located on the east coast of Canada, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Humber Valley Resort is less than five hours’ flight from the UK – putting it on a par with some European resorts (with their three-hour airport transfers). There are 35 trails at nearby Marble Mountain – most of which are aimed at intermediates. The resort itself offers affordable luxury accommodation, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and much more.
What’s new?
Improved snowmaking capability, thanks in part to a £280,000 grant from the provincial government. This should provide more consistent snow conditions and enable the resort to open as early as possible. Oh yes, and there’s a new snow tube park…
Sample product
Barwell Leisure offers seven-night packages from £589 per person, based on four sharing, including flights, chalet and transfers.
__________
© PCL
Quebec
What’s it like?
French – with a Canadian twist. Base yourself in Quebec City – Old Quebec is North America’s only walled city and full of 17th century charm. As well as enjoying great restaurants, art galleries and shopping, you can get a ski pass for access to more than 100 runs in Mont Sainte Anne, Stoneham and Le Massif. The snow here is not as fluffy as on the west coast, but mixed groups will find plenty to do.
What’s new?
Mont Sainte Anne now has a fleet of 285 snow guns, ensuring better coverage and more consistent conditions on the lower slopes.
Sample product
Crystal offers a seven-night ‘Ski and See’ package from £468 per person. Includes flights, transfers and room-only accommodation at the five-star Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec.
__________
Banff
What’s it like?
Banff is in the gorgeous National Park in Alberta, and is another perennial Canadian favourite, with good reason. One ticket gives you access to three different resorts: Norquay, Lake Louise and Sunshine. Norquay is great for families and steep stuff; Sunshine gets huge dumps of powder and you can ski in the sun all day long at Lake Louise. There’s a wide variety of accommodation in the resort and the nightlife is buzzing.
What’s new?
Yet again, millions have been spent on improving the product across the three resorts. Among the changes for this year is an increase in snowmaking capability, a bigger halfpipe and terrain park, an increase in groomed runs and new lifts.
Sample product
Neilson offers seven-night packages from £675, including flights, transfers and room-only accommodation at Brewsters Mountain Lodge, Banff.
__________
© Taxi
Sun Peaks
What’s it like?
This purpose-built resort has sprung up almost from scratch in just over a decade and is now the second-largest ski area in British Columbia (after Whistler). The resort village has an Austrian feel to it – as opposed to the characterless developments you often find in North America. A great resort for beginners, with plenty for experts and intermediates to sink their teeth into.
What’s new?
As part of a £140 million, four-phase development plan, there’s been an expansion of the children’s and beginners’ teaching terrain – including a new ‘magic carpet’ lift. As well as this, snowmaking capacity has been increased, allowing more slopes to open in the early season.
Sample product
Ski All America offers seven-night packages from £700 per person twin-share, including flights, transfers and room-only accommodation at Nancy Greene’s Cahilty Lodge. Nancy was Canada’s Olympic ski champion in the 1960s and she skis with guests on a daily basis, free of charge.
