They say there’s no business like snow business and there's no better place to recommend this season than Canada, says Julie Baxter
SNOW BUSINESS C
Winter Sports
anada should be an easy sell in winter. Once the snow falls, a whole new destination
with a magical quality is created almost overnight as Canada is transformed into a white wonderland with stunning winter sports opportunities. The home of the Rockies, Canada is
an iconic destination for skiers and boarders alike. It has resorts to suit all types and all abilities and slopes which offer skiing and boarding, plus a wide range of additional winter holiday activities too. For UK travellers, Canada goes head
to head with European ski resorts closer to home, but does so armed with some impressive USPs. Its resorts tend to be wider and less
crowded, its snowfall is heavy and reliable, and it is an English-speaking nation – which is a factor for beginners in ski school. Moreover, removed from the vagaries of the Euro-zone, it represents great value. Families are welcomed and well served by a wide choice of day-care facilities and award- winning ski schools, and the vibe in Canadian resorts is extremely relaxed. Canada's winter sports profile was
8 WINTER 2011 • SELLING CANADA
further cemented by hosting the highly- successful 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, held in Whistler, British Columbia (BC). BC and its neighbour, Alberta, which
share the Rockies, are among the favourite provinces for winter sports, along with Québec, famed for chic resorts such as Mont Tremblant. Those who go west are drawn by the
breathtaking scenery and the powder dry, fluffly snow; those who prefer the eastern resorts, which are at a lower altitude, find a buzzing nightlife and a more traditional French vibe. Canada also appeals to adrenaline
junkies, with heli-skiing and cat-skiing available in the Rockies. Heli-skiing sees skiers airlifted by helicopter high into the back-country terrain for epic powder runs. Cat-skiing offers a similar experience but uses snow-cat, all-terrain vehicles to access the remoter slopes. And as you sell, remember there is
more to a Canadian winter sports holiday than bombing down the slopes on skis or a board. Beyond the pistes, purpose-built
terrain and tubing parks and the opportunity of night skiing, there are
also frozen lakes for skating or ice- fishing; forest trails for snowmobiling and snow-shoeing hikes, frozen canyons for ice-climbing adventures and the exhilarating fun provided by dog- sledding and tobogganing. Then there are unique experiences
offered by an ice hotel or a hot springs spa; the winter carnivals and ice festivals, fabulous star-gazing opportunities and the Northern Lights displays. All in all, Canada has all the ingredients to make a great sales pitch to both dedicated skiers/boarders and those who want time doing other things too, or groups with a few non-skiers in their party. There is a lot to get your head around
and if you haven’t been yourself the best way to prepare for the coming season is to research and train a little! The Canadian Tourism Commission has a definitive guide to the top resorts on its website:
http://ukski.canada.travel. Listed are all the key resorts with
their vital statistics. Skiers and boarders tend to be repeat bookers and know
Families are welcome throughout Canada and all abilities are catered for. Above: Rossland, BC and right: Snowmobiling in Vernon, BC
CTC
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