Canada high: Finding perfect powder and sheer skiing heaven at Whistler and Banff

By NEIL ENGLISH

Down we go: Whistler has had its reputation enhanced by the Winter Olympics

Canada already attracts more British skiers than the United States - a trend that is likely to continue following the success of last Winter's Olympics at Whistler Blackcomb.

Even though those Games were hit by regular snowstorms that forced the rescheduling of some events, including the prestigious men's downhill, the underlying message to skiers and snowboarders was loud and clear: Western Canada gets lots of snow. In fact, Whistler Blackcomb enjoyed a record-breaking annual snowfall last winter, as did other parts of British Columbia.

Although the powder is not always dry due to the mountains being so close to the Pacific Ocean, skiers and snowboarders are still more likely to experience fresh tracks in all parts of Western Canada than they are in the Alps.

It is no coincidence that the world's first, and now largest, helicopter skiing operations were founded in the mighty Cariboo and Monashee mountain ranges in British Columbia. Others have been set up in the Purcell and Selkirk ranges, located in the same province.

Obviously a skiing or snowboarding holiday without large amounts of snow on the mountain is hugely disappointing. That is why the helicopter skiing pioneers chose carefully where to stage their operations. Regular top-ups of snow were, and still are, vital to their success.

They were also, of course, swayed by the stunning location. Western Canada is a rugged and dramatic setting. The jagged, pinnacled mountain ridges, though lower in altitude, appear more wild, remote and pleasing to the eye than some of the domed mountains of the American Rockies. And in these tougher economic times, the good news is that prices in and around the Canadian resorts are cheaper than those in the United States.

Here are my holiday picks that represent excellent value in the region's primary ski areas. All tour operators mentioned offer many alternative Canadian ski holidays.

Whistler Blackcomb
Resort improvements ahead of last February's Winter Olympics were numerous, though none more significant than the Peak 2 Peak gondola that transports skiers and snowboarders from Whistler's mid-upper mountain to Blackcomb's mid-upper mountain.

These vast ski areas have long been accessible in the same day, but it was necessary to ski down to base and then switch lift systems. Now this impressive feat of engineering, high above Fitzsimmons Creek, transfers skiers and snowboarders along a 2.7-mile span of cable in 11 minutes.

Whistler-Blackcomb is the most extensive lift-linked ski area in North America. However, such large-scale works, which involved ripping out thousands of trees, angered environmental groups.

The resort's award-winning Fitzsimmons Creek Hydro Project, launched earlier this year, provides enough energy to power all the resort's 38 ski-lifts, 17 restaurants and 269 snow guns, and goes some way to pacifying those eco-protesters.

When staging a global event such as the Winter Olympics, just about everything in the resort gets some sort of facelift, be it a lick of paint or a major revamp. And the pride in hosting such an event has a favourable impact on customer service. So why not make this the winter to test your nerve on the fearsome men's or women's Olympic downhill race courses?

Details: Crystal Ski (0871 231 2256, www.crystalski.co.uk) has seven nights' self-catering based on four people sharing a studio suite in the three-star Blackcomb Lodge, including scheduled BA flights from Heathrow to Vancouver and transfers, from £889pp, while a ten-night stay costs from £1,029pp. Prices available on departures between January 5 and February 14.

Four-star accommodation is available in Whistler Village at similar prices on restricted dates. Lift pass and equipment hire discounts are available on bookings made before November 15, 2010. See www.whistlerblackcomb.com.

Banff/Lake Louise
The three resorts of Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay are separate ski areas all within easy reach of the town of Banff. They are linked by a free bus service when you buy the great-value Tri-Area lift pass.

The total skiable area almost matches that of Whistler Blackcomb. The largest of the three resorts is Lake Louise, about 40 minutes from Banff and a scenic 30-minute bus ride from Sunshine.

Banff itself is in a UNESCO-protected national park and it is not uncommon to see elk roaming the streets.

Mt Norquay is small but steep, and well worth visiting for at least half a day. This area is famous for producing an impressive number of professional ski racers.

Sunshine boasts a great snow record and both Sunshine and Lake Louise cater for skiers of all abilities, so while experts can take to the hardcore offpiste runs in Delirium Dive at Sunshine, novices can perfect their technique at the tranquil Sunny-T learning area at Lake Louise.

I recommend splitting your stay between Banff town and Lake Louise. When staying in Lake Louise, go to the Fairmont Chateau hotel and look across to the Victoria Glacier - as views go, it takes some beating.

Details: Frontier Ski (020 8776 8709, www.frontier-ski.co.uk) offers a ten-night holiday, with seven nights at The Banff Inn in Banff, including continental breakfast, plus three nights in an economy double room at the Lake Louise Inn on a room-only basis. Prices start at £1,216pp based on two people sharing and include a ten-day Tri-Area lift pass, Air Canada flights to Calgary and transfers.

Deals for four people sharing are also available in a range of accommodation - see www.SkiBig3.com.

Revelstoke/Kicking Horse
These ski areas - just 90 minutes apart by road - are especially good value for strong intermediates and expert skiers.

There is little in the way of infrastructure at either resort, but for those who just want to ski on some of the best on and off-piste terrain in the world, enjoy a good dinner and a couple of drinks and then go to bed in readiness for the next day's adventure, a twin holiday in these resorts is perfect.

Revelstoke has the longest vertical drop in North America - it annoyed officials in Whistler Blackcomb by stealing the record from them in their Olympic year when it added a few extra feet of skiing to the base lodge car park. It also has a heli-skiing operation and snow-cat skiing - you take a snow-cat up the mountain rather than a ski-lift.

Kicking Horse (its two most formidable ridges are called Redemption and CPR) was originally a helicopter-only skiing area.

It now boasts seemingly unlimited backcountry-style descents with eagle's eye, one of North America's best on-mountain restaurants, at the top of the gondola.
Details: Ski Independence (0131 243 8097, www.ski-i.com) has a ten-night trip in January, starting with five nights' B&B in the sumptuous Highland Lodge at Kicking Horse, followed by five nights on a room-only basis in the Sandman Hotel in Revelstoke.

Based on two sharing a double room, it costs from £1,497pp if booked before October 31, including Air Canada flights to Calgary and a compact hire car with unlimited mileage and Alamo Gold insurance.

For more information, see www.revelstokemountainresort.com and www.kickinghorseresort.com.


source: dailymail