Canada is a great place for outdoor adventuring especially skiing and snowboarding. There’s a lot of choice when it comes to great slopes and resorts so we’ve listed a few of our favourite places in this fine country.
The people of Canada are some of the friendliest in the world. An old joke goes ‘How do you get a Canadian out of your swimming pool?’The answer – ‘Excuse me, could you get out of my swimming pool’. And it’s true, they’re polite and pleasant but better still, they know how to have a good time. Often eclipsed by the States, Canada may often be tainted as the more boring neighbour – we know whose company we prefer!
Have a look at the following resorts but remember a great deal of Canada is covered in snow for a great deal of the year so there are many great ski spots not listed.
• Mont Temblant, Quebec. The first ever ski resort in Canada, Mont Temblant is old school French chic and luxury. Exceptional ski conditions, great golfing as well as snow sports, this is a resort that delivers a lively pedestrian village for the whole family.
• Banff, Lake Louise. One of the most beautiful places in the world. Even if you are not a skier, head up the gondola for views that will put you in heaven. The resorts in this area are particularly notified for their relentless vertical monsters!
• Whistler – home of the largest accessible vertical in Canada (Blackcomb – 1630 meters) Whistler is one of the best known ski resorts in the world and enjoyed by the very wealthy as well as other top notch ski lovers.
• Vancouver – Host to the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver is currently considered one of the most desirable places to live in the world. The skiing is great, the beaches just as good and the culture and nightlife, also a great attraction
Oh what a fabulous two days we’ve had with some beautiful snow showers here in West Yorkshire and up in North Yorkshire where I work. Granted, the roads have been a bit difficult to drive on and it’s no fun without a big coat and two pairs of gloves but it’s sooooo fantastic to look out of the window, beyond the Christmas Tree and see huge big flakes falling down. I’vve got a bit of a chest infection at the moment so no sledging or snow hiking for me this weekend, instead I’m watching the fun from behind closed doors with a huge bowl of stew and dumplings and some trashy Christmas telly. It’s going to snow again tonight apparently – I’m beyond excited!
photo credit: Jarvist Frost
I love winter holidays and even as a non-skier (well a very novice, still very wary of the slopes skier) I have enjoyed many happy times in the snow and ice without feeling like I was missing out on any of the fun. You don’t really see ‘winter holidays’ advertised – you see ‘skiing holidays’ but that’s pretty off putting for non-skiers right? It certainly was for me until I took my first trip to Whistler about 5 years ago in the company of a couple of other non-skiers and had the time of my life! What I didn’t realise, and this must be the same for other non-skiers, is that taking a winter holiday in a ski resort can be fantastic way to spend a week or two, even if you aren’t convinced by the merits of speeding downhill with just those two planks of wood strapped to your feet….
There are hundreds of reasons why ski resorts can be good for non skiers or us total beginners, the secret is to book ahead and check out the other facilities available so you’ll know there are going to be alternatives. If you book the right resort, the range of activities on offer for non skiers can be endless and many ski deals will definitely make this a feature to attract more holidaymakers. Many cable cars and chairlifts accept non skiers, so it’s very easy to get a feel for the world of the skier, but to get back down the mountain at a speed you are comfortable. It is also possible to go snow-tubing, hiking, horse riding, dog sledding or any other number of snow related activities. Many ski resorts also have natural thermal pools to relax in, and a lot of ski resorts benefit from spa and pool facilities which can be enjoyed by all.
Depending on the resort you choose, the shopping and restaurant facilities can be absolutely fantastic. Some of the more exclusive resorts have a huge collection of boutique style shops (think Chanel and the like) and large resorts such as Chamonix have a great range of all types of shops. The cuisine in the Alps is superb – from regional restaurants serving up fondue and other cheese based delights, to sophisticated gastro restaurants serving up a wide variety of global foods, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Resorts in the Rockies and in Canada also have a fantastic range of shops and restaurants which really adds to the enjoyment of the holiday.
Of course, the mountains in the middle of winter can be one of the most amazing and exhilarating places to spend a holiday. The air is crystal clear, the scenery is beyond breathtaking and the weather (although often below freezing) can be still be pretty sunny. No wonder that for generations, the Alps in particular have been a popular destination for convalescence. Because of the its geography, ski resorts in the Alps are very often located within a short drive of some of Europe’s most beautiful cities – like Geneva. You can spend a fantastic day sightseeing local attractions if you choose not to go on the slopes.
So, as a non skier, you can also take real advantage of all the resorts have to offer. If you are on a week’s ski holiday, you will want to spend every hour of every day skiing, and all evening recovering. As a non skier, you holiday can be varied, and you can return home feeling like you’ve had a real break. Winter (or ski) holidays can appeal to everyone so why not book one today? I certainly will be….:-)