Just started thinking about next years holiday. Would love to go skiing, last went 3 or 4 years ago. We are both intermediates. We have only skied in Europe as we are from the U.K. <BR> <BR>I know I would have to take the airfares into consideration, but apart from that, How does the skiing, accomodation, food, lift- passes etc compare to Europe? Would you say its good value? <BR> <BR>Thanks in advance for any help. <BR>Nic

Well, Nic, given that I spent the first 30 years of my life in Vancouver, and have lived in Switzerland since '92, I think I can offer a solid "absolutely" to your question as to CDN value. <BR> <BR>As a matter of fact, a prestidgeous North American ski publication, whose name escapes me at the moment, has just awarded the TOP 3 positions of their 100 best ski resorts to Whistler-Blackcomb mountain based operations (1.5 hrs from Vancouver). <BR> <BR>Now, I'll admit that I'm comparing CDN operations against Swiss ones that I've experienced (pretty much the most expensive anywhere -- but also worth the price. <BR> <BR>The lift capabilities, grooming, snow conditions, and hospitality facilities are at least as good as anything on offer in St. Moritz, Laax, or Pontresina. <BR> <BR>It's been a while since I checked lift prices at Whistler, but accommodation will be comparably priced to Swiss rates -- Whistler does command premium rates. Happily, dining should be considerably cheaper than here in Switz. <BR> <BR>R. <BR> <BR>

Thanks for your info Rob. We've never been to Switzerland (as we'd heard it is very expensive). We've skied in France and Italy only. <BR> <BR>Do you know anything about Tremblant? <BR>Is the snow good throughout the season?

Sorry, Nic....got me on Tremblant, but I'm sure you'll get a response in the next day or so. <BR> <BR>Cheers, <BR>R.

I have skied Tremblant in Quebec years ago but now live on the west coast. Um, how can I say this. Tremblant is what a west coaster would call a molehill, not a mountain. Do some surfing to compare the verticle drops between that and Whistler and you will see what I mean. From England your best bet might be to fly the cheapo airline www.canada3000.com to Calgary and bus to the resort in Banff park called...sunshine I think. Canada3000 does Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow.

I agree with Rand. If you're going to come to North America to ski, go for the good stuff out west (Rockies or Whistler). I grew up skiing in New Hampshire and Vermont (so same general area as Tremblant) and there's just no comparison. Not only are the mountains way smaller, the conditions are very icy more often than not (so of course all of us who learned to ski back East consider ourselves to be more versatile skiers than those who learned in powder ;-)).

Nic, <BR>Although Whisler is an awesome place, check out bcskicountry.com for some info on 4 incredible, less populated, less commercialized ski areas in the British Columbia interior. Better snow and value !!

I've heard a lot of people suggest www.snowcanada.com on other travel forums. I've looked at that site, and they list a lot, if not all of the ski/snowboard resorts in western Canada (ie: Alberta & British Columbia), so you might want to look around there too.

The best sking is Kimberley,or Fernie (lots of snow) in BC and Jasper in Alberta. Whistler and Sunshine (Banff) are too crowded and expensive.

I'm not a skier, but it seems to be as an observer that the real mountains are in western Canada. <BR>That said, I read an ad in the New York Times yesterday for ski vacations at Mont Tremblant that appeared to be real bargains, for Sunday arrival, staying until Thursday night. <BR> <BR>That would free up your weekend for a visit to Montreal. I've been to Tremblent, and it looks like fun, reasonably safe, reasonably demanding, instead of just jumping off a cliff at some of the western "slopes" <BR> <BR>Montreal beats Calgary as a weekend city in the winter.From the UK, it is a long, long way to British Columbia. <BR> <BR>Do not even think of skiing in the province of Ontario, north of Toronto. That does not count in the books of real skiers. <BR> <BR>In favor of Montreal is access also to northern Vermont and New Hampshire skiing in the United States. <BR> <BR>BAK <BR> <BR>

I have skied all over Canada from Newfoundland to my more recent home in B.C. Best skiing definitely in the West. For better value than Whistler, and yet within a day of Vancouver, try Sun Peaks north of Kamloops, or any of the ski resorts in the Okanagan, or even the runs at Hemlock, and Manning Park near Hope.

Nic, <BR> <BR>Our family of 6 (2 adults and 4 kids ages 17 to 12) decided to take a March Ski trip next year and when I started researching costs and skiing conditions (mountain, accomodations, snow and crowds) my brother-in-law turned us onto a Canadian Rockies area called Panorama which (according to the b.i.l) has fabulous skiing, low crowds, incredible scenery and wonderful accomodations. Check out the website panoramaresort.com and see for yourself. I am not a travel agent! For Americans the strength of the American $ makes it all even more reasonable compared to the very pricey and crowded Colorado resorts. (I am not sure if that is good for you in the same way.) Anyway, we are really looking forward to our trip! Also my b.i.l. lives in Kimberley and they have season passes to Kimberley and Fernie but they are also looking forward to joining us in Panorama. <BR> <BR>Maria