The Canadian Rockies
Canadian Snow resorts offer some of the best skiing and boarding in the world. For us aussies it is an easy trans atlantic crossing either straight to Vancouver or via the States, which gives you a few options to side track into LA or Disney or maybe try a couple of US mountains on the way north to Canada. You can be in the heart of Whistler within 20 hours of leaving Melbourne Airport or a little further into Alberta and the town of of Banff where you can ski Norquay, Sunshine and Lake Louise. Not too far away is the town of Golden where you can snowmobile high up in the canadian passes of Kicking horse or try some of the areas best ski and board terrain. The powder comes and the snowfalls are massive. One of the best powder areas is the resort of Fernie. In between there are also the resorts of Silver Star, Big White and the upcoming Revelstoke.
For the adventurous powderhound what about a week of heliskiing in the cariboo and bugaboo ranges or over at Revelstoke. Some heliski companies offer up to 11 different areas where you can ski and board some of the best untracked powder in the world in some of the highest ranges in the Canadian Rockies. Canada is one of my favourite places for the verticle drop, the freindly people and the raw mountain air.The beers not bad and the scenery is always spectacular no matter where you are.
Whistler and Blackcomb
Whistler and Blackcomb are two huge mountains inter-linked by a pedestrian village and the Peak to Peak Gondola offering easy access to both mountains. Together these two giants provide 8,717 acres of ski terrain, a lift-serviced vertical drop of close to 1,615 meters, runs up to 11km long, twelve Bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails - steep powder chutes, challenging mogul fields, secluded tree skiing and endless perfectl groomed easy cruising runs. Accommodation is split between five seperate areas. most villages are adjacent to high - speed lifts to ensure fast and direct mountain access or have a regular shutttle bus service to the lisft base. Whistler has over 200 shops and a huge number of resturants, bars and nightspots. This has got to be a perfect all round ski vacation. There are plenty of interesting retail outlets and galleries to keep you busy if you are not hitting the slopes. The town has a real magical feeling and is certainly a great family resort.
Mountain Info
Summit............2,284
Vertical Drop....1,609
Lifts......................38
Runs..................200+
Advanced...........27%
Intermediate......55%
Beginner............18%
Lake Louise;
Situated ½ an hour from Banff is a great experience for both families and young groups of friends whether you base yourself in Lake Louise of Banff there is always more to do than just skiing/boarding with huge selection of cross country skiing in Lake Louise, Dog sledding (in groups of 2), snowmobiling, beautiful walks to frozen waterfalls or walks over a frozen lake.
That being said Lake Louise is a great mountain with 8 lifts and 139 runs + bowls you get a huge variety and the longest run being 8 kilometres. Overall this is a great mountain with quick lines on a weekend and public holidays and plenty of Park for the adventurous ones.
Silver Star
Summit...............1,915m
Vertical Drop.........760m
Snowfall...................7m
Lifts...........................12
Longest Run...........8km
Advanced ...............30%
Intermediate...........50%
Beginner.................20%
The skiing and snowboarding terrain at Silver Star is split into three distinct areas; Vance Creek, Putnam Creek and the recently developed Silver Woods area.
Vance Creek has some advanced steep terrain, groomed wide cruising trails and gentle beginner slopes. Putnam Creek has advanced steep powder chutes, fast runs, big moguls and heavily treed terrain. Silver Woods has mainly intermediate terrain with long groomed trails and wide spaced trees.
Silver Star and Big White which is 60 miles away are both owned by the same company and have a shared lift pass. An intermountain shuttle bus operates every Thursday between the two resorts.
Other activities at Silver Star include snow tubing, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, snow shoeing and snowmobiling tours.
The National Altitude Training Centre has a rock climbing wall, a fitness centre and a day spa offering massage and beauty treatments
Kicking Horse
The expert skiing and snowboarding is fantastic at Kicking Horse. The upper mountain area has three separate bowls with 70 black diamond steep narrow chutes leading into them.
For a challenge hike to the top of Terminator Peak and take the Glory chute into the ungroomed deep powder filled Bowl Over bowl before hitting the massive moguls on the Liberty and Double Header runs. On the lower mountain slopes the Pioneer Chairlift accesses fast steep tree lined mogul runs.