Skiing in Canada
 

Planning week after Christmas 2002. Need a great place to ski (intermediate to advanced) that also has a town with things to do for the non-skier among us. Any suggestions?

My suggestion would be Whistler... one of the top mountains in North America right now, a coastal climate (so the winters aren't as harsh as inland)... a lot of variety for intermediate-advanced skiers (and snowboarders), plus the village (which is now technically a city), will offer enough for the non-skiers. The closest airport is in Vancouver, which is about a 2 hour drive away from Whistler. The drive from Vancouver to Whistler (the Sea to Sky highway) is incredibly scenic and is usually a little "bonus" on your trip.<BR><BR>One website to check out is:<BR>http://www.whistler-blackcomb.com<BR><BR>Another website (which feature all the Canadian ski resorts in BC and Alberta) is http://www.snowcanada.com

Whistler is definitely your best bet for skiing (it is *the* top-rated hill in North America, not one of the top!) ... but I question how much there is to do for non-skiers. In the winter, the entire "village" is so focussed on skiing that a non-skier would be pretty bored, especially for a whole week. Unless she/he is perfectly happy just hanging out in the great outdoors, poking around the (vasty overpriced) shops, or amusing her/himself with a book while waiting for the rest of you to get off the slopes.<BR><BR>You might want to consider a compromise. Spend 3-4 days staying in Whistler itself (I recommend mid-week for less crowds), and the rest of the time in Vancouver. While in Vancouver, the skiiers can do the local hills (there are 3), or if you're really missing Whistler you can always drive or train up and back in the same day. Meanwhile, your non-skiing friend will have a host of things to do in our fabulous city.

you could stay in vernon or kelowna and drive up to the ski hills each day (it's not too far) - there are three decent ski hills between vernon, kelowna & penticton. the weather is not too bad there usually at that time.

jasper or banff, alberta would be good places too but the weather can be harsher in alberta then in b.c.

You do not say where you are coming from which might make a difference. I agree with the above but there is also excellent skiing in Alberta and if Quebec is closer there are some fantastic spots in the Laurentians - great downhill skiing but a little different from the Alpine skiing of Alberta and B.C. and you won't have trouble finding things to do either place when not skiing. Whereever you end up, Have a great time.