Ski Independence Blog
Posts Tagged ‘skiing canada’
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.
Whistler Blackcomb beats average annual snowfall
February 18th, 2011Whistler Blackcomb has seen 186cm (73 inches) of fresh snow in the past 7 days, which takes the season’s total to 1,033cm (407 inches), beating their annual snowfall with three months remaining in the ski season.
“Each day over the past week I’ve been overhearing friends and guests’ claiming ‘this was the best day ever,’ as they describe their day at Whistler Blackcomb; claims that are immediately trumped the next day with the new ‘best day ever’ claim,” says Doug MacFarlane, Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Operations Manager. “And they’re right. Whistler Blackcomb has seen an incredible storm cycle resulting in 186 cm (73 inches) of snow this past week. Couple this with our operations crews efforts; grooming 1,000 fresh acres each night and patrol working hard to open alpine lifts as early as possible after each dump of snow, it’s an incredible time to ski and ride at Whistler Blackcomb.”
There are some amazing late season deals available to Whistler, starting from only £849pp for 7 nights at the Tantalus Resort Lodge, with the resort open until mid-May with skiing available on Blackcomb Mountain. Call the reservations team on 0131 243 8097 for more details.
To view other fantastic Whistler offers – click here
Non-Stop Fun In Whistler
December 23rd, 2010The excitement in Whistler doesn’t stop with the 8,000 plus acres of ski terrain; there are endless opportunities for adrenaline fuelled fun off the slopes. Here’s the latest low down on just some of the activities available from Leanne at The Adventure Group.
“Intro to adventuring in Whistler” could take a few pages, but I’ll try and keep it short and sweet – the Coles Notes of how to effectively have FUN! With endless opportunities in this winter wonderland, it can sometimes be daunting to choose the best option for your group or family. You want something unique, that you can’t experience anywhere else which make you laugh, right?! Let me give you some “insider tips” to make your holiday that extra bit special…
Dogsledding – I mean, where else can you actually, physically mush your very own sled of Alaskan Racing Huskies? This is one of my all-time favourite tours – adorable hard-working dogs who’s one mission in life is to introduce you to a whole new world! Skirting the edge of the Soo River, this tour will introduce you to the sport of dogsledding and takes you on a journey you never thought possible. I took some UK guests on a tour last week and they emailed me yesterday to let me know it was the best thing they did in Whistler!
Mush, mush!
North America Snow Update
November 19th, 2010North America’s 2010-11 ski season is off to a great start with many areas opening early and reporting healthy snow falls.
Among the resorts already open are Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain Colorado; Snowbird in Utah, Killington on the East Coast in Vermont and north of the border Banff and Lake Louise in Alberta. Whistler has announced it will open nearly a week early, later today, thanks to the great pre-season conditions there.
In California, Mammoth is the latest to open (On Thursday 11th November) with more than 2,000 people arriving to enjoy skiing and boarding down from the 11,053 foot summit via Cornice Bowl. Six lifts were operational and 2,000 vertical feet (about 650 metres) of vertical terrain were open on a base of 18 to 36 inches (45 to 90cm).
First Chair 2010 - Mammoth Mountain
Whistler To Open 6 Days Early
November 15th, 2010The office was buzzing with excitement on Saturday when the news came in that Whistler Mountain will be opening 6 days early thanks to new snow and low freezing levels.
Skiers and snowboarders will get their first turns at Whistler Blackcomb this Friday, with Blackcomb Mountain opening shortly after on Thursday, 25th November, Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.
“New snow and low freezing levels, along with the hard work of our mountain operations, grooming, and snowmaking teams mean we can open Whistler Mountain on Friday, November 19,” says Doug MacFarlane, mountain manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “Though early season conditions will apply, having those first few turns of the season is a great feeling and we’re happy to make that happen for our guests six days earlier than planned.”
The Snow Cats are ready to get to work
Possibly the luckiest guy this season?
November 11th, 2010Last month we announced that Neill Hadden was the lucky winner of our Ultimate Ski Holiday to Whistler, BC. After being somewhat overwhelmed, he has kindly put together this blog post. Warning it has the tendency to make your rather jealous…
I took up snowboarding quite late at age 26, young enough to be enthusuastic, brave and possibly a little reckless but old enough to find the first week a brutal and bruising experience! Since then I have been at every opportunity including trips to Switzerland, Canada and NZ. This year I had been travelling in August including a couple of days boarding in Cardrona, New Zealand and so on my return got cracking with organising the Hadden ski trip for Feb 11. Was looking at various North American options but was beginning to feel the pressure of making all the arrangements for a party of 6 so asked one of the others to help with some research. In the course of this he stumbled on the Ski Independence prize draw and sent me (and probably half his address book!) the link to enter.
You never actually think anyone wins these competitions...
Sounds like a cliche but I never enter these things – firstly, everybody knows that no-one really wins them and secondly, if you actually read the terms and conditions there are usually loads of exclusions, blackout dates etc which make it virtually impossible to claim the prize. Cynical? Yeah of course, definitely skeptical of internet prize draws. However, it seemed to imply that if I entered, then Rick would get an extra entry (not that it did him any good – haha – cheers Rick!) so I took all of a minute to put in my details and clicked send. Almost immediately forgot about it although I did end up booking the ski trip with ski independence for the first time – so maybe as a marketing strategy it worked on me!
Next thing I know, I get a phone call on a Friday night apparently ‘live from the Ski and Snowboard Show’ saying that I had won! No idea what she was going on about at first and then convinced that it was a wind up until I checked the facebook page and saw my name.
So, people do actually win these things and we’re off on the most remarkable ski holiday to Whistler in April – hopefully catch the best of the spring snow and see Vancouver in the sun. Just to add a bit of Scottish cynicism – although it does look like the most amazing holiday, I’m a bit worried that any future skiing is going to be disappointing in comparison – hey ho, I suppose that’s a risk that I will just have to take!
Top 5 expert runs in North America
November 9th, 2010We had a heated argument in the pub the other night about the top 5 epic expert ski runs in North America. The debate was fierce – what makes a ski run ‘epic’ – pitch, scale, snow, exposure, elevation, scary terrain features, fear factor, what?
Pitch can be conquered with bullet-proof technique. Scale means stamina. Runs always change their character in different snow conditions, weather, light and time of day. Exposure makes you feel alive. Elevation – no pain, no gain. Scary terrain features? I laugh in the face of ‘mandatory air’! Fear factor – beats the crap out of the X-factor. What should be included, and what criteria should we use? Does Snowbird have better terrain than Kicking Horse? Is the snow depth and quality in Fernie better than Crested Butte? Who can say, but in my opinion a truly epic ski run needs five qualities – (1) a degree of difficulty that keeps you thinking and working hard the whole way down. (2) a fear factor. (3) a tick-the-box factor. (4) an aura. (5) a scale that’s off the dial.
Insider guide to Panorama
November 4th, 2010If you’re heading to Panorama this winter, here is an insider view Hayley Wilson from Panorama Mountain Village
Where do you head for fresh tracks?
On a powder day, Heli-High is usually the first run in Taynton Bowl to open after a storm. Stick to the ridge as long as you can for wide open trees. The bottom is tight and technical but well worth it!
Looking for that cruiser that will take your breath away?
Early in the morning, head over to the Sunbird Chair to Little Dipper, which could also be named Little Ripper. It’s a wide, rolling run that’s off the beaten path, so you might just have it to yourself!
Breathtaking scenery in Panorama
Where should we head if we need an energy boost?
Head to the Summit Hut at the top of the mountain for excellent views, special coffees, and the best homemade brownies around!
Where’s the ultimate lunch stop?
The Elkhorn Cabin on Rollercoaster is the place to go for amazing views of Mt Nelson and delicious all-Canadian fare. I recommend the homemade meat pie; an old Bilodeau family recipe and a classic French Canadian dish.
We need to take some top shots, where’s the best place for a Kodak moment?
Anywhere on the mountain where Mt Nelson acts as a backdrop, such as Top of the World, Picture Perfect or World Cup Way.
After a day on the slopes, where’s the best place for beer ‘o’ clock?
The T-Bar for a great atmosphere, live music on weekends, and a great local crowd.
Other than skiing, what’s a unique après ski activity in Panorama?
Book the Summit Hut with a bunch of friends for après ski fondue. Take the last chairlift up; enjoy great B.C. wines, cheese fondue, and chocolate fondue. Once you’re done, ski down the mountain just before sunset and have it to yourself!
Head to the Summit Hut for some après ski fondue
Final Words of Advice…
Go heliskiing and experience Panorama’s backcountry! It’s a once in a lifetime experience and you don’t have to be an expert!
Powder Alert in Whistler
October 29th, 2010Snow covered peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains show the first hint of the snowy La Nina winter ahead during a short reprieve from the recent winter storm.
A base of nearly 40 cm (16 inches) has formed in the alpine with the forecast calling for mid mountain freezing levels and more precipitation in the five day forecast. The countdown to the 2010-2011 winter season at Whistler Blackcomb is officially on; 25th November, 2010 marks the official opening day.
Here is some fantastic video footage that was shot on Blackcomb on 27th October 2010 – very exciting! (It takes a few seconds to load, so bear with it.)
Here is the forecast for the next few days – bring it on!
Lots more on the way...
Thanks to www.snow-forecast.com
How do you decide?
October 25th, 2010Hurrah for autumn! There’s a chill in the air, the first frosts make the world look white again, and in the Ski Independence office we start each day with a barrage of emails with photos of early snowfall. It’s also the time of year that suppliers from various ski resorts come to visit and remind us why theirs is the best ski resort!
It’s an exciting time for all the reservations team – we spend all day, every day, all year long spouting off all kinds of statistics and facts about snow and skiing, but at times we forget just how awesome getting out onto the snow really is. The visits from our overseas friends not only enable us to put faces to names and re-inforce our good relationships , but also remind us exactly what we’re missing when we’re sat behind our desks (thanks guys!) and we really appreciate the considerable effort it take to come to Edinburgh to see us. Read the rest of this entry »
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