Canada may have a reputation for being boring, but when it comes to outdoor activities such as skiing the country is anything but. Some of the world's premier ski spots can be found between the Rockies Mountains and Vancouver Island, none more so than Whistler. Here beginners, intermediates and those who excel on the slopes can find fresh powder and a variety of challenging runs. This is an excellent locale for both ski and snowboarders.
Car Hire Canada is cheaply and plentifully available and low cost packages come with snow tires, snow chains and ski racks. Not only are there two huge mountains with near vertical drops to choose from but plenty of gondola rides to take the strain and an après ski scene which is the envy of all other resorts worldwide. These factors combine to make Whistler the number one choice for skiers looking for quality.
Lesser known but equally rewarding is the small resort of Manning Park which has a charming old school quality with its open air chairlifts. As well as skiing you can take part in ice skating, Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, making this a perfect family-orientated resort. A sat nav device, available from your car hire company, will set you in the right direction for Manning Park.
A short drive away from Whistler you can find Mount Washington. Located on Vancouver Island and more than one and a half thousand metres high you get spectacular views from Mount Washington out across the glaciers and mountains in the distance. The skiing is also breathtaking.
The other big resorts in the region are Big White, Sun Peaks and Silver Star. Silver Star has picturesque old Victorian houses and rustic and tasty dinners served in the various restaurants. The skiing here is adrenaline-filled and you will want to be the first up after a large snowfall.
At Sun Peaks the villages are planned between excellent ski runs so that lodges and trails intertwine. There are a range of unusual ski slope activities put on such as dog sledding tours so this large resort, known as Thompson Okanagan, can keep large families occupied for a long time. A good time to go is from January 16-24 when there is a winter wine festival. Made from frozen grapes, ice wine is something that everyone should try once.