WINTER SPORTS Feature
their lift passes from their red runs so when they start asking awkward questions about the mountain heights, the number of lifts and pistes, the ability levels each suits and their snow record, this site will likely provide the answer. At
www.skialbertaspecialist.co.uk
there is also simple online training on the three key ski resort areas of Alberta – that's Banff, Lake Louise and Sunshine, marketed together as 'Ski the Big 3'.
Winter Sports
ALBERTA Accessed via Calgary or Vancouver, with British Airways, Air Canada and Air Transat, Alberta’s key ski resorts are Banff, Lake Louise and Marmot Basin (Jasper) but beyond these there are over 65 additional ski hills too. Lake Louise is in the heart of the UNESCO- rated Banff National Park and is one of the largest ski areas in North America. Its unique layout allows those of varying abilities to ski together as beginner, intermediate and expert runs start from the top of every chairlift. Or recommend Kicking Horse (1.5
hours' drive from Lake Louise) or Castle Mountain (2.5 hours out of
Calgary) for those looking to try somewhere different. New this year, The Tri-Area pass, valid
for skiing and snowboarding on all three hills of Sunshine Village (15 minutes from Banff), Mount Norquay and Lake Louise, has been extended to include snow-shoeing, snow-tubing and sightseeing as part of the pass. The Tri-Area pass now also includes
the new and improved ski shuttle. Prices begin at £268 for adults for a five out of seven day pass and from £88 for children (
www.skibig3.com). Marmot Basin (Jasper) has installed
two new ski lifts for this season. The new Paradise Express lift is a high- speed quad chair taking skiers to the top of the upper area of the resort in 4.6 minutes, and the new Triple Chair improves facilities in the lower learning area slopes (
www.skimarmot.com). Sunshine Village is Canada’s highest
elevated resort and is the one to recommend in Alberta for those who want a ski-in, ski-out resort. Here Sunshine Lodge has unveiled a multi- million dollar upgrade to add 30 new luxurious eco-rooms. The new West Wing offers premium rooms with floor-
to-ceiling mountain views. For experts, Sunshine's Delirium Dive is one of the Top 10 off-piste challenges in the world (
www.sunshinemountainlodge.com). Dog-sledding, skating and ice-fishing
are widely available in the province and for ice climbers recommend Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, or Johnston Canyon in Banff, where once- raging rivers become sheet-ice walkways in winter. They can cross the frozen surfaces of rapids that are normally impassable and gaze in wonder at torrent-carved canyons where waterfalls have turned into gravity-defying icefalls.
Winter Sports BRITISH COLUMBIA BC has 13 ski-in, ski-out resorts, including Whistler, which is regularly voted North America’s top ski resort. Whistler further positioned itself in the public consciousness as host of the Winter Olympics in 2010 and is
"For the UK market, Canada goes head to head with European ski slopes. Its resorts tend to be wider and less crowded, its snow heavy and reliable, it is English speaking and currently offers great value"
SELLING CANADA • WINTER 2011 9
BC DON WEIXL
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