Worldwide Collection 2015 | 2016 USA Canada Japan France Switzerland Austria Canada 18 Park City 102 Montgenèvre 194 Banff 42 Squaw Valley 108 Morzine 128 Big White 34 Steamboat 96 Peisey-Vallandry 174 Lake Louise 48 Stowe 120 Sainte Foy Tarentaise 179 Panorama 52 Vail 78 Samoëns 138 Sun Peaks 38 Winter Park 100 Tignes 188 Tremblant 56 Val d’Isère 182 Vancouver 32 France 122 Val Thorens 164 Whistler 20 Alpe d’Huez 192 Avoriaz 124 Switzerland 196 Japan 62 Chamonix 142 Andermatt 216 Niseko 64 Courchevel 156 Gstaad 208 Flaine 134 Klosters 214 USA 68 La Clusaz 150 Saas Fee 206 Aspen Snowmass 70 La Plagne 176 St Moritz 211 Beaver Creek 86 La Rosière 180 Verbier 200 Breckenridge 90 Les Arcs 170 Villars 198 Deer Valley 106 Les Carroz 140 Zermatt 203 Heavenly 110 Les Gets 132 Jackson Hole 114 Les Menuires 162 Austria 218 Killington 118 Megève 146 Lech 223 Mammoth 112 Méribel 152 St Anton 220 Whistler Blackcomb Our Worldwide Collection Welcome to our 2015/2016 brochure, featuring our favourite hand-picked ski holiday options to the very best resorts in Canada, the USA, France, Switzerland, Austria and Japan. Ski Independence was founded over 20 years ago and our company has a history in travel stretching back over 60 years. We love the mountains and our reservations team are all passionate skiers and boarders as well as being experienced and knowledgeable travel industry experts. We’re committed to finding you the perfect ski holiday, so contact one of our team for the very best expert advice and assistance. Phone 0131 243 8097 Email [email protected] Web www.ski-i.com Tailor-Made Service We’ll treat you as an individual and tailor your ski holiday to your exact requirements – our clients are at the centre of everything we do. We’ll take the time to listen before making recommendations based on first-hand experience of the resorts and properties we offer. Hotel Le Kaila, Méribel (page 153) Austria Safe & Secure We offer complete security and peace of mind, our bookings are financially protected by our ATOL and ABTA bonding and membership. Every client also has access to our own 24 hour helpline in case of emergencies. The Chedi, Andermatt (page 217) Hand-picked hotels and apartments Our aim isn’t to offer every property in resort but instead we hand-pick the best hotels, apartments or condominiums we feel will best match the needs of our clients. Everything from unashamed five-star luxury to family run traditional alpine favourites. Val d’Isere Families Happy children make happy parents meaning the whole family enjoy the perfect ski holiday. Let us recommend the best resorts for children, offering the easiest travel options, best kids’ ski school, the best child- friendly après-ski venues and the most appropriate childcare options. Aspen Snowmass Groups Whether it’s a corporate or incentive trip, a family get-together, a special occasion or simply a holiday with friends, organising a group ski trip can be a daunting prospect. Ski Independence has a dedicated department with many years of experience building specialist group itineraries. We’ll do the hard work on your behalf and help you build the perfect trip with nothing left to chance. Short Breaks Our experience tailoring short breaks to the Alps is second to none, and we know how to get the most from limited time in the mountains. Whether you’re looking for a quick weekend away or a plan to stay a little longer, we’ll talk you through the best short break flight options, the fastest and most convenient transfers and the hotels and apartments most suited to a short stay – all designed to give you the maximum time on the slopes. Hotel Héliopic, Chamonix (page 144) rk Heliski, Panorama The Complete Package Our specially negotiated rates for ski and snowboard essentials can be significantly lower than waiting until you’re in resort, and in selected resorts we’re able to offer early booking discounts and kids ski free packages. We’ve hand-picked our rental shop partners for their convenient locations and the quality of their equipment, and we’ve partnered with ski schools we know are perfect for British skiers and snowboarders. Canada: World-class skiing Welcome to powder country! Canada is a truly staggering land of vast plains, huge lakes and iconic towering mountain ranges and some of the best skiing on the planet. The skiing here is immense, and it’s all done with jaw-dropping scenery as a backdrop. Our seven hand-picked resorts vary from small and quaint Quebecois gems in the East to the world famous glittering stars of the Canadian Rockies in the West. They all offer an awesome ski holiday experience like no other. Expect amazing snow, world-class facilities, stunning accommodation, a genuine friendly welcome and outstanding terrain to suit all abilities and age-groups. Whistler Blackcomb 20 Whistler 32 Vancouver 34 Big White 38 Sun Peaks EDMONTON l QUEBEC l Tremblant l 42 Banff 48 Lake Louise 52 Panorama MONTREAL l l Sun Peaks l Lake Louise 56 Tremblant l Whistler OTTAWA l Banff l l CALGARY l Big White l Panorama l VANCOUVER 20 Resort Statistics Whistler BRITISH COLUMBIA • CANADA ALTITUDE 2140-7494 feet SKI AREA 8171 acres Whistler is exceptional: a mile of vertical, two massive mountains, stunning terrain, an LIFTS 37 SEASON Mid November - Mid May Olympic pedigree, a long season and a village with a vibe to rival anything on the planet. SNOWFALL 39 feet (average) AIRPORT Vancouver 2hr 15min Whistler was host mountain resort for the stunning Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. One look at this VERTICAL 5280 feet TERRAIN Beginner 18% giant winter sports paradise and you’ll understand why. The peaks here are vast and the skiing is serious. Intermediate 55% Whistler and Blackcomb mountains feature over 8,000 acres of terrain, with 12 alpine bowls, 3 glaciers and Advanced 27% over 200 marked trails - and the most slopeside accommodation of any North American resort. Both Ski Extra Offers mountains provide a huge range of beginner, intermediate and advanced skiing and snowboarding, Kids up to 12 years ski and rent FREE and combined with a massive 10 year average annual snowfall of over 39 feet, the holiday Book by 15 Nov Up to 75% off lift tickets experience in North America's largest resort truly is hard to beat. Whistler maintains the pace Up to 38% off equipment rentals off the slopes too. It’s not so much a village as a small town with outstanding après-ski and Up to 33% off ski and snowboard lessons dining options. Pete • Overseas Operations Manager Discounted non-ski activities Free resort retail discount card OUR RATING: BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE ADVANCED Offers subject to change. Terms and conditions apply, see ***** ***** ***** website for details. Timings and distances are a guide only. 21 Fairmont Chateau Whistler ***** The Fairmont Chateau Whistler is everything a luxury ski hotel should be. With its superb accommodation, fantastic facilities, extensive Health Club and relaxing spa. Positioned at the base of Blackcomb Mountain it has a prime ski-in/ski-out location. From the moment you walk into the amazing Price Guide Low Mid High lobby you will feel at home in this superb 5-star hotel. With two restaurants, a superb piano 7 nights per person (£) 1174 1360 1885 bar, a health club with two outdoor pools, hot 10 nights per person (£) 1283 1474 2088 tubs, exercise room and a full service spa, the impressive Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers Prices are per person based on 2 sharing a Fairmont the very finest in service and quality. Located Room with Air Canada flights from London Heathrow next to the Wizard Express lift and the to Vancouver and shared transfers. The prices above Blackcomb base lodge, it’s only a few minutes’ are a guide only, and reflect all applicable discounts and offers at time of printing. walk or free shuttle from the Whistler Village. All guestrooms include amenities such as Early Booking Offer down filled duvets, feather pillows, bathrobes, Book by 31 August in-room coffee and tea services, hair dryers, TVs with movies and video games, full Save up to 60% bathrooms, deluxe toiletries and mini-bars. Early Booking Offers Unit types available: Fairmont Room, Deluxe Book by 15 November Valley View Room, Deluxe Slopeside Room, Save up to 50% Junior Suite, Junior Valley View Suite, Valley Complimentary double room Suite, Luxury 1 Bedroom Mountain View Suite, category upgrade 2 Bedroom Valley Suite, Fairmont Gold Room, Fairmont Gold Junior Suite, Fairmont Gold 1 Early Booking Offer Bedroom Suite, Fairmont Gold Premiere Suite, Book by 31 January Fairmont Gold Executive Suite, Fairmont Gold Save up to 30% Penthouse Suite. Ski Independence Resort Representatives Our experienced Whistler reps know the resort inside out, from recommending the best places to eat to getting you the best deals on après activities, they provide a valuable resource. No matter how much or little you need them during your trip, it is always a comfort to know there is someone on hand locally to help. Prices are correct at time of printing (July 2015) but may be subject to restrictions on dates, durations and room types. Guide dates: Low - early Dec; Mid - early Mar; High - 13 Feb. 22 Four Seasons Resort Whistler & Residences ***** The award winning Four Seasons is a truly exclusive mountain residence - perfect if you’re looking for the very best in quality and service, delivered in a relaxed and calm environment. The Blackcomb ski base is only a short five minute walk or free shuttle ride away, where the hotel operates an excellent ski concierge service.