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10 Reasons you should go on a ski holiday to Canada

Stretching from the USA in the south, to the Arctic Circle in the north, Canada is the ultimate destination for a ski holiday. Combining vast areas of wilderness with bustling cosmopolitan cities, Canada offers huge variety with one of the most reliable snowfalls in the world.

If you are thinking about destinations for a winter break, here are 10 reasons why you go on a ski holiday in Canada:

10. The Snow

Snow is one of the main considerations for a winter ski holiday. The last thing you want to worry about after booking a ski holiday is if there is going to be enough snow to enjoy the slopes. A nation renowned for its snow, Canada offers quality and reliability.

Unlike some European resorts, Canada rarely has a poor snow year and Canmore received nearly 2 feet of snow in April 2017 alone! With a season spanning from mid-November to the end of May (even later if you count glacier skiing), there is plenty of time to take advantage of these snow-sure slopes.

© Photo by Yashima (www.flickr.com/photos/yashima/32666556685)

9. Uncrowded

It’s never fun to spend half of your ski holiday waiting in long lines, only to then feel rushed when you do finally make it onto the slopes. If you want to spend your ski holiday skiing, then Canada is the destination for you.

The world’s second largest country by total area, Canada’s ski resorts benefit from a lack of crowds. Even on busy days, resorts are never overcrowded or have long lines and it is easy to find a quiet space thanks to the massive acreage offered.

Whistler Blackcomb is North America’s largest ski resort and transfers from Vancouver Airport to Whistler Blackcomb take approximately 2 hours.

8. Exceptional Service

Ski resorts in Canada provide outstanding service with a genuine smile. Apart from snow, Canada is also known for its friendliness and ski towns are filled with polite locals willing you to have a great time on your ski holiday. Providing the highest level of customer service with an infectious level of passion and enthusiasm, ski resorts in Canada provide exceptional service.

7. World-class Facilities

If the incredible snow wasn’t enough of a reason to visit Canada for a ski holiday, the incredible facilities certainly are!

With most resorts built-for-purpose, accommodation is of a great standard, with a lot being ski-in ski-out and on a larger scale than in Europe. The majority of villages are fully pedestrianised and there is a good range of restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets.

Modern, fast lifts transport you to perfectly groomed slopes and off-piste is easily accessible, giving you more powder snow!

Speaking of off-piste, unlike in Europe, everything inside the ski area boundary is patrolled and made safe by the resort. As long as the tree run or powder bowel is within the rope-marked boundary, you can ski wherever you want!

6. The Scenery

Any mountain covered in snow makes for a spectacular backdrop, but the National Parks in Canada are truly breathtaking.

The ski resorts blend perfectly with the astounding natural beauty and Elk and mountain goats are frequent visitors to Lake Louise.

With some of the world’s largest dark sky preserves, lucky skiers might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Banff, and a trip to the Banff Upper Hot Springs is a must!

© Photo by Scazon (www.flickr.com/photos/scazon/3036928851/)

5. Amazing Value

Although you might think of Canada as an expensive option, it couldn’t be further from the truth. When you consider the outstanding facilities and services offered, Canadian ski resorts offer incredible value for money.

Early bird deals are often available until the middle of November and offers such as free rentals are common.

4. Wide Variety

In addition to the incredible, world-class facilities on offer, many ski resorts cater to every level, from complete beginners to experts, children to adults.

Those looking for an adrenaline rush will be pleased to know that British Colombia is one of the world’s best locations for adventure activities, with ski resorts such as Whistler Blackcomb offering amazing heli-skiing options.

If you’re looking for something a little wilder, then Panorama is a great choice.

There are also plenty of things to do for non-skiers, with spas, shopping, hiking and other winter activities just some of the many things on offer.

3. Best Ski Schools

Whatever your ability, there is the perfect ski school for you. Canada has some of the best ski schools in the world and is an ideal place to learn or improve your skills on the snow. Benefit from small class sizes and instructors well trained in safety so you can truly take advantage of these incredible slopes.

© Photo by Ruth Hartnup (www.flickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/5455157296/)

2. No language barrier

Although it’s nice to immerse yourself in other cultures whilst travelling for a ski holiday, sometimes it makes things a bit easier if you speak a common language. Whether it be learning how to ski for the first time, finding out the best secret spots or in emergency situations, speaking the native language makes communicating much easier.

1. Bluebird powder days

One of the biggest reasons for visiting Canada for a ski holiday is bluebird powder days. Thanks to their Inland location, resorts like Banff boast some of the highest numbers of bluebird powder days. By the time snow has crossed the coastal ranges, snow is dry and light, giving clear skies, feathery light powder and the ultimate ski experience.

© Photo by Ruth Hartnup (www.flickr.com/photos/ruthanddave/26842601422/)

We hope this post has inspired you to have a ski holiday in Canada!

Don’t forget, if you’re planning a ski holiday to Canada, make sure you get an instant quote for your airport transfer from Calgary Airport or Vancouver Airport to the ski resort.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The Best Ski Resort for Beginners in Colorado

When you think of Colorado, you probably think of skiing. Home to the likes of Aspen and Vail, Colorado is known worldwide as one of the best ski holiday destinations. With over 30 ski areas currently in operation, it can be easy for beginners to feel intimidated. To help you make the most of this fantastic destination, we’ve shared the best ski areas for beginners in Colorado, all easily accessible by transfer from Eagle County Regional Airport and Denver International Airport.

Beaver Creek

The Resort

Owned by Vail Resorts, transfers from Denver Airport to Beaver Creek take just over 2 hours. The area has 1800 skiable areas, accessed by 25 lifts and sits at just over 8,000 feet above sea level. Although the resort hosts World Cup ski events, there are plenty of skiing opportunities for beginners. Beaver Creek also famous for handing out free, fresh cookies every day and is perfect for families.

Beginner Runs

Head to Bachelor Gulch and try runs such as Cabin Fever, Dally, Strawberry Pak and Intertwine. We also recommend trying Red Buffalo which sits at nearly 11,500 feet. Offering spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, the run is a wide, gentle slope, passing by a handful of glades such as Jack Rabbit Alley.

Après Ski

Beaver Creek offers world-class fine dining, with numerous dining experiences available. Many of the resort’s venues are smart lounge bars, but we recommend Coyote Café and the Mountainside Bar and Grill if you’re looking for something a bit livelier.

Breckenridge

The Resort

A high-altitude ski town, Breckenridge boasts a long season spanning from November to April. Around two hours away from Denver Airport, Breckenridge offers 2,908 acres on five different peaks. An old gold mining town, the ski town is one of the most visited in the western hemisphere.

Runs

Breckenridge boasts some of the best trails to learn on in western USA thanks to its wide-open spaces. We recommend trying Silverthorne, Red Rover and Twister. Frontier is also a great option and includes ski-through tepees and mines. Additionally, Springmeier is often marked as slow and family-friendly.

Après Ski

Breckenridge offers fantastic apres ski, with over 50 restaurants and bars located in the town centre. It has a permanent festive atmosphere thanks to Christmas lights and decorations remaining throughout the season. In addition, to the nightlife, Breckenridge has a reputation for its breweries and distilleries.

Keystone

The Resort

Just under 2 hours away from Denver Airport, Keystone Resort is made up of 3 connected mountains, complete with tree-runs. Spanning across 3,087 acres, Keystone offers 120 runs and more lighted trails than any other resort in Colorado. Known for being one of the most family-friendly resorts, there are lots of activities for both kids and adults.

Runs

With green runs conveniently located at the resort base and at the top of Dercum Mountain, Keystone is a great option for beginners. Lessons often take place on the Discover slope, with 50 easy runs to progress on to. We recommend trying Endeavor which begins just below the Summit House and Schoolmarm, which is a designated family ski zone.

Après Ski

Although night-life in Keystone is mainly family orientated, there is still plenty to keep everyone entertained. Activities such as sleigh rides, night skiing, tubing and ice skating are available for those looking for more adventure. River Run Village contains the majority of après ski bars, with Kickapoo Tavern and Northern Tavern offering a selection of locally micro-brewed beers.

Loveland

The Resort

Loveland Ski Area is a ski and snowboard paradise around 1 hour 30 minutes from Denver Airport. Receiving an average of 422 inches of snow annually, Loveland consists of 1570 acres with a base elevation of 10,800 feet. The area is home to the Loveland Derby, the largest and oldest ski race in North America. Featuring a season that runs from October to May, Loveland’s 93 trials offer something for people of all abilities.

Runs

There are plenty of facilities for beginners at Loveland, including a Magic Carpet. Lifts 1 -7 (including the Ptarmigan Lift) all lead to beginner runs, but we recommend trying Lift 3 and 7 first. Whilst Lift 7 only serves gentle green runs, Lift 3 offers progression to blue runs within a safe, contained area. It’s also worth noting that there are no free skiers crossing paths with lesson groups in Loveland basin.

Après Ski

Nightlife at Loveland is mute, but there are still options for those looking for entertainment after hitting the slope. The Loveland Basin offers Wedge bar or The Rathskeller, whilst the Loveland Valley boasts the Fireside Room.

Snowmass

The Resort

9 miles from downtown Aspen, Snowmass is one of the best ski resorts for beginners in Colorado. Located in the White River National Forest, Snowmass is part of the Aspen/ Snowmass complex, but offers a completely different personality. The biggest of the four Aspen/Snowmass mountains, the village was inspired by the French Alps and offers lots of ski-in/ski-out accommodation.

Runs

Beginners should head to Lowdown Park where there is a small halfpipe to experiment on. There are also multiple Fun Zones scattered across the mountain, and the Boot Camp Park on Fanny Hill is also recommended.

Après Ski

There’s so many apres ski options in Snowmass that it’s hard to narrow down our favourites. As a starting point, we recommend the new Belgium Ranger Station at the Westin Snowmass or Venga Venga on the Snowmass Mall. If you’re looking for a patio to relax on Sneaky’s and Base Camp are great options whilst the Bar at Wildwood is the perfect nightlife spot.

We hope you’ve found inspiration for your next ski holiday to Colorado. Don’t forget you can get an instant quote from Ski-Lifts for your transfer from Denver Airport to all the main Colorado ski resorts. Don’t forget we cover plenty of other resorts in Colorado, including; Aspen, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain and Vail.

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Top Late-Season Ski Resorts in the Alps

With Easter weekend just around the corner, the ski season is sadly entering its final weeks. Don’t worry though, whether you’re looking for your first ski trip of the year or want to hit the slopes one last time before the season’s out, there are plenty of late-season ski resorts in the Alps. To help you choose which one to head to, here are a few of our favourites:

5 – Zermatt

If you want a spring skiing destination that is certain to have snow for your late-season ski trip, Zermatt could be for you. One of Switerzland‘s most famous resorts, Zermatt offers up to 360 kilometres of prepared pistes giving you plenty of space to ride. Easily accessed via Geneva Airport, Zurich Airport or Milan Airport, it’s a great choice for families, intermediates and experts and features extensive off-piste, incredible mountain restaurants and a vibrant car-free town. Home to the highest cable car station in Europe, the resort has snowsure slopes on Gornergrat and Rothorn until mid-April, but the area on the Theodul Glacier is open all year round.

4 – Les Arcs

With 70% of the ski resort located above 2000m, Les Arcs, France is perfect for a late-season ski trip. Offering varied slopes both on and off-piste and some incredible woodland runs, its great for ending the winter season on a high. Thanks to its altitude, natural snow coverage is guaranteed until the end of the season with the Paradiski skiing area and Les Arcs/ Peisey-Vallandry ski area closing on 25th April. Paradiski is also fitted with the latest in high-performance artificial snow systems enabling links to be maintained right until closing.

© Photo by James Preston (www.flickr.com/photos/jamespreston/3522012550/)

3 – Val d’Isere

One of the most popular resorts in the Alps, Val d’Isere offers high-quality snowsure slopes until 3rd May. Ideal for families and experts alike, the town is as good as the terrain. With the pistes of Val and Tignes naturally linked, you can spend more time on the slopes than on the lifts. Although snow in Val D’Isere is extremely reliable, snow cover is guaranteed thanks to La Snow Factory, the largest artificial snowmaking facility in Europe. If you find you need even more time, you can even usually ski during June and July on the Pissaillas glacier.

2 – Ischgl

Despite not having a glacier, Ischgl, Austria has one of the longest winter seasons in the Alps. Close to both Innsbruck Airport and Zurich Airport, the resort is known for its amazing snow quality and bold apres-ski. Offering 238km of pistes served by 45 lifts, the slopes are best suited to intermediates that enjoy covering a lot of ground. Closing on 3rd May, the resort’s famous closing party, Top of the Mountain concerts are not to be missed and have even attracted the likes of Elton John, Bon Jovi and Mariah Carey.

© Photo by Johannes Gruber (www.flickr.com/photos/hotel-eggerbraeu-imst/6169128642/)

1 – Val Thorens

The highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens, France is one of the best Alpine ski resorts for skiing in Spring. The highest resort in the sprawling 600-kilometre Three Valleys ski area, 99% of Val Thorens is situated above 2,000m guaranteeing snow until the end of the winter season on 3rd May. Featuring over 600km of runs, it’s the largest ski area in the world and benefits from the fastest lift systems in France. Suiting everyone from beginners to experts, Val Thorens remains the best place for one last run down the slopes.

We hope these suggestions have given you some inspiration for your late-season ski trip.