new heights - Calgary Herald

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CALGARY HERALD
WINTER 2013/14
NEW
HEIGHTS
PANORAMA MOUNTAIN
VILLAGE GROWING TO MEET
FUTURE DEMANDS
SNOW
PATROL
MAKE TRACKS FOR THE
HILLS – THERE’S A SLOPE
AT EVERY TURN
DISC VER
WINTER
CHEERY
OUTLOOK
TOAST THE SEASON AT
THESE SLOPE-SIDE
WINE AND SPIRITS FESTIVALS
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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wonders in
Lake Louise
OUR BACKYARD,
IS YOUR BACKYARD
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PHOTO: BANFF LAKE LOUISE TOURISM/PAUL ZIZKA
This Winter, Ski & Play for Free while
exploring the majestic beauty of Lake
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kick back and indulge in luxurious
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Package includes accommodation,
2 tri-area lift tickets daily - OR- a
$100 daily resort credit to be used
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To explore more ski packages
and to book, please visit:
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* The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise Ski & Play for Free package is based on double occupancy in a Fairmont room.
Subject to availability at time of booking. A one night non-refundable deposit required at the time of booking.
The ultimate winter getaway, can be
found in the heart of the Rockies at
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The
historic hotel nestles the shores of the
famed Lake Louise and is framed by
the breathtaking snow-capped Rocky
Mountains.
The Chateau’s location provides the
home base for an unmatched outdoor
winter experience with activities
ranging from the serene to the
extreme. There is world-class skiing at
the three ski resorts in Banff National
Park, including Lake Louise Ski Resort
only moments away, Sunshine Village
Ski & Snowboard Resort and Mount
Norquay. Guests at the Chateau can
experience cross-country skiing, ice
skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing,
snowmobile tours, ice canyon walks, or
a mountain heritage guide excursion
during their stay. The best part is all
this is available right outside the doors
of the hotel.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
is the perfect place to stay to get
the most out of a winter getaway.
Originally built as a base for outdoor
enthusiasts and alpinists, the Chateau
today offers 554 guest rooms and
suites, up-to-date technology and
conveniences, including a spa, and
36,000 square feet of meeting and
event space. There are numerous
shops, services and dining options,
ranging from regional fare to
traditional afternoon tea. Guests will
enjoy impeccable service that ensures
a stay at The Fairmont Chateau Lake
Louise is nothing short of memorable.
Also available is Fairmont Gold,
which is the pinnacle of the exclusive
lifestyle hotel experience.
This season, stay close to home and
explore the winter wonders of our own
backyard at The Fairmont Chateau
Lake Louise. For more information,
including winter get-away packages,
go to Fairmont.com/LakeLouise or call
1-800-441-1414.
contents
Sweeping Panorama New owners are
transforming B.C. ski mecca Panorama Mountain Resort one expansion at a time.
4/5
spice of winter
You don’t have to be an avid skier or snowboarder to enjoy winter. Consider these
alternatives.
6
White out
Everywhere you look in the West —
including Montana and Idaho — there’s a
ski resort beckoning.
— Travel Alberta/Anthony Redpath
7
Celebrate the season
Cower from winter? Not likely. Here in the
West, it’s just another excuse for a party.
16
Wining about winter
Yes you can at festivals dedicated to the grape
and other heartwarming spirits.
18
Plus: Best of....
These are just a few of our favourite places
for backcountry lodges, winter views and
apres-skiing.
6, 16 and 19
ON THE COVER:
Panorama Snow School; photo by Evan
Mitsui; courtesy Panorama Mountain Village
Discover Winter
is a special publication of
the Calgary Herald
Publication Date: Oct. 26, 2013
Project co-ordinator: Jennifer Worley
403-235-7119
[email protected]
Warm up to winter
From ice fishing on northern lakes to storm watching on the West Coast, it’s
easy to embrace the cooler season. By Gerald Vander Pyl
In winter Calgarians have two choices — huddle indoors
waiting for the return of spring, or get out and enjoy.
Both Alberta and British Columbia offer countless ways
to welcome winter.
“We look at it as embracing winter, not moaning about
it,” says Royce Chwin, chief marketing officer with Travel
Alberta. “If you’re going to do winter right, you’re coming to Alberta, because Alberta has a great series of winter experiences all through this province.”
Skiing and snowboarding are obvious first choices, he says.
“We have an international reputation for downhill skiing and snowboarding at our Banff resorts, and great
cross-country skiing, particularly at Canmore. But I don’t
think people realize that there are more than 25 resorts
for downhill skiing throughout Alberta.”
Snowmobiling is another option, and Chwin says the
province has many great places to sled, including near
Whitecourt, northwest of Edmonton.
Other activities include dog sledding near Lake Louise, Canmore and Banff; snow tubing; ice fishing on lakes renowned
for the sport such as Slave Lake, Cold Lake, or Calling Lake; or
“for those with no fear of heights, there’s ice climbing.”
Then there are more exotic winter experiences, such as
walking through an icy frozen river canyon, such as Johnston Canyon near Banff or Maligne Canyon near Jasper.
“You can take a great walk through the ice canyon at
Johnston, then actually hop on a trail and snowshoe a
trail all the way up to an area known as the Ink Pots. It’s
absolutely a stunning piece of landscape,” Chwin says.
Winter festivals can also help take the chill off. There’s
everything from city-based events such as Ice on Whyte
in Edmonton, the Canmore Nordic Festival, Snow Days
in Banff and the uniquely named Tongue on a Post Bluegrass Music Festival in Lethbridge.
Across the border in British Columbia, winter is a fantastic time to visit, says Janice Greenwood-Fraser with
Destination British Columbia.
While ski vacations are always popular, GreenwoodFraser says, “there are a lot of reasons beyond skiing to
come into B.C. during the winter. With so many mountain
ranges we have an amazing wealth of opportunities.”
She says snowshoeing has really taken off in the last
few years.
“It’s one of those activities that has a pretty low threshold. It doesn’t require a lot of special skills or equipment,
but it really creates access to a lot of different areas.”
Snowshoers can find trails for a short and gentle outing, or create a backcountry expedition.
Snowmobiling is another great way to enjoy the wilds
in B.C. Greenwood-Fraser suggests newcomers to the
sport try a guided half-day or day-long trip with a tour
company, while more experienced sledders can stay at
backcountry lodges that cater specifically to them.
Thanks to milder weather, winter in B.C. can include
many un-winterlike activities such as golfing, bike riding,
beachcombing and surfing on Vancouver Island. Another
unique opportunity is storm watching along the west
coast of Vancouver Island.
“Some of these fantastic rainstorms come in off the Pacific,
and you can be staying in a cozy lodge or cabin on the beach
and watching those storms roll in,” says Greenwood-Fraser.
“It’s really quite amazing.”
Discover Winter | 2013/14 3
2013_Discover_Magazine-CH.indd 1
10/7/2013 5:45:31 PM
“
One of the goals set early on was to become the best familyfocused resort in Canada within five years. We’re three years into
that now and are well on our way.
It’s a beautiful autumn day and Rick Jensen with
Panorama Mountain Village is providing a tour of
developments taking place on the mountain, located 18
kilometres west of Invermere, B.C.
Having driven high up the ski slopes, Jensen stops at a
landing to point out construction underway on additional
snowmaking, and the planned alignment of a new chairlift
to be installed next summer in time for the 2014-15 ski
season.
From the viewpoint he outlines the location of a new
residential development on the mountain called Trappers
Ridge that is moving ahead with an initial phase of singlefamily homes.
Jensen, who recently stepped away from his post as
CEO and president to head up Panorama’s Trappers Ridge
development, is enthusiastic about what is taking place at
the resort during a time when many are scaling back plans
or putting things on hold after the recession.
As the most visible of the group of local owners that
bought Panorama in 2010 from Intrawest, Jensen says
they are committed to investing in the future of the
resort — to the tune of almost $12 million over the next
two years.
Jensen says with the ski industry flat, you have to build
and compete to gain market share.
“That’s why it’s so exciting to be part of the creation and
growth of a world-class resort.”
Sitting down to chat in the clubhouse at Greywolf Golf
Course, also located in the mountain village, where outside
a new clubhouse is under construction, Jensen talks more
about the philosophy of the ownership group.
“One of the goals set early on was to become the best
family-focused resort in Canada within five years. We’re
three years into that now and are well on our way,” says the
former mayor of Cranbrook.
A dedicated family man himself, who years ago would
bundle up his children in Cranbrook and take them skiing
at nearby Kimberley, Jensen now has five grandchildren to
enjoy.
His love of skiing intact, he recently joined a
granddaughter in achieving her birthday goal of skiing
more than 100,000 vertical feet at Panorama during a long
weekend, in fact they did more than 130,000 feet.
So Jensen seems like the perfect “face” of the owners’
group, which he says consists mainly of people with similar
backgrounds who also now own property at Panorama and
consider it their home ski hill.
He says while he wasn’t looking to buy a ski resort, when
the opportunity presented itself, he set out to round up
fellow owners and the necessary funds.
Yet it was no quickie real estate play.
The ownership group committed early on to not receive
any interest or dividends on their investment for the first
10 years, with profits going toward improving the resort,
Jensen says.
“The money that was going to be invested had to be
patient money, because it was a long-term proposal.”
He says the initial change when they took over the resort
in 2010 was to create an employee culture that focused on
creating an outstanding guest experience. Later, new family
facilities, events and activities were added.
HIGHER
GROUND
Panorama Mountain Village elevates
its offerings despite the economic odds
Story by Gerald Vander Pyl
4
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
— Tourism BC/David Gluns
”
Rick Jensen, a member of the Panorama ownership group.
— Gerald Vander Pyl photo
Then a decision some in the ski industry may view as
risky was made to move ahead with major on-mountain
improvements, including the chairlift and development of
new real estate.
Jensen says Panorama was lucky to not have an inventory
of unsold real estate like some resorts.
“Over the last three years, in talking with people, we felt
the time (for new real estate) was right. But, absolutely, it’s a
risk because the economy is still on the rebound and there is
a lot of product (available) in the valley.”
The decision seems to have been the right one. The first
phase of Trappers Ridge is already selling well, with prices
that Jensen says hit the widest part of the market with an
on-mountain lot and home starting under $500,000.
However, he says it doesn’t stop there, as the ownership
group plans to continue expanding both real estate and onmountain facilities.
Over time new developments will double the capacity
of the resort so it can accommodate 7,600 visitors. Also,
the commercial component of the village is expected to
quadruple, new chair lifts and runs will be added, and
with the resort’s tenure allowing expansion to the top
of Mount Goldie, it could reach 5,000 vertical feet of
terrain.
All heady stuff, but nothing out of the ordinary for
Jensen, who has tackled a variety of challenges in the past
that range from founding a successful construction and
development company, to serving three terms as mayor of
Cranbrook.
“It’s been challenging,” admits Jensen, “but it has been
rewarding. We’ve come a long way in setting the stage for
our next growth period in Panorama.”
Discover Winter | 2013/14 5
Best
backcountry
lodges
Getting away from it all
doesn’t mean roughing
it. Some backcountry
lodges offer accommodations from luxurious
to comfortable:
Golden Alpine Holidays, B.C.
With four alpine lodges, Golden
Alpine Holidays caters to skiers who
tour from lodge to lodge, along
with skiing on 26,300 hectares of
mountain slopes. The most wellappointed lodge is Sentry, with
Internet access for people who
enjoy the backcountry, but need to
stay in touch with civilization.
So mush more
If skiing or snowboarding isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other
winter activities to try; no experience required By Gerald Vander Pyl
Discovering winter in Western Canada can
mean enjoying some great activities in addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding.
Even better is the fact you don’t have to be
an expert to try many winter sports, you just
need a sense of adventure and the help of
professional guides and tour operators.
Here’s a look at some fun winter activities:
Dog Sledding
A traditional way to travel in Canada in the
wintertime, dog sledding can be enjoyed by
beginners with a tour by one of many sled
dog companies in the West.
Participants can take a leisurely ride in a sled
led by a skilled musher, or learn the basics of
piloting a team of Alaskan or Siberian sled dogs
themselves, under the watchful eye of an expert.
Sled dog tours can be booked at places that
range from Banff, Lake Louise and Canmore, to
Rocky Mountain House, and B.C. communities
like Valemont, Prince George and Quesnel, and
even at B.C. ski resorts such as Sun Peaks or
Panorama Mountain Village.
Some backcountry lodges also offer dog
sledding as one of many activities that can be
enjoyed during a extended stay.
Visit HelloBC.com or TravelAlberta.com.
Snowmobiling
Both Alberta and British Columbia have
6
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
many great places to snowmobile, from prairie
landscapes and boreal forests to wide mountain valleys and alongside towering peaks.
Current hot spots for sledding in Alberta
include northern areas such as Whitecourt,
the Wood Buffalo Region with its Anzac and
Stony Mountain trails, and the Iron Horse
Trail near Smoky Lake, and way south in the
Crowsnest Pass.
In B.C., Golden, Revelstoke, and Sicamous
along the Trans-Canada Highway are centres
for snowmobiling, with trail systems maintained
by local clubs. In areas such as the West Kootenays and near Whistler and Pemberton, snowmobiles are used both by enthusiasts of the
sport and also as access vehicle for backcountry
skiers and snowboarders looking for powder.
Snowmobile tour companies provide everything a beginner needs to enjoy a snowmobile outing, from equipment such as helmets,
to instruction and even a picnic lunch in a
scenic spot, such as Paradise Mines, across
the valley from the Panorama ski hill.
Good resources for snowmobilers are the
websites of the Alberta Snowmobile Association AltaSnowmobile.ab.ca and the British
Columbia Snowmobile Federation BCSF.org.
Cross-Country Skiing
A winter sport that can be enjoyed by
anyone from ages five to 105, cross-country
— Tourism British Columbia
skiing can be as simple as heading out to
a snowy local park in the city and sliding
around, to visiting an area with groomed ski
trails, a day lodge and other facilities.
Many cross-country ski trail systems are still
free, or rely on a minimal cost day pass or donation to a local club that maintains the trails.
In Kananaskis Country, there are hundreds
of kilometres of trails available for free, while
at the nearby Canmore Nordic Centre the
public can ski for a small fee on the same
trails used in international competitions.
Many downhill ski resorts in Alberta and
B.C. also have cross-country ski operations,
with reasonably-priced day passes or winter
season passes.
Better known spots include Fernie Alpine
Resort, Panorama Mountain Village, SilverStar
Mountain near Vernon, Whitewater Ski Resort
near Nelson, B.C., Sun Peaks near Kamloops,
and Mount Washington on Vancouver Island.
Other downhill ski resorts have a nearby
cross-country ski trail system run by a separate
group, such as the Moonraker Trails near Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, the Kimberley
Nordic Centre near Kimberley Alpine Resort,
and the Lost Lake Trails and Whistler Olympic
Park, both near Whistler, B.C. There are even
backcountry lodges that offer groomed ski
trails such as Nipika Mountain Resort just outside Kootenay National Park and Highway 93.
— Skoki Lodge/ Chris Moseley
Skoki Lodge, Alta.
Built in 1931 by original owners,
the Ski Club of the Canadian Rockies, Skoki Lodge is now a national
historic site that continues to serve
new generations of backcountry
skiers during winter. After skiing 11
kilometres into the lodge, guests
enjoy gourmet meals and a rustic,
yet comfortable, existence with
heat from a wood stove, and lighting provided by lanterns.
Assiniboine Lodge, B.C.
The first ski lodge in the Canadian
Rockies, Assiniboine was built in
1928 in the shadow of Canada’s
Matterhorn — Mount Assiniboine.
Winter visitors arrive on skis or
by helicopter and bunk down in
lodge rooms or private cabins.
Gourmet meals are served daily, a
treat after a day of cross-country
or ski touring.
— Sun Peaks Resort
The white stuff
Whatever your winter passion, ski resorts in the West
have something for everyone By Gerald Vander Pyl
Western Canada is blessed with geography and weather that makes it the ideal
location for all types of skiing and boarding,
says David Lynn, president & CEO of Canada
West Ski Areas Association.
The region is home to more than 130
ski areas, which offer a diverse experience
ranging from alpine skiing and snowboarding, to nordic skiing, and also helicopter and
cat skiing alternatives, says Lynn.
“This includes 18 destination ski resorts, numerous large and small local hills, and over 40
helicopter and cat-skiing operations,” he says.
In addition, Calgarians have skiing and
snowboarding available just across the U.S.
border in areas like Montana and Idaho,
with its Schweitzer Mountain Resort near
Sandpoint, Idaho.
Mack Deibel, with the Greater Sandpoint
Chamber of Commerce, says while winters are
mild in town, there is plenty of snow and great
skiing and snowboarding up at Schweitzer.
“Schweitzer Mountain Resort is one the
premier ski destinations in all of the Northwest. It’s the largest ski resort in Washington
or Idaho.”
Deibel says many people on a ski vacation
also enjoy the other winter activities available
in Sandpoint, everything from sleigh rides to
an eclectic mix of shopping and great dining.
Sandpoint is only about an hour’s drive
further than some Montana ski resorts that
are popular with Calgarians.
A great addition to the skiing and snowboarding experience at resorts in the West
has been the creation of skier villages.
“There is no doubt that the skier villages
at the destination ski resorts have greatly
enhanced the enjoyment of a ski vacation,”
says Lynn. “These resorts typically offer accommodation, dining, retail and a host of
others services. All of this provides a great
setting for an outstanding winter vacation,
often with little or no need for driving.”
Another trend has been the addition of
activities at ski resorts for non-skiing members
of a family or group, or for skiers to enjoy
after — or instead of — a day on the slopes.
“The diversity of activities offered by
western Canadian ski resorts continues to
grow,” says Lynn. “Various resorts offer
cross-country skiing, tubing, skating and
even ice climbing. It is becoming increasingly true that western Canadian ski resorts
offer something for everyone.”
To help make skiing and snowboarding
more affordable, many resorts provide ways
to save money on everything from lift tickets
to ski vacations.
A season’s pass offers excellent value for
skiers and boarders who hit the slopes frequently, while many resorts offer skier cards
that provide discounted lift tickets, says Lynn.
Resorts also have bundled ski vacation deals
that combine accommodation and lift tickets.
In addition to the deals offered by individual ski resorts, the Canadian Ski Council
(SkiCanada.org) has some excellent offers,
including the Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass.
Even with all they have to offer, many ski
resorts continue to boost their amenities
and services for visitors.
“In recent years, the western Canadian ski
resorts have made significant investments
to improve the quality of their products and
services,” says Lynn.
Ski Schweitzer
Skijoring at Winter Carnival Dining and nightlife
Experience winter
Make tracks to Sandpoint, Idaho ...
for a winter vacation to remember!
No matter what your pace, you’ll love this
beautiful place. Just 50 miles south of the
border, Sandpoint offers nirvana for crosscountry skiers and snowshoers - not to
mention amazing downhill skiing and
snowboarding at Schweitzer Mountain.
Magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest
lake, provides the stunning backdrop. And the
town itself is chock-full of fine dining, luxurious
WHA
lodging, eclectic shopping, and an overflowing
calendar of arts and entertainment. For an
extra kick, catch Sandpoint Winter Carnival,
Feb. 14-23, 2014, highlighted by skijoring,
the unique cowboy-meets-skier event where
skiers careen through obstacles pulled by
horse and rider. It’s an old Norse sport, with
a wild West twist. This winter ... get on pace
with Sandpoint!
T A B E A U T I F U L PA C E
Beautiful
MOST
SM A LL
Get lodging, dining & more
www.VisitSandpoint.com
1.800.800.2106
TO W N
8
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
Discover Winter | 2013/14 9
Skiing B.C.
British Columbia is home to some of the best ski resorts in
Canada, from family-friendly hills and world-famous powder
paradises, to resorts with terrain to challenge even the best skiers
and snowboarders. The 2013-14 season promises some exciting
changes at the Top 10 destination resorts in B.C. Here are a few:
— Whistler Blackcomb
Big White Ski Resort has added a new
$400,000 Piston Bully grooming machine
that will focus on beginner and intermediate terrain. The Kids Centre was expanded
to add the Loose Moose Emporium with
ski clothing, winter apparel and candy. A
$300,000 upgrade has improved the nordic
trails and created separate trails for snow-
shoeing, dog sledding and paths for dog
walking. New establishments in the village
included The Blarney Stone Irish tavern and
The Woods Wine & Tapas Bar.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort has
extended and enhanced the traverse along
Redemption Ridge to provide better access
to terrain, including several new chutes
into Crystal Bowl. A new family skiing
area called The Pony is being created on
the Catamount chair for beginners and
families. A new real estate development
called The Cedars offers resort homes and
townhomes.
See Kimberley, page 12
— Big White Ski Resort
POWDER ACCESS
Vacation your way.
FROM
F
ROM Y
YOUR
OU R F
FRONT
RONT D
DOOR
OOR
( ccan
an yyou
ou ssay
ay sski-in
ki-in sski-out?
ki-out?? )
And save up to 30%.
Unbeknownst to many, Sun Peaks is the second largest ski area in
British Columbia, with close to 4,000 acres of terrain. Our terrain
Guests like you asked for more flexibility in booking their vacations.
So here it is, the Winter Flex Package. It’s really simple.
Receive a discount on your lodging and lift tickets when you book
both at the same time. Stay for 3, ski for 4. Stay for 6, ski for 5.
And save on both, up to 30%. You get the idea...
encircles the ski-through village in a unique 360° layout letting you slide
right into a restaurant, café, or your accommodation at a moment’s
notice. You won’t find crowds here, nor will you end up waiting in
lineups. You’ll spend time where it matters—on the mountains. The snow
is dry and effortless, conditions that are famous to this region of the
province. Ask any passionate local and they’ll let you in on where the
secret stashes are. Our community will have you feeling right at home
and smiling in no time.
16th Annual Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan
Wine Festival • January 11–19, 2014
Festival Experience Package
$399
* Starting from, per person.
1.855.440.1404
www.SunPeaksResort.com
*Package pricing based on two people and the events: ‘Taste of the Thompson’, ‘Port, Chocolate and Cheese: After the
Après Social’, ‘The Sun Peaks Progressive Tasting’, and the ‘Winter Festival of Wine Brunch’. Other restrictions may apply.
Limited time savings!
Book by November 17, 2013.
Winter FLEX Package:
Plus!
Lodging Deals:
Unlimited skiing,
snowboarding,
tubing, tobogganing
and cross country
skiing – new with
PanoPass – free
every day your lift
ticket is valid.
Nights
2
3
4
5
6+
Discount*
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Lift Ticket Deals:
Days
1-2
3
4
5
6+
Discount*
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
Conditions apply - listed online at SkiPanorama.com/winter-flex.
Includes 3 nights and choice
of 4 Wine Festival events!
Visit www.SunPeaksResort.com/Wine-Festival for details.
Book or find out more, by phone or online: 1.800.663.2929 SkiPanorama.com
Photos: Adam Stein, Kelly Funk
Discover Winter | 2013/14 11
Skiing B.C.
Skiing B.C.
DISCOVER THE DIVERSITY OF BC SKI RESORTS & AREAS
1 Whistler Blackcomb
Revelstoke Mountain Resort has improved the Ninja
Traverse that brings skiers back from the Southside runs to
the base of The Stoke chair. An upgrade to snowmaking
on the lower mountain will also provide better coverage
for the groomed runs down to the village.
— Panorama Mountain Village
Kimberley, from page 10
Kimberley Alpine Resort has built a new Green run
called Alpine Slide that will allow beginners to avoid the steep
lower mountain headwall on the Main run under the Northstar Quad chair. The resort has also purchased a BR350 Snowcat which excels at grooming even the steepest slopes.
Panorama Mountain Village has unveiled an all-inclusive lift ticket and season pass that, in addition to downhill
skiing and snowboarding, provides access to cross-country
skiing, night skiing, tubing, tobogganing and snowshoeing.
The resort has launched a new development of single-family homes called Trappers Ridge. A new clubhouse is also
under construction at Greywolf Golf Course.
— Whistler Blackcomb
— Iconic village at Silver Star Mountain Resort
Silver Star Mountain Resort has added a new learning and winter play area called The Zone right beside
the village. In addition to beginner terrain, The Zone will
include the Jib Zone with small rails and introductory park
features, and the Air Zone with a Katal air bag open on
Friday and Saturday evenings. The resort’s main terrain park
will be adding a skier/boarder cross this season.
Whistler Blackcomb is completing an $18-million expansion that includes a new six-pack chair to replace the
previous Harmony quad on Whistler Mountain, and a new
high-speed quad chairlift in Blackcomb’s Crystal Zone. The
Harmony six-pack will result in quicker uploads in the Harmony Zone. The new quad will provide an extended vertical
of 1,755 feet compared to the 1,236 of the old Crystal
chair, with the base station now reaching the Blackcomb
Glacier ski out. This will allow skiers and snowboarders to
bypass the Excelerator chair for quicker access to runs off
Spanky’s Ladder and the Blackcomb Glacier.
The statistics alone of the
twin giants Whistler and
Blackcomb are breathtaking: More than 200 trails,
8,171 acres and 37 lifts, a
maximum vertical of 5,280
feet, 17 on-mountain restaurants, and a ski season
that starts in early November and includes the only
glacier skiing in Canada
from mid-June until the end
of July. But numbers aside,
Whistler, like all resorts in
B.C., is best experienced
rather than read about.
BC SKI RESORTS
1 Whistler Blackcomb
2 Big White Ski Resort
3 Sun Peaks Resort
4 Fernie Alpine Resort
FORT NELSON
5 Panorama Mountain Village
CANADA
6 Silver Star Mountain Resort
7 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
8 Kimberley Alpine Resort
9 Whitewater Winter Resort
USA
10 Revelstoke Mountain Resort
OTHER BC SKI AREAS
FORT ST. JOHN
A Cypress Mountain
H
B Grouse Mountain
G
C Mount Seymour
D Shames Mountain
D
E Hudson Bay Mountain
E
SMITHERS
F Murray Ridge Ski Area
F
G Powder King Mountain Resort
2 Big White Ski Resort
The ski area that practically invented the term “champagne
powder,” Big White is all that
its name suggests, with copious amounts of fluffy powder,
and 16 lifts serving 118 runs.
Big White was also a pioneer
in the trend of ski resorts offering non-skiing activities for
guests, including an ice-climbing tower, snowmobile tours,
dog sledding, horse-drawn
sleigh rides, ice skating, a tube
park and snowshoeing.
H Bear Mountain Ski Hill
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Tabor Mountain Ski Resort
Purden Ski Village
Troll Ski Resort
Mount Timothy Ski Area
Mount Cain
Hemlock Resort
Crystal Mountain
Harper Mountain
Summit Lake
Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area
Manning Park Resort
Mount Baldy
Phoenix Mountain
Salmo Ski Hill
Apex Mountain Resort
Red Mountain Resort
Mount Washington Alpine Resort
I
PRINCE GEORGE
J
K
L
WEST
VANCOUVER
A
B
C
KAMLOOPS
M
VANCOUVER
VANCOUVER
INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
VANCOUVER
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| Discover Winter | 2013/14
T U
8
CRANBROOK
9
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4
V
VICTORIA
SEATTLE
3 Sun Peaks Resort
4 Fernie Alpine Resort
The installation of the Polar
Peak chair two seasons ago
gave Fernie a lift into the
upper echelon of Canadian
Rockies’ resorts, boosting
the vertical to 3,550 feet.
That only added to the
lure of a ski hill famous for
powder, with an impressive
1,100 cm of snowfall covering the slopes in a typical
season.
2
SPOKANE
Airport
Known for its great, long
cruising runs, Sun Peaks also
has vast alpine bowls, great
bump runs, and plenty more
spread out over three mountains: Mount Tod, Morrisey
and Sundance. In fact, the
resort’s 3,678 acres of terrain
make it the second-largest
ski area in B.C.
KELOWNA
W
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5 R
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6
1
CALGARY
P
WHISTLER
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BANFF
7
10
3
NORTH
VANCOUVER
USA
© 2013 – Destination BC Corp. – All rights reserved
5 Panorama Mountain
Village
Although its burly statistics
that include 4,000 vertical
feet and 2,847 acres of terrain sound daunting, in fact
about 75 per cent of the runs
at Panorama are rated for
beginners and intermediates,
making it a great family hill.
Experts, too, have their fun,
particularly in Taynton Bowl,
an area of Black and Double
Black runs that was formerly
heli-ski terrain.
6 Silver Star Mountain Resort
Almost like two ski hills in one,
Silver Star greets visitors with
the Vance Creek slopes that
feature great terrain for the
entire family, while hidden out
of sight over the back is the
8 Kimberley Alpine
Resort
Powder Gulch Express on PutA famously family-friendly ski
nam Creek, an area of Black
resort, Kimberley surprises
and Double Black runs to test
many people by being bigger
the best. It all adds up to a
than they first realized, with
vertical drop of 2,500 feet and
2,465 vertical feet of terrain
3,065 acres of terrain.
and 1,800 acres of terrain.
Green and Blue skiers love
Kicking
Horse
7
the frontside Northstar quad
Mountain Resort
chair, while advanced skiers
Steep and deep is many
and boarders slide over to
people’s description of Kicktwo lifts tucked around the
ing Horse, after experienccorner of the mountain.
ing the 4,133 vertical feet
and 85 inbound chutes, the
most chutes of any resort
9 Whitewater Ski Resort
Often described by ski media
in North America. Yet the
as “skiing the way it’s meant
hill has a softer side, with
to be,” Whitewater is all
plenty of powder and a
about the snow, with more
lower mountain lift perfect
than 1,200 cm falling each
for beginners or families just
season, and huge areas of
starting out.
lift-serviced backcountry terrain available for experienced
skiers and boarders. A new
lift opened in 2010 greatly
expanded the inbounds
terrain to 81 runs.
10 Revelstoke Mountain
Resort
After one of the most talked
about resort openings in the
past 30 years, Revelstoke
has come into its own as
a big resort with a smalltown vibe. With terrain that
includes high-alpine bowls,
great glades and almost
endless groomed runs lower
on the mountain, Revelstoke
makes the most of its 5,620
vertical feet of skiing, the
most in North America.
Discover Winter | 2013/14 13
WHISTLER
MORE SNOW. MORE VARIETY. MORE ACCESS.
— Thinkstock photo
Weather or not
TWO NEW LIFTS
Predicting today’s forecast is tricky business for meteorologists,
especially in the Calgary region
Introducing the new
Crystal Ridge Express and
Harmony 6 Express.
Predicting the weather is notoriously
difficult. Especially in Calgary.
Environment Canada meteorologist Bill
McMurtry says if you look at the city, it has
prairies on the eastern edge and foothills on
the west side.
“We’re right in a transition zone between
where weather patterns develop and where
they move off,” says McMurtry. “If you were to
physically pick up the city of Calgary and move
it 60 kilometres to the east or 60 kilometres to
the west, it would be a lot easier to forecast.”
Since moving the city is unlikely, the federal agency uses high-tech tools to figure
out what the day will bring. And not just in
Alberta. The Edmonton-based weather centre’s region also includes northern Saskatchewan and areas in the Arctic.
“Their area of responsibility stretches all
the way from the 49th parallel, including Waterton Lakes, all the way up to well north of
Resolute Bay,” says McMurtry of the province’s
lone Environment Canada weather centre.
In comparison, McMurtry says the state of
Montana, which is about two-thirds the size
of Alberta, has four weather forecast centres.
Creating a daily forecast starts with the
gathering of huge amounts of information
that is entered into computers to produce
a weather model. Some of the most important data comes from thousands of weather
balloons that are released twice each day
across Canada and around the world at
exactly the same times.
“That information is then collected and it
forms a significant part of the basic information that is fed into the computer (weather)
models,” explains McMurtry.
Satellite readings on things like cloud cover, data from the 30 weather radar stations
in Canada and information from numerous
surface weather stations are also collected.
“So there’s a whole host of information
that is fed in, and then the computer models
will take that information and, four times a
day, will process it and create graphical outputs, which the weather forecaster will then
interpret to create the weather forecast.”
McMurtry says that’s where the skill of the
meteorologist comes into play.
“The computer models will put out a first
guess, then it’s up to the meteorologist to
analyze that information and see if that
model is reasonable or if it needs to be
reassessed or adjusted.”
Because of the huge forecast area,
Edmonton forecasters concentrate on areas
where active or significant weather will have
the highest impact on the public.
As well, they focus on the first and second
days of the seven-day forecast, with much of
the predictions for days three to seven being
created automatically by the computers.
— Gerald Vander Pyl
COMING WINTER 2013.14
P: Blake Jorgenson
BOOK BY NOVEMBER 15 & SAVE BIG
BOOK EARLY, SAVE BIG.
Get the best deals of the season — guaranteed.
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If you’re looking for more out of your winter vacation, look no further
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PER PERSON
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Plus this season, the Whistler Blackcomb experience gets even better, with two new lifts
giving skiers and riders quicker, easier access to some of our best terrain.
fly from
And to top it all off, early bird deals mean you save big on airfare and Ski & Stay packages,
CALGARY
but only if you book by November 15. Call or go online today.
1.888.600.2655
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*Starting from package rate is per person per night, based on 2 people sharing a studio from Nov 28-Dec 12, 2013. Package includes 5 nights accommodations and a 4-day lift ticket per person. Taxes and fees are extra. Restrictions may apply. Early
booking offer available until November 15, 2013. **Kids free: 1 free child (12 and under), per paying adult. Free child lift ticket, rental and airport transfers must be equivalent to the paying adult. Blackout dates apply. Must book by November
15, 2013. Other packages available throughout the winter season, please inquire for details. †Airfare: Rate shown is roundtrip and includes taxes and fees. Fare is subject to change at any time. Minimum, maximum stay, & advance purchase
requirements in effect. Fare must be booked by Nov 15, 2013. Blackout from Dec 12, 2013 to Jan 9, 2014, February 15 – March 16, 2014 and from April 18-21, 2014. Fare is 100% nonrefundable & fees will be collected for changes. Fare is only
available when booked in conjunction with a minimum of 3 nights accommodation.
14
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
tourismcanmore.com
Discover Winter | 2013/14 15
Best
apres-ski
Western Canada has some of the
best ski resorts in the world, it also
has some great apres-ski bars to
unwind after a day on the slopes.
Here are some of the best:
— Ice Magic at Lake Louise; photo courtesy Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Make room for winter
Celebrate the season with these events you’ll want to mark on your calendar
With many great festivals and events taking place in Alberta
and British Columbia, it’s easy to beat the wintertime blues.
Here are a few of the hottest and coolest events scheduled.
Millarville Christmas Market
During summer, the Millarville Market is a popular event for
Calgarians who enjoy a scenic drive into the countryside.
A Millarville Christmas Market, started in 1988, has also been
a big hit, and this year’s event takes place Nov. 8 to 11 at the
Millarville Racetrack. The market features the work of numerous artists, artisans and craftspeople, with everything from
jewelry to pottery, clothing, quilts and original photographs.
As well, as many food vendors sell meat, baked goods and
treats. A Santa’s Workshop is also available where children
can work on crafts or decorate a cookie while their parents
browse the market. millarvilleracetrack.com
The city of Vernon is celebrating winter in a big way during
the Vernon Winter Carnival from Feb. 7 to 16, 2014.
Events are still being finalized, but should include longtime
favourites such as the hot air balloon festival and nighttime glow, the B.C. Championship Snow Sculpture Contest, guided moonlight snowshoe tours, a kids’ carnival
and broomball and curling tournaments. The event kicks
off with the 54th annual Vernon Winter Carnival parade
through downtown. vernonwintercarnival.com
Ice Magic Festival
Lake Louise becomes even more scenic during Ice Magic, an
event now stretching over two weekends with activities for
the whole family. Celebrating its 20th year, Ice Magic includes
the International Ice Carving Competition Jan. 17 to 19, 2014,
16
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
held at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Watch ice carvers create works of art from 300-pound blocks of ice on the
shores of Lake Louise. On Jan. 25 and 26, the Little Chippers
Weekend gives families a chance to view the completed ice
carvings, and try their hand at ice carving. There will also be an
indoor activity centre, and family skating on Lake Louise with
the Banff Ice Queen. banfflakelouise.com
Dine Out Vancouver
One of Western Canada’s largest culinary events takes place
from Jan. 17 to Feb. 2, 2014, with Dine Out Vancouver.
More than 200 restaurants take part in the annual promotion by offering prix-fixe, three-course meals in cuisines that
include West Coast-style, Chinese, Japanese and many others. There are also other culinary events taking place during
Dine Out Vancouver, including tours to various restaurants,
a gathering of some of the top food trucks and carts in
the city, and more. Local hotels also offer specially-priced
accommodations at set prices, to allow visitors to plan a
foodie trip to the city this winter. dineoutvancouver.com
Whistler World Ski & Snowboard Festival
A major skiing event each year, the Whistler World Ski &
Snowboard Festival returns April 11 to 20, 2014, with a full
lineup of happenings. Included will be free outdoor concerts, the World Skiing Invitational/AFP World Championship featuring top free-ski athletes from around the world,
the Shred Show snowboard competition, showdowns between top ski and snowboard photographers and filmmakers, and fashion and art shows. Visitors also get to enjoy
Whistler’s ski slopes for themselves, along with the village’s
legendary nightlife. wssf.com
Mad Trapper’s
Saloon
Perhaps the oldest apres-ski bar in
Western Canada,
Mad Trapper’s
Saloon at Sunshine
Village is located
— courtesy Sunshine Village
in a log building
that dates back to
1928 and is now referred to as the Old Sunshine Lodge.
On sunny days, people take to picnic tables outside the
lodge, while skiers lucky enough to be staying at the hotel on the hill can stop in Mad Trappers late in the evening and meet staff who hail from around the world.
Snowshoe Sam’s
A bit of an unknown to people who haven’t skied or
snowboarded at Big White Ski Resort, the bar got a
boost when it was named the nation’s No.1 ski bar by
Ski Canada magazine. With almost two dozen beers on
tap, a menu that includes Aussie-style meat pies, and
live bands on weekends, Snowshoe Sam’s has made a
believer of plenty of visitors.
The Stemwinder
Much like Kimberley Alpine Resort,
The Stemwinder
is laid-back during
the week, but the
bar kicks into high
gear on weekends,
— courtesy Kimberley Alpine Resort
with live bands that
routinely knock the house down. When the sun shines,
skiers throng to tables on a sprawling patio area.
Fresh Tracks Cafe
Although it’s not an apres-ski bar but rather a ski hill eatery, Fresh Track Cafe is worth a mention for having some
of the best ski resort food in Canada, at cafeteria prices.
In fact the cafe at Whitewater Ski Resort has spawned
three bestelling cookbooks, and a summer food truck
serving its food on the streets of nearby Nelson, B.C.
Hit the slopes and shops in Vancouver
Region celebrates snow with activities, events and entertainment galore By Crystal Solberg
The ultimate winter experience is waiting
for you in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region.
Whether you’re looking to buckle up
your ski boots, do some Christmas shopping or feast on holiday snacks, you’ll find
the perfect mix of winter activities and city
amenities at your fingertips in Vancouver.
Start your day at one of three mountains on Vancouver’s North Shore: Cypress
Mountain, Grouse Mountain or Seymour
Mountain. All three offer excellent ski and
snowboard runs and can easily be reached
from downtown Vancouver.
The mountains feature incredible views
of the city and ocean, and even feature
some great night-skiing runs, providing
views of the city lights.
For a different way to experience the fresh
mountain air, visit the 8,000-square-foot
outdoor skating rink at Grouse Mountain or
head out on a sleigh ride.
If you need to get started on your holiday
shopping, head to trendy Robson Street, visit
brand name stores throughout the downtown core or go to nearby Granville Island to
pick up some locally made artwork and gifts.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, visit
the Bacchus Restaurant and Lounge at the
Wedgewood Hotel & Spa. The restaurant recently won Vancouver Magazine’s 2013 Silver
Award for “Best Upscale French Restaurant”
for its innovative take on modern French cuisine featuring local West Coast ingredients.
Save some room for roasted chestnuts at the
Vancouver Christmas Market if you’re visiting
between Nov. 22 and Dec. 24, 2013. Stroll
through romantic rows of wooden huts decorated with pine branches and strings of white
lights at this authentic German Christmas Market. Get into the holiday spirit as you browse
through a wonderful array of gifts and sip on
hot apple cider or mulled wine.
There’s no shortage of things to do in
Vancouver this winter. Visit 604Pulse.com
for travel ideas, event information and
our favourite things to see and do in the
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Region.
Grouse Mountain; Kevin Arnold photo
Winter Promotion
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Discover Winter | 2013/14 17
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Spirited festivals
Don’t despair if the Sun Peaks
Winter Okanagan Wine Festival
doesn’t work with your schedule, as there
are two other libation-focused festivals,
set in the equally charming mountain
terrain of Big White Ski Resort.
Big Reds at Big White, taking
place Dec. 13 and 14 in the Village Centre Mall, highlights the products of 30
regional wineries paired with tasty morsels from the mountain’s best chefs.
If cocktails and spirits are more your
style, Big White’s Absolute World
will see British Columbia’s best bartenders battling it out live for top mixology
honours. Taking place Jan. 31 and Feb.1,
this event will be offering the best of the
shaken and stirred world, so fair warning
to guests: you may have a tough time
hitting the slopes the next morning, but it
will have been worth it.
For event info and tickets visit
bigwhite.com/events-and-activities
— photo courtesy Sun Peaks/ Royce Sihlis
Elevating the grape
When it comes to raising the spirits, these events will have you looking up, waaay up By Meghan Jessiman
Extreme winter sports and alcohol are usually an inadvisable mix. And while we certainly wouldn’t suggest hitting
the slopes after enjoying some Chardonnay, partaking in a
wine festival that simultaneously allows you to take advantage of everything one of British Columbia’s most stunning
ski resorts has to offer, well, that’s an experience not to be
missed.
Over the past 16 years the Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan
Wine Festival has grown from a single-day event focused
around B.C.’s icewines to 10 days of creative and intriguing
wine and culinary events.
With an average of 25 of the region’s best wineries in attendance, oenophiles no longer need to wait for spring and
summer to experience what British Columbia’s wine scene
has to offer. As an added bonus, this fest, which takes place
Jan. 11 to 19, allows visitors to see another side of the
Thompson-Okanagan Region — one that thrives on fresh
powder and winter-themed fun.
“Over the years, it has evolved into a festival that attracts
a unique breed of wine tourist, namely one who enjoys
outdoor recreation and a truly authentic wine experience,”
explains Blair Baldwin, general manager of the Okanagan
Wine Festivals Society.
And while it is still relatively small compared to international events, the winter wine festival has a growing reputa18
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
tion for its original and truly memorable programming.
Whether it’s the wine or the winter sports that draw you
there, the event lineup for this year’s Winter Okanagan
Wine Festival has at least one event to suit everyone. Need
to brush up on the basics? Wine 101 (Thursday, Jan. 16) is
designed to strip away the mysticism and elitism sometimes
associated with wine tasting while educating in a fun and
casual setting. Craving a comfort food experience? The
Comforts of Grilled Cheese & Wine event (Saturday, Jan. 11)
is not to be missed.
“For me, the Snowshoe S’mores and Mulled Wine event
is magic. A moonlight snowshoeing tour, campfire and delicious wine — a perfectly Canadian way to enjoy winter,”
Baldwin says. It’s difficult to argue with that logic. You’d be
hard pressed to find a better example of Canadiana wine
culture: highbrow meets down to earth.
For many, the highlight of the festival is the WestJet sponsored Progressive Tasting evening (Friday, Jan. 17). Guests
wander through Sun Peaks’ alpine village in the fresh winter
air while sipping the wares of 24 Okanagan wineries.
Driving the Naramata Bench is lovely, no doubt about
that, but where else are you literally able to stroll from one
amazing Pinot to the next? Caitlyn Johnson, 30, of Kamloops, who has attended the festival the past three years,
always finds the progressive tasting to be a highlight.
“It’s quite the awesome experience. I’m very interested
in wine, so I very much enjoy the opportunity to taste and
compare the delicious wines that we are so fortunate to
have emerging from the Okanagan,” she says. “Bundle up,
check in, pick up your wine glass and checklist, and wander
the village tasting wines from your favourite wineries as well
as some you’ve yet to hear of. It makes for an unforgettable
night in a picturesque setting.”
While some other Canadian wine fests can cost hundreds
of dollars for a single event, the advantage of the winter
wine fest is visitors can design an experience completely
based on their preferences, schedule and budget — singleevent tickets start as low as $30.
“Everyone is encouraged to create their own weekend
itinerary by choosing events and winter activities — even
the spa — which appeal to them,” says Brandi Schier, media
relations representative for the festival.
For those more interested in a hands-off experience, Sun
Peaks offers a number of different packages ranging from
a Weekend Sampler with one night’s accommodation and
two events for $149 per person, to the Festival Experience
consisting of three nights and four events from $399.
Kicking off the new year by sipping fine wines with fine
company in the beauty of Sun Peaks resort; we’ll raise a
glass to that.
Experience Canada’s Best Snow at Sunshine Village
Clear blue skies illuminating a
pristine, snow-filled backdrop makes
the Canadian Rocky Mountains an
unparalleled winter destination for
locals and visitors alike. With such
close proximity to the city’s edge,
Calgarians are a short ride away from
taking part in a world-renowned snow
adventure.
Nestled in the heart of Banff
National Park, Sunshine Village Ski and
Snowboard Resort offers a
breath-taking mountain experience
more than 7,200 feet above sea level.
Boasting the longest non-glacial ski
season in Canada, and receiving up
to 30 feet of snow each season,
Sunshine Village is the ultimate
venue for winter fun.
Sunshine Mountain Lodge:
the perfect family getaway
Banff’s only on-mountain
accommodation, the Sunshine Mountain
Lodge provides an exclusive ski-in, skiout experience. Seated high in the Rocky
Mountains, and located in the centre
Best
winter
views
of Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard
Resort, the one-of-a-kind boutique hotel
offers 360-degree mountain views and
first-to-the-lifts access.
The recently renovated hotel
provides the ultimate venue for a
relaxing and inviting ski vacation
featuring intimate, upscale design
coupled with spacious, modern
lofts. Floor-to-ceiling windows in
Premiere Rooms showcase the resort’s
spectacular winter scenery.
Offering both fine dining and
casual venues, the Sunshine Mountain
Lodge features a number of relaxing
après ski activities catering to a wide
variety of tastes. Guests can enjoy a
pint at the Historic Trapper’s Saloon,
sit next to a bustling, wood-burning
fireplace with a steaming mug of hot
chocolate or soak in Banff’s largest
outdoor hot tub.
The Sunshine Mountain Lodge
comes with a reduced environmental
footprint, ensuring this World Heritage
Site remains a special place for
generations to come.
Learn to ski –
or come enhance your skills
What better way to kick off the
2013-2014 ski season than learning a
few new tricks?
Sunshine Village Ski and Snowboard
Resort offers four-week Jump Start Programs
designed for skiers and riders of all abilities.
Whether you are new to the sport or
want to fine-tune your skills, these programs
provide a fun, interactive experience. Skills
learned include everything from basic
development to tactical ski improvement in
steeps, bumps, powder and carving.
Jump Start Programs begin Saturday,
Nov. 23 or Sunday, Nov. 24, providing
a solid foundation for the seven
month season. With the resort’s close
proximity to Calgary, guests of the
program are able to maximize their
time on the slopes.
For more information on Sunshine
Village Ski and Snowboard Resort’s Jump
Start Programs or to learn more about
the Sunshine Mountain Lodge visit www.
skibanff.com or call 1-87-SKIBANFF
(1-877-542-2633).
Winter snow can give a whole new look to a landscape, and ski hills are great
places to see winter scenery. Here are some of the best winter views:
Main Street Banff
Not all glorious winter views require getting up high. One
of the most iconic images of Canada’s national parks
is that of Main Street in Banff, with Cascade Mountain
towering in the distance. The view becomes even more
memorable when the town streets and mountain are
draped in snow.
Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Although its doesn’t really run from a peak to a peak, the
gondola at Whistler that connects lodges on Whistler and
Blackcomb mountains is a marvel of engineering. Stretching
4.4 kilometres across a valley and dangling at one point 436
metres above the ground, visitors will gladly wait in a lineup
to catch one of the special glass-bottomed gondola cars for
extra-incredible views of the winter landscape below.
Canada Olympic Park Ski Jump Tower
People can get the same spectacular view on a tour of the
tower that Olympians had in 1988, but without the need
to then fling themselves 90 metres off a ski jump. Winter
views from the highest vantage point in Calgary stretch
out over the prairies and toward the mountains. Visitors
can also sign up for a thrilling zipline ride back to earth.
— Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka
Grouse Mountain Skyride
There are plenty of grand views of Vancouver, but none
more unique than the view from the top of the Skyride at
Grouse Mountain. Across ski slopes are views of Vancou-
— Grouse Mountain
ver, the ocean and the Gulf Islands. A ride up to the
Observatory on a winter evening brings added beauty
with the lights of the city twinkling far below.
Eagle’s Eye Restaurant
Skiers and sightseers can ride the Golden Eagle gondola
at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 12 minutes up to Canada’s highest restaurant The Eagle’s Eye at 2,350 metres.
Huge windows in the restaurant provide jaw-dropping
views over a sea of glistening mountains, while the outdoor deck just might be the most scenic in all of Western
Canada on a spring day.
Discover Winter | 2013/14 19
COME PLAY IN THE POWDER AT SUNSHINE!
PER PERSON
OM JUST
FROM
JUS
2013-14
2013
-1 4
Credit: Banff Lake Louise TTourism / Paul Zizka
for a limited time, stay at the sunshine
Mountain Lodge from $119 per person*.
includes one night accommodation,
next day lift pass and fREE breakfast.
PLUs
GsT
save up to $25 every time you
ski or ride. On sale only until
December 31st, 2013.
*Taxes Extra.
Not for resale.
20
| Discover Winter | 2013/14
50th Anniversary
skibanff.com
1-87-ski-banff (1-877-542-2633)