T R AVEL TALK ASK THE EXPERTS
NEED ADVICE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP? ARE YOU AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS, TIPS AND GUIDANCE? OUR EXPERTS HAVE THE ANSWERS…
THE EXPERTS
Rupert Hatfield North America specialist, Ski Safari
Scott Britton Head of Commercial, Crystal Ski Holidays
Reena Sewraz Which? Money expert
Lizzy Benwell Maison Sport ski instructor
Megan Hughes Project editor, National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Where in North America offers intermediate skiers the most atmospheric and affordable ski experience? It has to be a Panorama and Banff combination — two very different resorts in one trip, both home to some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the world. Panorama is Canada’s take on a European style ski-in, ski-out resort, but better. There are varied slopes to suit all abilities, and more experienced skiers have almost unlimited terrain with heli-skiing available from the resort base area. Banff has it all. A busy,
Clockwise from above: Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada; skier using a training app; Courchevel in the French Alps
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authentically Canadian mountain town with lots going on and the opportunity to ski three unique peaks on one pass. My favourite area is Lake Louise for its easy- access backcountry terrain — including the new West Bowl area.
NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.CO.UK/TRAVEL
A 14 night trip costs from
£1,659pp, based on four adults travelling, including seven nights in a self-catered condo at Tamarack Lodge, Panorama, and seven nights in a double room at Elk + Avenue Hotel in Banff, room-only, return flights from Heathrow to Calgary and transfers.
skisafari.com RUPERT HATFIELD
When it comes to intermediate skiing, Banff and Lake Louise are undoubtedly a fine choice but I’d also recommend Breckenridge in Colorado. This Rocky Mountains resort has a choice of five separate skiable mountains, and it doesn’t get much better than that. Winding through the forests lower down, you’ll find easier slopes, while intermediates can tackle steep runs, chutes and bumps nearer the summits. The area
is also great for snowboarders, with four huge snow parks and a superpipe that hosts international competitions every winter. ‘Breck’, as it’s known to the locals,
has the feel of a Rockies gold rush town, and Main Street is lined with clapboard buildings and swing- door saloons that could have come straight from a Western movie. Head here at the end of the day for local beers at the Breckenridge Brewpub or ribs and burgers in one of the resort’s friendly bistros. As for accommodation, it’s all about spacious hotel rooms and cosy self- catering condos. A week’s self-catering at the
four-star Pine Ridge Condos costs from £2,056pp, based on two sharing, including return flights from Heathrow to Denver and transfers.
crystalski.co.uk SCOTT BRITTON
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