Canadian ski roundup

You haven't skied until you've skied Canada. For all the latest news from Canadian ski resorts, UK ski tour operators and winter routes for airlines, look no further.

WHISTLER: BUILDING A LEGACY
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games (VANOC) are preparing for the games that are just 3 years away. Construction is ongoing at Whistler with investments of $17.6 million being made on snowmaking infrastructure as well as the construction of a sliding centre for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton events. The facilities are guaranteed to impress for the event and will leave a lasting legacy for Canadian winter sports athletes and enthusiast a like.

Construction is well underway on one of Whistler Blackcomb’s landmark projects the Peak to Peak Gondola. Supported by only four towers the gondola will travel 4.4 Kilometers in just 11 minutes-reaching its highest point of 415 m above Fitzsimons Creek - a world record. And with a free span distance measuring 3.02k Kilometers between two of the towers it takes top prize here as well!

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) says winter 2007/2009 will be a La Nina year (cold weather phenomenon caused by ocean-atmosphere temperatures) which means Whistler will have all the right ingredients to kick of a fantastic skiing/boarding season.

For more information visit Whistlerblackcomb.com.

LE MASSIF GETS EVEN BIGGER
Two additional glades have been added to the slopes of Le Massif. Located mid-mountain La Tourelle offers 539 meters of challenging glade terrain. La Misaine now extends all the way to the Grande-Pointe Express lift.

An investment of $1.5 million on snowmaking will help cover the new glades as well as the series of beginner and intermediate trails as soon as the season starts.

Le Massif is so sure skiers/boarders will have the ride of their lives on the slopes that they are offering a money back guarantee. Skiers/Boarders will have 45 minutes from the time they purchase their ticket to decide whether their new snow making techniques are up to snuff. If they’re in any way dissatisfied Le Massif will offer them a free lift pass so they can try the slopes again another day!

For more information on Le Massif visit Lemassif.com.

LET IT RIP! CUTTING EDGE CLINICS IN BC
Fernie Alpine Resort is blazing the trail in offering The Whiteroom Sessions and Powder Girl women’s clinics and training. Nearby Island Lakes Resort features Girlski, an opportunities for ladies for shred the powder with other women…this includes an all female supporting cast of mountain guides and cat drivers. They boys aren’t forgotten either with the Powder Cowboy Cat-Skiing Tours that offer the change to experience BC’s famed back country powder up close and personal.

For more information on Whiteroom and Powder Girl visit Fernie.com.

For more information on Girls Ski and Powder Cowboy visit Islandlakeresorts.com.

THE MOUNTAIN PROJECT: TRIED AND TESTED
Launched in January 2007 this innovative initiative saw a funky log cabin transplanted from Montana onto the slopes of Red to act as a resource centre of accessing guides, planning routes or just unwinding after an amazing ski day. A community of athletes, artists, guides and enthusiast was born and together they worked on testing new products, techniques and trails sharing their knowledge with the staff at Red to make the resort even better. This organic process in one of Canada’s most authentic mountain communities allows visitors to reap the rewards of a tried and tested resort.

For more information visit Redresort.com.

PAY TO PLAY OPTIONS ABOUND AT MOUNT NORQUAY
Norquay is so committed to skiing and snowboarding that they offer a host of different lift pass options for the consumer. Their buy by the hour lift passes offer skiers/boarders the chance to ride the slopes for as little or as long as they like. The Me and My Friends mid-week deal is priced at only $99 and is one of the best deals in the Rockies. With a number of lift pass options and money back guarantee there is no reason not to test the groomed terrain of this mountain that caters to all skill levels.

For more information visit Banffnorquay.com.

LAKE LOUISE LIGHTENS UP
Temple Lodge, Lodge of the Ten Peaks and the Kokanee Kabin have all made changes for the 2007/2008 season. Temple Loge, the popular lunch spot on the backside of Lake Louise, has undergone a refurbishment and is now a lighter and brighter space offering healthy food options to customers. The Lodge of the Ten Peaks, has given skiers/ boarders the best of both worlds with their redesign of the food service area. Now customers will have the choice between sitting down for a hot meal or grabbing a healthy snack to go.

The most happening spot on the slopes, the Kokanee Kabin, has just got even hotter with the expansion of the BBQ area, an improvement to the bar and the introduction of a new outdoor fireplace…this is sure to be the place for après ski fun!

For more information visit Skilouise.com.

CELEBRATING SNOW WITH INCREDIBLE SAVINGS
In celebration of Whistler Blackcomb’s incredible 2006/2007 season the Fairmont Chateau Whistler is offering outstanding stay and play packages. The 46 FEET OF SNOW Early Bird Package includes accommodation, lift passes, tube pack and Fresh Tracks access AND they get their 5th and 6th night of accommodation for free! This amazing package priced from $ 274 pp is available form January 1, 2008-March 30, 2008 (subject to availability when booked by October 15, 2007).

For more information visit Fairmont.com.

BIG WHITE UNVEILS FRANK LLOYD-WRITE STYLE CHALETS
Big White has unveiled plans for several exciting new luxury real estate developments offering the change to ski-in/Ski out in real style. Feathertop is Canada’s highest Mountain subdivision will hold 11 luxury chalets between the Bullet and Black Forest chair lifts. The first 6 homes are under construction in the Edge Development. These chalets are inspired by famed architect Frank Lloyd-Wright.

For more information visit Bigwhite.com.

SILVER STAR OFFERS THE ULTIMATE EXCLUSIVITY
Construction is underway on Alpine Meadows homes at Silver Star. This ski in/ski out development is serviced by its own high speed quad chair making it the ultimate in exclusive on mountain accommodation.

For more information visit Silverstar.com.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME
Ski Safari is launching a new property buying service based on their knowledge and experience in the Canadian ski market. They also enlisted the services of Chris, a Canadian property lawyer by training, to help turn an amazing holiday into one that can last a lifetime.

For more information visit Skisafariproperty.com.

AmeriCan Ski recently purchased a top notch property at Sun Peaks Resort. The three bedroom property with private hot tub offer clients a Chalet style holiday in one of BC’s most popular resorts. AmeriCan Ski further sweetens the deal by offering special discounts on rentals for 7 days or more.

For more information visit Awwt.co.uk.

INGHAMS INCREASES CAPACITY TO CALGARY
Inghams are increasing their charter capacity to Calgary to serve the popular resorts of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Kimberly. They are also shining the spotlight on Panorama and Fernie with flights from Gatwick or Manchester, transfers, accommodation and amazing Skiing/Boarding experiences. At Panorama clients will have the chance to Heli-Ski with the help of a qualified Heli-Ski Guide, top quality gear rental, picnic lunch and certificate of bravery. Prices start at £437 pp for 7 nights accommodation at the 4* Taynton Lodge.

Over at Fernie, Cat skiing is the order of the day with clients getting transfers to the cat centre, Snow Cat transport to off piste areas and a picnic lunch. Prices start at £439 pp for a 7 night stay at the 3* Cedar Lodge.

For more information visit Inghams.co.uk.

SKI DREAM LAUNCH FIRST WOLDWIDE LUXURY SKI BROCHURE
Three Canadian resorts grace the pages of the first edition of the Ski the American Dream Luxury Ski Brochure. The Adrana in Whistler, the Fox Hotel in Banff and L’Ermitage in Mont Tremblant shows that Canada is a premier luxury ski destination from coast to coast.

For more information visit Skidream.com.

CANADIAN AFFAIR INCREASES WINTER SCHEDULE
2007 sees a 50% increase in flights on offer from Canadian Affair. A new non-stop service From London Gatwick to Montreal increases the tonal number of flights form the UK to 14 per week. All flights will be on wide-bodies Airbus A330 and A310 aircrafts, operated on behalf of Canadian Affair by Air Transat, Monarch Airlines and MyTravel Airways.

SKI INDEPENDENCE REPORTS JUMP IN CANADIAN POPULARITY
The fantastic results for Canadian resorts in whistler and Banff as well as increased number for Lake Louise and Panorama has meant Ski Independence had to rethink their brochures for the 2007/2008 series. The decision was made to have two brochures with one featuring North America and Japan.

CRYSTAL DOUBLES SEATS TO NORTH AMERICA
Clients will have even more opportunities to head to Canadian this winter after Crystal unveiled flights to Calgary and Vancouver from Heathrow (connections from regional airports to LHR). Double the numbers of seats are available for 2007/2008 with the choice of 5 flights per week. With a lead-in price to North America of only £299 pp for 7 nights at the 3* Bow View Lodge in Banff, Crystal is making Canada and affordable option for Brits.

TAKE A BREAK AND GET SCHOOLED
Fancy a holiday with a difference? Want to improve your technique? Maybe you’re considering a move into a dream career on the slopes? Whatever your reasons NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard offers instructor and improvement training courses running programmes in 2, 3, 6 and 11 week lengths.

The Canadian Association of Snowboard Instructors (CASI) and Canadian Ski Instructor Alliance (CSIA) are the most user friendly and internationally recognized training programmes available. You’ll have a chance to gain the best training while staying at NONSTOP’s new 42 bed lodge in Fernie. After a £400,000 refurb your downtime will be spent in a lodge that features an indoor swimming pool, hot tub and sauna, 100 seat restaurant, in-house cinema, internet lounge and chill out rooms for watching TV.

For more information visit Nonstopski.com.