32 / Winter activities
WE DON'T HIBERNATE,
we celebrate! World-class skiing With ski resorts in Western Canada benefiting from usually reliable snowfall and world-class powder, it’s small wonder they are a magnet for British skiers and snowboarders. The village at Whistler in British Columbia sits next to the slopes and combined with Blackcomb offers an outstanding choice of runs as well as off-piste activities from bobsleighing to a lively nightlife. In the same province, Sun Peaks is Canada’s second-largest ski area (after Whistler). With terrain on three mountains there is a huge number of runs and space aplenty. The resort has a host of beginner and intermediate skiing, making it a great choice for families. In Alberta, Banff town, with its restaurants and shops, makes an excellent base
with regular buses taking skiers and snowboarders to the local slopes at the local Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, which comprise SkiBig3. For a more laidback vibe, the town of Jasper is half the size of Banff and offers excellent skiing at Marmot Basin, which has received several upgrades in recent years. Enticing repeat UK visitors out east are Québec’s picture-perfect Laurentian Mountains, northwest of Montréal. Here, Mt. Tremblant’s Francophone character makes for an exciting world-class ski alternative to the resorts out west.
Snow much fun off the slopes Snowshoeing, dog sledding and snowmobile tours just some of the popular and easily accessible options that are alternatives to skiing and snowboarding.
Ice fishing trips, another signature Canadian experience, see visitors venture out onto frozen lakes to huddle around holes in the ice, possibly sheltered in a heated hut– this is as much about learning about local culture as hooking fish. Québec resorts such as Mont-SainteAnne, Stoneham, Bromont and Sutton offer excellent cross-country skiing trails while the province’s auberges are a good bet for off-piste multi-activity packages. Operators such as the Le Baluchon Eco Resort offer guests the use of electric fat bikes, which make light work of the snowy conditions, alongside timeless options such as horse-drawn sleigh rides. Wellness is also to the fore. In Québec options include the Nordic Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Mt. Tremblant’s Scandinave Spa and at Club Med's Mountain Resort in the
DESTINATION CANADA
Winter doesn’t stop play in Canada – if anything it gives it the green light! Karl Cushing offers seven compelling reasons why clients should keep it Canada for their winter holidays
SELLING CANADA WINTER/SPRING 2021/22
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