Vacation in Canada

[Fac6]

I want to take the wife and 3 kids on vacation to Canada towards the end of December. We want to go somewhere which is scenic, lots of snow and most importantly some opportunity for skiing.

We tried Whistler 3 years ago but it was far too expensive so want somewhere other than there.

I know we have a lot of ski and snowboard enthusiasts in CX so I was wondering if any of my colleagues could be kind enough to give me a heads up on some great places to go in Canada?

Cheers :ok:

Fac6

[AAIGUY]

Sunpeeks in Kamloops. 45 minutes flying from Vancouver or drive in 3-4 hrs.
Big White in Kelowna. Same distances.
Alternatively stay in Vancouver and enjoy Cypress which is 20 minutes from downtown

[Fac6]

Many thanks guys :ok:

[fire wall]

Lake Louise, Norquay, Sunshine (best snow of the lot), Kimberley's all ex Calgary and fantastic snow.
If you want to stay closer to YVR then definetly Big White.
Every time I have been to Cypress the snow has been too wet

[bigjames]

if you want a slightly different experience, fly the extra few hours to toronto, then on to montreal and mt. tremblant. much smaller hill than out west but completely different cultural experience!

[Taras B]

Vacations Canada (http://www.visitorstocanada.com/vacationscanada.html)

Canadian Visitor Tax Refund (http://www.visitorstocanada.com/visitortaxrefund.html)

[Mogas]

"Everything is in French but everyone can speak English."

Pas tout le monde est capable, but a worth a trip.

[obgraham]

Bring your winter woolies.

Or better yet, just bring your credit card and buy some. Winters have been so unpredictable lately that December could range from no snow at all and above freezing, to lots and lots of snow and -40 (F or C!).

[fatbus]

The coldest I ever skied was Sunshine and it was -25 c and the only place I was in -40 was the prairies.

Big White would be my recommendation, been skiing there for years , probably the best snow anywhere.

[obgraham]

Lake Louise, one February. It really was -40, absolutely still and absolutely beautiful. Nobody at all was heading out to ski, until a busload of Japanese tourists arrived. I didn't stick around to see how they managed.

[Flaps10]

Fly to Calgary and stay in Banff/Lake Louise - impossible to be dissapointed. There's already great snow at Sunshine. The town of Banff has lots to do day/night and is close to lots of great skiing, sight-seeing, and other winter activities. Hotels are abundant but if you want a fantastic hotel experience, stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel or my favourite, the Rimrock Hotel.

Banff Springs Hotels - Luxury Banff Springs Resort Hotel at Fairmont (http://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs/)
The Rimrock Resort Hotel - Banff National Park - CANADA (http://www.rimrockresort.com/)

Or if you want to stay somewhere a bit more economical but still nice, try the Banff Park Lodge.

Banff Park Lodge | Banff Hotel & Conference Centre | Canadian Rockies (http://www.banffparklodge.com/)

Getting to Calgary from Vancouver is a breeze with a multitude of daily flights on Westjet and Air Canada. Staff travel on both is easy but Westjet is best save for the fact that you have to pay for tickets in advance.

Rent a car or take one of the many shuttle services to Banff. Driving time is about 1:15. Banff is in Banff National Park so you'll have to pay to get a park pass at the parks entry. The town of Banff has 3 great ski resorts within a 30 min drive. Norquay is 10 mins, Sunshine about 15-20 and Lake Louise is about 30. All have shuttles. Many times you can get a multi-pass giving you access to multiple Ski Resorts over a 3-7 day period.

Banff, Alberta hotels - Banff National Park - Banff, Canada (http://www.banffnationalpark.com/)

Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort in Banff (Alberta) Canada - Banff (Alberta) (http://www.skibanff.com/)
The Lake Louise Ski Area & Mountain Resort - Alberta, Canada (http://www.skilouise.com/?m=ignore)
Mt. Norquay | Banff's Family Ski Resort and a Tradition since 1926 (http://banffnorquay.com/)

Eastern Canada has a lot to offer as stated above but the Skiiing doesn't come close to the West's and snow can be hit or miss early in the season. If you do go east, Mt. Tremblant is by far my favourite and is easily reached from Toronto, Montreal or even Ottawa.

Mont Tremblant Ski Resort Official Site - Ski, Hotel, Condos, Golf, Spa, 4 Seasons Vacations in Quebec, Canada (http://www.tremblant.ca/)

Cheers

[1200firm]

or take the shorter flight to/from Milan,then 180km drive/bus to Cervinia(south side of the Matterhorn). You can ski to/from Zermatt daily as well from Cervinia.

[Fac6]

Some great info here gents, appreciate the help :ok:

Many thanks

Fac6

[Tornado Ali]

Remember though, it IS full of Canadians...! :E

[Fac6]

Great info guys, I have been looking at the places and all look amazing!

One last question, I love beautiful scenery - What would you all say would be the best for that? Banf looks the winner to me?

Cheers

fac6

[Taras B]

Take the cable car ride for sure in Banff.

You can rent bathing suits and towels at the Banff hot springs; the view from the pool is breathtaking.

Drive up to Lake Louise for sure, not far from Banff, stay overnight.

There is also a 'scenic route' as you leave Banff town, its a winding two-lane highway through the snowy woods which leads back to Calgary. Check the map or ask. If its slippery, drive slowly.

Banff Springs Hotel does a really nice buffet breakfast.

Afternoon tea at the hotel is nice too.

[Clish]

Mont Tremblant is pretty good too

[JammedStab]

Mt. Tremblant can be great but I would hesitate to take a big trip there in December. There may not be much snow yet. And it can get very cold and windy all winter. I prefer the spring. Plus it could be a good snow season or a bad one.

If you are a picky skier like me(decent snow, sunny skies, reasonable temps, less crowds), then Tremblant is like much of eastern North America....a last minute destination after checking conditions out a couple of days before.

Tremblant in Winter (http://www.myfamilytravels.com/where/usa_canada/11334-Tremblant-Winter.html)

Two megastorms just hit Mt. tremblent and Northeast US. Now just wait for a nice day.