Ski BC: SUPER, NATURAL FUN Whitewater Ski Resort, Doug LePage rom the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains There’s an enormous amount of diversity here in both the to the oceanside majesty of the Coast Range, British topography and weather patterns. Daytime temperatures are F Columbia truly lives up to its Latin motto, Splendour generally ideal during any month of the ski season; in spring, it can Sine Occasu — “Splendor Without Diminishment.” be a real treat to retire the insulated jacket for a pullover fleece (but If you’re a skier or snowboarder, “super, natural British Columbia” don’t forget the sunscreen). delivers experiences in so many ways: light, bountiful snowfall; Americans — specifically, skiers and snowboarders from endless runs suitable for all skill levels; accommodations to suit Washington state — have played a major role in developing every budget and taste; and, of course, those crested waves of BC’s winter vacation experience. Highway, air and border access snowy peaks that stretch to the horizon. continue to improve and make your winter vacation to BC the most These are big mountains — on par with anywhere in the world. enjoyable one possible. When it comes to big-league vertical, four BC resorts crack Read on for details about BC’s ski areas, resorts, villages, North America’s Top 10. But that doesn’t mean it’s inhospitable; accommodations, kids’ activities and much more. anything but, in fact. BC’s intimate resort towns and mountain communities teem with a wild, even eccentric spirit that recalls This section was produced by The Seattle Times Advertising Department. Contact us at the pioneers and settlers. 206-464-2400 or [email protected]. Content was provided by the respective resorts. INSIDE WHISTLER WHITEWATER SILVER STAR REVELSTOKE SUN PEAKS KIMBERLEY KICKING HORSE FERNIE PANORAMA BIG WHITE BLACKCOMB SKI RESORT MOUNTAIN RESORT MOUNTAIN RESORT RESORT ALPINE RESORT MOUNTAIN RESORT ALPINE RESORT MOUNTAIN VILLAGE SKI RESORT Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 6 Page 7 Page 7 Page 8 DISCOVER THE DIVERSITY OF BC SKI RESORTS & AREAS BC SKI RESORTS FORT NELSON Resorts may include lodging options, restaurants, and various amenities and services. 1 Whistler Blackcomb 2 Big White Ski Resort 3 Sun Peaks Resort 4 Fernie Alpine Resort CANADA 5 Panorama Mountain Village 6 Silver Star Mountain Resort 7 Kicking Horse Mountain Resort USA FORT ST. JOHN 8 Kimberley Alpine Resort 9 Whitewater Winter Resort H 10 Revelstoke Mountain Resort G BC SKI AREAS Ski areas can range in level of amenities from E SMITHERS basic ski lifts to resort-type offerings. D A Cypress Mountain F B Grouse Mountain C Mount Seymour I D Shames Mountain PRINCE GEORGE J E Hudson Bay Mountain F Murray Ridge Ski Area K G Powder King Mountain Resort H Bear Mountain Ski Hill I Tabor Mountain Ski Resort L J Purden Ski Village K Troll Ski Resort L Mount Timothy Ski Area BANFF M Mount Cain 7 WEST 3 10 CALGARY N Hemlock Resort VANCOUVER NORTH P VANCOUVER KAMLOOPS O Crystal Mountain A B C M 6 Q 5 R P Harper Mountain WHISTLER Q Summit Lake 1 O KELOWNA X 8 CRANBROOK R Fairmont Hot Springs Ski Area 2 N W 4 S Manning Park Resort VANCOUVER 9 VANCOUVER S T U Y T Mount Baldy V U Phoenix Mountain VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL VICTORIA V Salmo Ski Hill AIRPORT W Apex Mountain Resort SPOKANE X Mount Washington Alpine Resort SEATTLE Y Red Mountain Resort USA This section was produced by The Seattle Times Advertising Department in cooperation with Canada West Ski Areas Association chairlift on Whistler Mountain and the new Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad on Blackcomb Mountain represent increased access and a dramatically enhanced sliding experience in the Harmony and Crystal zones. The Harmony 6 chair keeps the same alignment as the previous lift and continues to service terrain spanning from the edge of the Symphony Amphitheatre all the way over to Glacier Bowl, adjacent to the Peak Express. This area, known as the Harmony Zone, makes up over 1,200 acres of Whistler Blackcomb’s 8,171 acres of total terrain. whistlerblackcomb.com Over on Blackcomb, the new Crystal Ridge Express high-speed quad chairlift delivers skiers and riders to an elevation of 5,994 Paul Morrison feet, right next to the Crystal Hut. ing feat stretching 2.7 miles skating rink, indoor swimming The lifts aspect, or angle, to the WHISTLER between the tops of Whistler and pools and events — such as trails in its vicinity has been vastly Blackcomb mountains. Whistler Blackcomb’s weekly improved and originates 518 feet BLACKCOMB With more than 100 restaurants Fire and Ice Show, featuring lower than the previous chair. The and bars, Whistler’s pedestrian- fire spinners, DJs, and ski and new bottom terminal grants even Long a favorite among Puget only village boasts a vast selection snowboard pros jumping through quicker access for skiers and riders Sound-area skiers and riders, of lodging options, totaling 10,000 burning rings of fire — are all returning to the Glacier Express Whistler Blackcomb’s statistics rooms among more than 20 hotels, favorites. chair to access world-famous runs truly are stagger- Besides downhill skiing and on the Horstman and Blackcomb ing. Pounding storms boarding, Whistler is home Glaciers. unleash more than 38 to a variety of other activities, feet of snow annually, Access: Whistler Blackcomb including sleigh rides, cross- resulting in a ski is located a scenic two-hour country skiing, snowmobiling, season that spans from drive north of the Vancouver snowshoeing, winter fishing November to July. International Airport via Highway and ziplining. Visitors to the 99 (Sea-to-Sky Highway), or Then, there’s the terrain Whistler Sliding Centre can get about four hours from Seattle. — all 8,171 acres of their adrenalin fix it. Sixteen vast alpine by flying solo down bowls and three glaciers the Olympic track stretch down to meet on a skeleton sled or more than 200 marked bobsleigh with a pro- runs featuring a variety fessional driver. of glades, groomers and Eric Berger An ambitious $18 learning areas. million capital To access this mountain play- as well as hundreds of townhomes, expansion raises the ground, Whistler Blackcomb condos, B&Bs and chalets. There’s bar on the Whistler offers the world’s most advanced enough room for more than 30,000 Blackcomb guest high-speed lift system, including overnight visitors, and places for experience to new 18 express lifts and a total of 37 every budget. heights. The new lifts. The world-record PEAK 2 Shopping, dining, indoor Harmony 6 Express PEAK Gondola is an engineer- climbing, a covered outdoor high-speed six-pack Toshi Kawano MONDAY,HURRY, NOVEMBER SALE ENDS 25 GET THE EDGE CARD NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR A LIFT TICKET AGAIN. Eric Berger P: THERE IS NO CHEAPER, EASIER OR SMARTER WAY TO SKI WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SKI OR RIDE Here’s the scoop: If you’re a Canadian or Washington State Resident, you should never pay full price for a lift ticket. And you won’t nd a better deal, anywhere, than the $ *CAD Whistler Blackcomb EDGE Card. from 69 per day Choose from a 1, 3, 5 or 10 day pre-loaded card. Get the best deal on lift tickets valid any day, and skip the ticket booth line-up with discounted access all winter long. EARLY BIRD SALE ENDS NOV. 25, 2013 YOUR WHISTLER BLACKCOMB DISCOUNT CARD Buy online at whistlerblackcomb.com/save Your EDGE Card also gets you additional great member-only discounts on lodging, shopping, rentals, lessons and tons of other activities. American Express is the of cial Card of Whistler Blackcomb. ® Used by Amex Bank of Canada under license from American Express. TWO NEW LIFTS OPENING IN DECEMBER * All prices quoted in CAD funds, subject to applicable taxes and based on an Adult EDGE Card. The EDGE Card is only available to Canadian and Washington State residents. Valid Photo ID N Crystal Ridge Express with birth date is required for EDGE Card pick-up. Birth certi cate or medical Care Card required for Child EDGE Card pick-up. EDGE Cards are non-refundable and non-transferable. Valid for the whistlerblackcomb.com/save N season they are purchased. Limit one per season. Children 6 & under ski free with a lift ticket Harmony 6 Express from the ticket window. Price per day is based on the total number of included days. 1.866.218.9689 / Dave Gluns and Whitewater receives more WHITEWATER than 40 feet of snow annually. The best part is that you don’t SKI RESORT need to be an expert powder Skiing at Whitewater starts skier to have a great time at with a Blast — literally. On Whitewater. There are gentle just about any chest-deep trails aplenty for taking the skiwhitewater.com power day — and Whitewater powder plunge. Whitewater’s likely gets more of ’em than famed Fresh Tracks restaurant any destination resort in BC has been written about in The — you’ll see local chargers New York Times. Overnight (and more mellow, laid-back guests have their choice of dudes) slammin’ and jammin’ dozens of small lodges, B&Bs, for 1,300 vertical feet, straight motels, hotels and hostels in down under the Summit Chair. nearby Nelson, home to more than 350 registered heritage But that’s really just the warm- buildings. up. Dozens, maybe even hundreds, of lines snake down Access: Whitewater is about a through Whitewater’s famous three-hour drive from Spokane, glades. The addition of the and an hour from Castlegar. Glory Ridge chair not only revolutionized the way that Whitewater is laid out, it’s 2,044 vertical feet added a whole new level of excitement to the deep- snow days.