Ski Independence Blog
Archive for ‘Canada’
2012/2013 Skiing
February 2nd, 2012I’m delighted to announce (fanfare please…) that we are now taking bookings for USA, Canada and Japan for the 2012/13 winter ski season!
It always amazes me that people can be so organised but I guess I don’t have a family/school holiday to think of – oh and I can imagine the reaction if I asked for two weeks off over Christmas! But we have been getting requests for quotes for the Christmas and New Year period in 2012/13 since the turn of the year (yes, 53 weeks before travel!) and we’re now at a stage where we have secured some of the best deals in our most popular hotels and we can now quote for many resorts and properties.
It’ll take us a little while to get back to everyone that has requested a quote for next season but we’re on to that just now (as well as booking lots of late bookings for 2011/12 as the snow is amazing all over the world!!) and will be back to you in the next week to 10 days.
Some reasons to book early:
- Up to 45% off the best hotels in Whistler. We make sure that these deals will be the cheapest rates available all season! But you MUST book before the end of this winter season to take advantage of these rates.
- The very best flight availability. It seems a little hard to believe but the cheapest flights on the busy dates, those around school holidays usually, will fill up very quickly. We can usually hold flights around 11 months before departure date with a small deposit to secure them.
- Get your pick of resort, property, hotel room – booking early gives you the very best choice.
Whistler Blackcomb - 26 January 2012. Total snowfall this season: 707cm. Photo: Patrick Hui
Remember we tailor make every single holiday we book for our clients so you tell us what you want and we’ll do it! If we think you’re doing too much or can think of a way to make your holiday better (or cheaper – although that’s not always possible!) we’ll tell you. We have skied the resorts, slept in the beds, taken the transfers, flown the flights and hired the cars – our experience in North American skiing is unrivalled. Go on – test us!
So let us know what you want to do by calling us on 0131 243 8097 or filling out an online form, we’ll get back to you shortly after with some suggestions and if you like what we get for you we’ll book it all with just a 15% deposit.
PS – Quoting and booking for Europe isn’t too far off either…watch this space.
There’s just something about Whistler…
January 9th, 2012As I sit at my desk early on Friday morning, I look out the window to a beautiful blanket of white. I remember why I moved here 18 years ago. Fresh out of university on the West Coast of British Columbia, I moved to Whistler for a year, just enough time to save some money to travel to Australia. Eighteen years later, I’m Married with 2 kids, a dog and a mortgage. My window view is much the same. There is something truly magical about this place. There’s just something about Whistler…
This season has been without a doubt the most amazing on record. The snow fell early this year, which made for some great local skiing and undoubtably the best opening on record. The stars were aligned- great snow, great rates, and the largest amount of skiable terrain in North America. Whistler’s current snow base is over 215cm, close to 84 inches and the snow continues to fall.
Tiffany and Husband Scott at the Top of Whistler Mountain
So why am I blogging about my Whistler story you may ask? Because there is something to it. This is one destination that will truly change your life forever…It is the vacation that your family will remember for years to come. Whistler has something for everyone from skiing and snowboarding, to snowshoeing, ziplines and sleigh rides. For those outdoor enthusiasts, try the Whistler Olympic Park in the spectacular Callaghan Valley for some amazing cross country skiing and biathlon lessons. And for those thrill seekers, how about brushing off that leotard you’ve kept in your closet all these years, pop on a helmet and fly down the Whistler sliding center track at 92 km an hour? Come on, you know you want to…
For those with kids, this is Canada’s Winter Playground. Endless family activities. My Daughter Georgia turned 3 this year and started the Blackcomb ski school Valley Kids program. I cannot tell you how impressed I am with the Whistler Blackomb Ski School. The staff, the instructors, unbelievable. I knew she would be the life of the party at Blackcomb base but I never expected her to cry at the end of the day because she didn’t want to go home. It’s by far, the best money a parent could ever spend.
Tiffany with Kids Georgia 3.5 yrs and Will 2 yrs
For those looking to experience Whistler in style, try the Four Seasons Resort Whistler on for size. I am proud and humbled to say I work for Canada’s only Five Diamond Resort , nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. Not only is the hotel absolutely stunning, but it’s the intuitive care that the staff provide to our guests. When we welcome you to Whistler, we invite you into our family. Over the festive week, I had the opportunity to speak with many guests from all parts of the world, at the ski concierge, in the restaurant, and in the lobby. Guests are always astonished by the level of attentiveness and the lasting relationships they make at the resort.
Taking a sip of my Blenz coffee, I can’t be sure what life path my family will take from here, maybe another 18 years in resort, but one thing is for certain. I know that my heart will forever belong to this spectacular mountain Destination. There’s just something about Whistler…
New Year, New Snow
January 4th, 2012Having witnessed one of the snowiest Decembers on record across the Alps; picture perfect conditions over the Christmas week, and a short lived spell of mild weather for New Year, the Alps are now getting ready for the first dump of 2012…and it’s another big one! With some European resorts already reporting more snow to date this winter than the whole of last season, the Alps are now enjoying some of the best snow conditions in the world. Below is a quick round up on where to find the best snow conditions.
The resort of Solden reported the most new snow across Austria last week. Following an impressive 1.1m of fresh snowfall, the clouds parted giving way to some great on and off piste conditions. St Anton also has some fantastic conditions with an upper snow depth of 298cm and has a further 65cm forecast this week. Lech despite having slightly less snow is still in great condition with 240cm lying on the upper slopes.
>>> More information on ski holidays in Austria
The picturesque resort of Lech
If you are looking to find the deepest snow in Europe, head to the the traditional village of Saas Fee in the Swiss Alps. The resort currently has an on piste snow depth of 340cm and another 20cm forecast for the end of the week. Not far behind, and forecast for another 40cm of snow this week, is Verbier where you will find a piste depth of 300cm.
>>> More information on ski holidays in Switzerland
A recent powder day in Verbier.
Following some truly incredible snowfall in the past month, France is undoubtedly the place to ski in Europe. As the forecast predicted; the snow has continued this week with a further 20 – 30cm falling and a further 50cm forecast tomorrow (Thursday). Many resorts around France including Chamonix, Les Arcs and Tignes are already reporting snow bases of over 3m with both fantastic on and off piste conditions.
>>> More information on ski holidays in France
125cm of fresh snow at the top of the Funicular in Tignes!
Conditions also remain good in Canada where most resorts in Alberta and British Columbia are sitting on snow bases of well over 2m. Following an incredible November with over 11ft of snow in areas it looks like the slight dry spell in December has come to an end. In the past 7 days Whistler welcomed 125cm of fresh snow, taking the accumulated snow fall to date this winter to 449cm! Further inland Fernie also saw a good snowfall, with 61cm hitting the mountains over the past week, bringing the snowpack up to 175cm.
>>> More information on ski holidays in Canada
Whistler following 100cm of snow in 7 days! Photo: Coast Mountain Photography
Despite snowfall in the USA being lower than last winter, many resorts are still reporting good on piste conditions. One exception in the USA, and matching its big mountain skiing and snow record, is Jackson Hole who had a welcome dump of 75cm last week allowing the resort to open in full.
>>> More information on ski holidays in the USA
Celebrating New Year and 75cm of fresh snow in Jackson Hole. Photo: Chris Figenshan
For first hand advice on where to find the best snow conditions and accommodation offers, call a member of the Ski Independence team on 0131 243 8097, visit our website or request a quick online quotation.
Whistler: The most skiable terrain in the World
December 2nd, 2011Whistler has the most open terrain IN THE WORLD right now! I know we make a big fuss about Whistler but no wonder – they’ve had over 10 feet of snow fall this season alone!
Today the Peak Chair opens, tomorrow Harmony Express opens – I have one question for myself, what am I doing sitting here at my desk? I should be there…
Of course I’m here so I can book holidays for those who are able to take time off at this time of year (and beyond) – I won’t get to ski until Mid March and only then if we are quiet enough, one of the pitfalls of working in the ski industry, we’re busy when the snow is falling and everyone else is skiing.
November Powder on Blackcomb Mountain, Photo: Michael Neumann
So while I’m thinking about Whistler let me share a few of my top tips…
- Book by 5 December and travel from the UK between 20 December and 31 December (subject to availability of flights) and you can save £1000’s on British Airways Club World flights – these are the lowest prices I have EVER seen on business class to Vancouver!
- Book to Four Seasons Resort Whistler and you’ll get the best price offered at the hotel AND a room upgrade. So (for example) book a Resort King Room to get the best price and we’ll upgrade you to a Superior Room free of charge!
- Book your holiday with Ski Independence, pre-book your lift passes and rentals and the kids will ski for FREE. Yes, FREE!!
Taken at the base of Whistler Blackcomb
With a bag full of other offers throughout the resort, a huge snow base and a season that will last well in to May and terrain that seems never ending there is no reason why you wouldn’t want to go to Whistler…is there?
For more information on our Whistler offers you can call a member of the Ski Independence team on 0131 243 8097 who will be able to help with any questions you may have…after all we have been to Whistler over 60 times so know pretty much everything there is to know! Alternatively you can request an online quote here.
Our Whistler Top 10
November 29th, 2011I can’t remember what sparked the conversation in the Ski Independence office, but we worked out that between us, we’d visited Whistler Blackcomb over 60 times. That’s far more than any other ski resort we feature but there’s a very good reason; Whistler is our biggest selling North American resort. Apart from meaning we’ve racked up a lot of both air and ski miles, and stayed in a lot of Whistler hotels it also means we know Whistler Blackcomb inside out. Our clients can therefore be confident our unrivalled Whistler knowledge allows us to recommend the perfect flight, transfer and accommodation recommendations to ensure the perfect Whistler ski holiday
We then took it a stage further and asked what our favourite things about Whistler were. After some debate we came up with our Whistler Top 10 which you’ll find below.
Do you agree with us? We’d love to hear what you love about Whistler and you can leave comments at the end of this blog.
1. Get Fresh
If there’s fresh snow in the forecast, say no to that nightcap, have an early night and make sure you’re at the base of Whistler Gondola at 7am for Fresh Tracks. They let a maximum of 650 skiers and boarders up on the first gondolas between 7.30am and 8.30am – first stop is a hearty breakfast at the Roundhouse and then you’ll be let out to play in the virgin powder and groomers.
Tickets cost around $18 for adults, $13 for children aged 7-12 and it’s free for anyone under 6
2. Steeps and Ladders
Spanky’s Ladder is on Blackcomb Mountain and is Whistler’s most famous steep, expert only terrain. Take the Glacier Express chair and ski or board along the ridge and then it’s a short 50ft hike up to the way in. Catch your breath, say a prayer, clip in and drop in to some seriously steep terrain. Fresh snow makes this special experience an extra special one.
3. Don’t Look Down
The Whistler Peak 2 Peak gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb mountains is an engineering marvel that was completed just before the 2010 Winter Olympics. It holds a number of world records including the longest unsupported span of over 3kms (gulp) and is 436 metres above the valley floor at its highest point (gulp). Two of the 28 cabins have glass bottomed viewing windows but you’ll be pleased to hear there are separate queues for each type otherwise waiting in line would be a kind of Russian Roulette for the vertiginous.
This photo is taken looking down from the highest point of the Peak 2 Peak Gondola!
4. The Ultimate Backcountry
Stick ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ on your ipod as the helicopter takes off and whisks you to your 1500 square mile backcountry playground. Whistler Heli-Ski has been running for over 30 years and offers daily heli-ski packages offering various amounts of vertical but with every turn being a powder turn. At the end of the day there’s an après party at the Bearfoot Bistro where they show videos of the day’s adventures. You can book your Whistler Heli-Ski package with Ski Independence from £559 per day
Whistler Heli-Skiing
5. Feel the Burn
Peak to Creek is a four mile (7km) top to bottom leg burner over on Whistler Mountain that starts in the Upper Bowls and ends 5000ft later at the Creekside base area. It’s more of a zone than one single run, with lots of different ways down and in the main this is intermediate terrain. Time it so you hit the bottom at the end of the day and get stuck into some of the legendary après ski offered at Dusty’s Bar and BBQ.
6. Slopeside Apres
Irish bars have sprung up all around the world and even Whistler hasn’t been immune. It’s fair to say that some of them can leave you flat but not the Dubh Linn Gate. Located at the Whistler Mountain base under the Pan Pacific Mountainside hotel, the Dubh Linn Gate is one of the best we’ve been to. It’s an après ski mecca, dishing out pints and great bar food with an Oirish accent. If you prefer something more Canadian there’s the legendary Garibaldi Lift Co (GLC) or The Longhorn and over in Blackcomb you won’t go wrong at Merlins. Down at Creekside everybody ends up at Dusty’s. However be warned; some of us have found ourselves in ski boots past midnight – so don’t go before a powder day!
7. Scream If You Want to go Faster
The 2010 Winter Olympics at Whistler Blackcomb brought a lot of practical improvements. They spent many millions rebuilding the Sea 2 Sky highway cutting half an hour off airport transfer times. The Olympic legacy also meant some less practical and altogether more exciting projects that remain to this day. The Whistler Sliding Centre is the rather underwhelming name for the bobsleigh and skeleton track – 1700 metres of steeper than you’d think sheet ice capable of spitting you down at speeds of up to 75mph. The brave and the foolhardy can now experience this for themselves for around $150 as part of the Whistler Sport Experience programme.
Scream if you want to go faster!
8. Fine Dining
As well as being an exceptional winter sports destination, Whistler is also renowned as having arguably the best dining options of any North American ski resort. There’s a mind boggling choice of restaurants offering everything from fast food to high-end fine dining. The stand out for us is The Rimrock Café in Whistler Creekside. The Rimrock offers superbly cooked and presented fish and game in a relaxed atmosphere with a diverse and eclectic wine list. Although they modestly call themselves a café, this is a grown up fine dining restaurant with prices to match but we feel it’s worth every penny.
9. Hot Air
No Ski Independence top 10 would be complete without mention of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in the Upper Village at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. A resort institution and a firm favourite with our clients, the Chateau offers guests a relaxed, stylish five-star experience and yet manages somehow to do it at a surprisingly affordable price. We highly recommend an après ski drink by the fire pits on the terrace outside the Mallard, the Chateau’s famous lounge bar. It’s the perfect slopeside spot to regale each other with tall tales from your epic day on the mountain.
10. Down Time
If you’ve ticked off the first nine things on our list we reckon your body might be in need of a little TLC. The Scandinave Spa is a spectacular outdoor eco spa located a little north of Whistler Village, spread over three acres with staggering views of Whistler Valley. The Scandinave concept is based around Finnish hydrotherapy and the spa offers Scandinavian baths, massages and relaxation areas. The focus is on nature and natural healing so expect lots of outdoor pools and treatment areas plus a bistro serving healthy fresh food and juices.
Kick back and relax at the The Scandinave Spa
Ski Independence are the leading UK Tour Operator featuring Whistler Blackcomb. To find out more about the resort or to plan a holiday there contact our reservations team on 0131 243 8097 or fill in a quick online quotation
Whistler – Book by 15 November
November 7th, 2011It’s easy to see why Whistler Blackcomb is regularly voted the world’s best ski destination, and you won’t be surprised to hear it’s always our top selling North American resort. Whistler Blackcomb is home to a massive 8,171 acres of in bounds terrain including no less than 2 mountains, 3 glaciers, 16 Alpine Bowls and over 200 marked runs – pretty impressive stats by anyone’s expectations! Off the slopes, Whistler offers the biggest choice of hotels and condos of any North American resort plus a dizzying array of world-class shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife.
Following lasts winter’s staggering 52 feet of snow, forecasters are predicting another La Nina weather system for Winter 2011/2012. For the mountains in the Pacific Northwest this means snow – and lots of it!
Whistler Blackcomb - 4 November 2011
And here’s a final Whistler stat for you; between us, the Ski Independence team have visited Whistler Blackcomb over 60 times (yes 60!) and so nobody’s better placed to offer you the best possible help and advice when planning the perfect Whistler holiday.
Up until the 15th of November we’ve got some fantastic Early Booking Offers on Whistler hotels , flights, lift passes, rentals and ski school.
- Save up to £150 per person on return flights with Air Canada
- Save up to 45% at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and the Four Seasons Resort
- Free night offers, discounts and free room upgrades
- Save up to 45% on lift tickets
- Save up to 40% on equipment rentals
- Save up to 35% on ski school lessons
- Kids aged 12 years and under ski and rent for free (1 free child per paying adult)
What to do now? Call The Ski Independence team on 0131 243 8097 or email us for a quote – but remember, these offers end on the 15 November!
The White Stuff
October 17th, 2011Who can tell me the most exclusive place to stay in Whistler Blackcomb this coming winter? How about the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? Or maybe The Four Seasons Resort?
Ask professional skier Mike Douglas, ‘The Godfather of Freeskiing’ and pioneer of twin tip skiing, who’s decided to welcome the arrival of Winter 2011/2012 by spending 6 days and nights staying in the ski patrol shack at the top of Whistler Mountain. Exclusive it might be, but luxurious it most certainly won’t!
Roundhouse, Whistler Mountain – Sunrise October 14th 2011
This November, 6 days before the mountain opens, Mike will head to the top of Whistler Mountain armed only with a sleeping bag, a camera and his laptop and will be reporting on the onset of winter as it happens around him. He’ll be giving us the inside story on what goes on to get Whistler Blackcomb open for the new season through a series of tweets, blogs and Facebook posts.
Night time temperatures at the top of Whistler Mountain are already well below freezing and once the patrollers disappear in the early evening he’s got some long, lonely and cold nights ahead of him. Mike has commented that it’s the ‘sort of challenge he loves’ and ‘he can’t wait to get up there’. I think it won’t be long before he’s tweeting ‘I can’t wait to come down’.
Whistler Blackcomb are calling the project ‘Embedded’ and you can follow Mike’s progress by liking the official Whistler Blackcomb Facebook page and following them on Twitter @whistlerblckcomb.
Whistler Blackcomb have put together a great little video as an introduction to Embedded.
EMBEDDED TEASER – Whistler Blackcomb inside the story from Whistler Blackcomb on Vimeo.
Whistler – Book Early and Save
August 12th, 2011The 31st August is approaching fast and this means the end of some of the best early booking offers we’ve ever seen in Whistler.
Enjoy Whistler for less by booking early!
If you’re thinking of heading to Whistler this season, then make sure you take full advantage of these superb offers. Our favourites include:
- Fairmont Chateau Whistler – save up to 50% and receive $50 food & beverage credit per room per night
- Westin Resort & Spa – save up to 50%
- Four Season Resort & Spa – save 30%, $400 room credit & free room upgrade
- Aava Whistler Hotel – save 40% on all room types
- Hilton Whistler Resort – receive up to 4 free nights
There are also huge savings on lift passes and rentals:
- Save up to 50% on lift passes
- Save up to 40% on rentals
So what’re you waiting for? Start your planning today by giving us a call on 0131 243 8097 or visiting www.ski-i.com/canada/whistler !
Fairmont Chateau Whistler – It’ll be hard to leave…
August 1st, 2011I was lucky enough to spend a few days at the stunning Fairmont Chateau Whistler in April and needless to say when my time was up, I didn’t want to leave…
Without a shadow of a doubt, this hotel deserves it reputation, it’s Whistler’s flagship property but it’s more than just another luxury hotel. It really does have a great slope side location – I don’t think I’ve ever actually stayed somewhere and been able to ski right back to the door, but you can here. I stayed in a Mountain View Suite which was huge and had great view of the mountains and Blackcomb slopes. I had a sitting room, 2 bathrooms and an amazing bed, it’s well worth the upgrade!
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler has a superb slopeside location on Blackcomb Mountain.
Now I don’t usually have a huge appetite first thing in the morning but I made an exception when I saw the breakfast buffet – these guys definitely know how to do breakfast! Three plates later and about a stone heavier, I waddled off to the ski lifts.
The service throughout the hotel is great and all the staff there were lovely – but what really stands out is the incredibly warm laid back atmosphere which is something you don’t always find, it’s totally fine to wander through reception in your dressing gown to the swimming pool!
As I relaxed in the Mallard bar on my final evening with a nice glass of wine I vowed to come back …but be warned, the sofas are so comfortable you might just doze off and never leave!
These sofas should come with a warning!
If you fancy a trip to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, don’t miss out on the Early Booking Offer. Book before the 31st August you’ll save up to 50% and receive $50 F&B credit per night. Give the reservations team a call on 0131 243 8097 for further details.
Best Family Restaurants in Whistler
July 22nd, 2011When on a family ski holiday one of the biggest expenses is eating out, and whilst choosing a self catered property provides you with the flexibility of heading to the supermarket and eating in, it’s always nice to try some of the local restaurants in resort.
This might bring a bead of sweat to the forehead of some parents who may panic at the thought of finding somewhere where their children can relax and be themselves, that the bill for a family of four for a simple dinner will be over £100, or that they don’t want to have their food served on a tray and have to unwrap it before eating. So to help you ahead of your holiday to Whistler, we’ve pulled together some of the recommended family restaurants which all come in at under $50 all in for four hungry skiers! If you have a favourite, we’d love to hear from you. Just comment at the bottom of the blog.
You can’t go wrong with an Italian restaurant and certainly not with Pasta Lupino. A firm favourite amongst the Whistler locals, there is always a good atmosphere here. The mac & cheese is one of their top selling dishes and they’re more than happy to put together half portions for children. During the day, for lunch and an early dinner prices range from $4.25 for kids to $7 – $13 for adults. It’s worth noting though that prices increase after 5.30pm for a more formal dinner experience.
Blog
