Resorts
About 45 miles out of Quebec City, Le Massif looks set to be the next big thing for Canadian east coast skiing. Investors including Cirque du Soleil founder Daniel Gauthier have bought the area, and invested £120 million in creating a new year-round resort.
Skiers will get amazing views on the runs, and a train connection is being built between Quebec City and the resort, which will open in stages between 2011 and 2013.
In Banff, the Hidden Ridge Resort is undergoing a £6.2 million renovation in readiness for this winter season, adding hot pools, a sauna and 27 two-bedroom loft suites with kitchens, wood-burning fires and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Silver Star ski area will open a two-acre beginners’ park and a snow-cross course this season, and Big White will introduce gated runs for families and seniors.
Kicking Horse will open a fourth Alpine Bowl area. ‘Super Bowl’ has more than 15 advanced and expert chutes, giving an off-piste feel in a controlled environment.
Two new daily transfers will run between Panorama and Calgary airport for the winter 2010-2011 season, departing Calgary at 1pm and 5pm and leaving Panorama at 6.45am and 12.00pm, giving greater flexibility when choosing flights.
Operators
Canadian Affair is opening hotels in Big White, Kicking Horse, Banff and Whistler. It is also introducing a ‘Ski As You Please’ programme, enabling skiers and boarders to use one lift pass for Revelstoke and Kicking Horse.
Early booking offers are available until November 15 and include free ski passes for kids, free hotel nights and free ski days at selected resorts.
Inghams has introduced a 10-day ski tour with four nights in Banff, three in Panorama and three in Fernie, taking in six ski areas plus optional heli-skiing and snowcat trips. Prices start from £1,995 including lift passes, transfers, a ski guide and return flights from Gatwick or Manchester.
Neilson has expanded its Canadian programme to triple the choice of resorts, adding Big White, Revelstoke, Fernie, Panorama, Jasper, Sun Peaks, Silver Star and Kimberley. The operator’s Canadian and American selection is now bookable through the Travelink system, which is based on scheduled flights and allows a tailor-made service.
It is also launching a one-stop ski shop where agents can pick and mix all elements of the trip at skidomtrips.com. Flights, accommodation, transfers and ski extras can be booked independently or packaged with Abta and Atol bonding.
Crystal Ski has added Panorama to its programme, and clients can book Fresh/First Track access in Fernie, Jasper, Lake Louise, Tremblant and Whistler – this gives access to virgin pistes and untouched snow.
Tui Travel’s ski brands offer a direct flight to Calgary from Gatwick and Manchester this season, and clients booking with First Choice can now opt for a ski wedding in Canada at Banff, Lake Louise or Whistler.
