DESTINATIONS FAMILY HOLIDAYS | ASK THE operator Where should families head to in Canada? Natalie Marsh finds out 1 3

2 Canadian Affair; Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane; Alex Wilson Crane; Whistler/Mike Canadian Affair; Tourism PICTURES:

travelweekly.co.uk 10 OCTOBER 2019 49 DESTINATIONS CANADA | FAMILY HOLIDAYS

1CITY AND COUNTRYSIDE 2WILDERNESS 3SKI RESORT WHAT’S THE BRIEF? WHAT’S THE BRIEF? WHAT’S THE BRIEF? A family is looking for a Canadian holiday where A family with three children is seeking a trip A family is looking to spend the school holidays they can stay in a city but also explore the rural with plenty of adventure. They want to take at a ski resort, with slopes suitable for beginner surroundings. They’d like there to be something in a few locations but have ample time in and intermediate skiers, and other activities for for everyone, with a variety of activities and each place, while spotting plenty of wildlife all ages. They’re seeking quality, family-friendly time to relax. along the way. accommodation in a convenient location.

Canadian Affair Prestige Holidays Inghams Stuart Rogers, product Denise Hunn, director of Harvey Gähl, and commercial manager Canada tour operations head of purchasing

WE SUGGEST WE SUGGEST WE SUGGEST We’d recommend and turn that into not The areas we’ve picked for a western Canada Whistler, which is consistently voted the number- just a city break but also sightseeing around family self-drive have so much to see and one ski resort in North America, is ideal for a Niagara. From there it’s just under a three-hour do. Whistler is an outdoor lovers’ paradise. family break. There’s plenty of good skiing – there road trip to the Blue Mountains, which is a resort Here they can ride the Peak 2 Peak gondola, are just over 8,000 ski-able acres. One of the best tailor‑made for families. go mountain biking and even try some of the things about the area is that beginners can enjoy Toronto is fantastic. You’ve got shopping, an Winter Olympic activities in the summer. It’s the higher alpine spots. The younger kids have array of restaurants and different food styles in very comfortable and very safe for a family, the Tree Fort on Whistler and the Magic Castle on the downtown area. And there’s a lot to see and and all the accommodation is in two‑bedroom Blackcomb, which are outdoor adventure play do in terms of sightseeing beyond the city itself; suites, so the family can stay together. lands that children can access either on their own Niagara-on-the-Lake, for example, is a really Moving on to the Rockies, it’s all about or with a ski instructor. The teaching is excellent pretty town that has an old-time feel to it. the scenery. We’ve put in a couple of wildlife and you can have whole family tuition. If families have a car, they can go to Niagara viewing activities, and there’s canoeing, hiking The accommodation, Blackcomb Spring before driving out to the Blue Mountains. They’ll and gondolas – a real mix of pursuits suitable Suites, sleeps up to six, either in a one or two- pass through the southern Ontario landscape, for the whole family. The bear-viewing excursion bedroom apartment. You’ve got all the mod which is absolutely beautiful. is a highlight; Canada offers some of the best cons in open-plan kitchens, plus fireplaces, and Then they have the opportunity to relax as viewing in the world. Summer is a lovely time breakfast is included. There’s a complimentary well as get involved in adventure. There’s a whole to visit, with the sun not setting until after 10pm. shuttle to and from the to the resort centre. array of activities: you can lie by the pool or go Book it: Prestige Holidays has a self-drive There’s also an amazing range of activities, trekking and enjoy nature. This is a family holiday holiday for a family of five, including stops from ziplining to snowmobiling, dog sledding to that encompasses everyone. in Whistler, Kamloops, Jasper, Lake Louise snowshoeing, and an outdoor skating rink. Book it: Canadian Affair offers a 10-day Ontario and Banff, for a total of £16,021 based Book it: Inghams offers 10 nights’ B&B in Adrenaline Holiday from £955 per person, based on a July 23, 2020, departure. The price Whistler at the four-star Blackcomb Spring Suites, on two adults and two children sharing. The price includes Air Canada flights from Heathrow from £1,365 per person, based on two adults includes return flights from Gatwick, departing on to and back from , plus and two children sharing. The price includes April 8, 2020, nine nights’ accommodation, seven accommodation and car hire. flights from Heathrow to Vancouver and airport days’ car hire, transfers and selected activities. prestigecanada.co.uk transfers, departing on April 8, 2020. canadianaffair.com inghams.co.uk/ski-holidays

50 10 OCTOBER 2019 travelweekly.co.uk