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Western ski resorts go higher, steeper, faster to lure alpine lovers
Looking for new terrain this ski season? Whether close to home at Jasper's beloved Marmot Basin, or discovering a "secret" hill in Terrace, B.C., we have the insider tips you need to plan your winter downhill getaway.
Go polar at Fernie
The new Polar Peak lift takes skiers to the very top of Fernie's spectacular, powdery terrain, the resort's vertical to 3,550 vertical feet.
"The Polar Peak lift is an incredible addition to the legendary Fernie experience," says Matt Mosteller, vice-president of marketing and sales. "This lift will provide spectacular views of peaks, valleys and lakes from Lake Koocanusa in the Southwest to the spine of the Canadian Rockies looking up the Elk Valley all the way into Kananaskis Country/Banff National Park. Polar Peak Lift is taking lift access skiing and riding to the next level, putting Fernie at the top of any skier's and rider's bucket list," Mosteller adds.
Seek new terrain
Take the new 500-metre traverse trail to Feuz Bowl on Kicking Horse's Redemption Ridge. This groomed trail allows easier access to classic Kicking Horse terrain, along with opening the spectacular scenery of Feuz Bowl to skiers who prefer to explore the mountain on groomed trails.
From the same traverse trail, the grooming team will be exploring additional grooming options on the south-facing Crystal Bowl side of Redemption Ridge. This new project will help provide fresh grooming options from the top of the Stairway to Heaven Chair into two alpine bowls. Get ready for exciting new options.
Marmot debuts fun features
The new location of the Rogers Terrain Park at Jasper's Marmot (skimarmot.com) is bigger and better and includes 15 fun features to get creative on. Think 30-foot and 40-foot tabletops, a battleship rail, a 20-foot rainbow rail, a picnic table and beginner boxes.
Heli-skiing takes you higher
Bearpaw Heli-skiing is set to open this January. Located one hour's drive from Prince George, B.C., the new operation is the child of Kevin Taylor and Amber Shipley, who also build custom log homes. A lodge will house guests who can partake in private heli-skiing (five or six day packages). This means that you and three other guests, plus two professional ACMG ski guides, will be floating over runs that range from 500 to 1,400 metres. The highest peak tops out at 3,041 metres, and the tenure size is 499,989 hectares. Let your imagination run wild.
Ultimate road trip
Head out to Prince George, B.C. and try Purden (purden.com/ski/wintersetup.html), Tabor (tabormountain.com), and Powder King (powderking.com). If your legs aren't screaming (or even if they are), continue to Hudson Bay Mountain (hudsonbaymountain.com/homepage) in Smithers and end the trip in Terrace at Shames Mountain (friendsofshames.ca). Shames is a "secret" location used by the ski film industry - including Matchstick Productions - because it has tons of snow and a huge, beckoning backcountry.
Sweet deals on the slopes
- Kimberley Alpine Resort: Ski in B.C. without a huge price tag. Fly from Edmonton on Integra Air to take advantage of the Trickle Creek Lodge Fly, Ski, Stay package. Fly to Canadian Rockies International Airport and ski at Kimberley Alpine Resort for 10 per cent off lift tickets and stay at Trickle Creek Lodge to save 20 per cent on accommodation. This ski-in, ski-out accommodation has a heated outdoor pool and two outdoor hot tubs where you can soak your sore muscles.
The package includes four nights accommodation in a Studio Suite at Trickle Creek Lodge, two three-day adult lift tickets for Kimberley Alpine Resort, and two round-trip airfares with Integra Air from Edmonton to Cranbrook from $518 per person (plus taxes/based on double occupancy). 1-800-258-7669 for reservations. Valid for stays from Dec. 17-23, 2011, Jan. 8 - Feb. 15, Feb. 27-April 8, 2012.
- Sunshine/Marmot: Try a Sunshine Marmot card to save on lift passes. At $84.95 plus GST, the card gets you free skiing or riding on your first, fourth and seventh visits. Looking ahead to the glories of spring skiing, a double discount applies in May - $26 off every time you ski/ride at these resorts. So mix it up a bit and see what Banff and Jasper have to offer.
- Kicking Horse: Check out Kicking Horse Mountain Resort's Ski Free, Stay Free package. It celebrates the resort's opening. Get a free night of lodging and free day of lifts plus kids 12 and under ski for free. This four-night lodging plus four-day lift ticket deal gets you your fourth night and day at the lifts for free. Check out kickinghorseresort.com/resort/accommodations/specials.aspx for more details. |
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發表於 2011-12-29 06:48
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