Why Ski BC?

It’s a question that pops up now and again: Why ski in BC? NZ has skiing, Australia has skiing.  So why incur the expense and duration of a 12 hour flight to Vancouver, Canada to hit the hills?

The answer is, in short, to explore:

• A new country – romantic, rugged, safe and beautiful
• Challenging mountain terrain
• Waist deep champagne powder
• 15km long cruise-y groomed runs
• Gnarly verticals
• Pristine chutes
• Famous off slope winter scene
• A wealth of new experiences
• The luxury of ski in ski out family friendly resorts

If you ski every single day for an entire season, at a pace of 8 full hours a day, you would still not come close to sampling all the on-hill delights that BC has to offer.  But you will be amazed at the waist-deep champagne powder, pillows of silken snow and empty tree lines covered in snow, not to mention the world-class dining establishments, trend-setting boutiques, family activities, hot springs and memories to last a lifetime.

Ten Top Reasons to Ski BC

1. Direct air services from Sydney and Auckland to Vancouver
2. Champagne Powder and trees, trees, trees
3. Short to non existent lift queues
4. Gnarly vertical
5. Family Friendly options a plenty
6. Bar-setting ski in/ski out accommodations
7. Off piste adventures galore
8. Birthplace of Heli-ski
9. Epic Vistas
10. Where everyday is a guaranteed ski day

A taste of what BC has to offer

Big White Ski Resort, BC

Big White Ski Resort, awarded North America’s #1 Family Resort, is Canada's largest totally ski-in ski-out resort village.

You’ll love the convenience and ease of access at the fabulous 'all in one place' of Big White. No rental cars needed, here – you're never far away from the slopes and lifts.

With over 7m of snow annually, you will find the snow light and fluffy - perfect for skiing, riding, cross country skiing and other great winter activities.

Some resorts offers dozens of runs – at Big White and Silver Star, they offer hundreds! Immaculate cruisers, wide open alpine bowls, gentle learning terrain, massive terrain parks, they've got it all!

And the good times don't end when your day on the slopes is over. Go tubing, skating, snowmobiling, play bingo with the kids, discover your hidden singing talents, (or discover you should have left them hidden…) - it’s all in the name of fun!

Silver Star Mountain Resort, BC

With its rare mid-mountain location, this uniquely colourful, Victorian themed mid mountain village offers a variety of fantastic ski-in, ski-out accommodation to suit every budget.

Like its sister resort Big White, Silver Star receives over 7m annually of dry, feather-light, champagne powder snow. You’ll feel the difference in the softness of the powder and the smoothness of the groomed corduroy.

But, don’t be fooled by the mountain’s good looks, there is over 1240 hectares of uncrowned terrain over two very different mountain faces - Vance Creek and Putnam Creek.

Silver Star’s ‘Focus on Family’, village comes alive every night of the week with fun, free events - carnival nights, fireworks extravaganzas, movie nights, and live entertainment - you can even enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows by a roaring outdoor bonfire and watch a traditional game of ice hockey. 

Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort, BC

Winter at Whistler Blackcomb is already off to a great start, with snow starting to fall across the peaks and the upper mountains already, including a nice dusting of snow in the alpine on Monday, September 20. Coming from their second snowiest year on record (almost 15m of snow), the 2010/2011 season is expected to be a La Ninã year, which translates to cooler temperatures and an abundance of snow on over 200 of  Whistlers pristine groomed trails.

You will love the charming pedestrian only alpine village set between two impressive mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb, along with its intriguing shops and upscale boutiques, high-energy nightclubs to elegant fine dining and all the amenities and comforts of a city.  With more outdoor adventure activities and lively events than you could possibly experience in just one trip, it’s easy to see why Whistler is consistently voted the number one resort in North America.

And don’t forget the Peak 2 Peak Gondola – this is a definite ‘must do’. Twenty-eight sky cabins travel 4.4 kms between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, offering spectacular views and unprecedented access to both mountains’ expansive and unique high alpine terrain – so don’t forget your camera!

Peak to Peak Gondola Video

* Conditions apply – please discuss with our team who are ready to help you with your enquiry

And dont forget the other incredible resorts in BC that will be featured themselves in future issues:

Sun Peaks Resort: Not only our #1 Ski in Ski out Resort for many years, but also one of the highest re-requested ski holiday locations. Why? Perhaps it’s the intimate village, perhaps it’s the fantastic terrain spread across 3 different mountain faces, perhaps it’s the incredible snow, perhaps it’s the people…In fact it’s all of these reasons, and more, that makes Sun Peaks everyone’s favourite Ski Resort. Early Bird Deals for Sun Peaks »

Panorama: the ultimate family friendly destination with ski-in/ ski-out accommodation. Panorama's uncrowded slopes offers 1214 hectares of perfectly groomed long cruisers and backcountry runs along wtih one of the biggest and best terrain parks. You are there to ski but Panorama offers so much more: Soak in the Springs Pools, shop in some of their unique stores or dine in a wide variety of Bars and Restaurants.

Our Most successful Ski Groups for over 10 years – Seniors/Over The Hill Ski Tour

With guaranteed skiing of up to 18 days, beautifully groomed fresh powder, wide open & gladed runs AND a fantastic group of like-minded keen skiers, you are assured of a great snow holiday guided by Dive Fish Snow Travel's most experienced Tour Leaders.

Back by popular demand - Our Seniors will be carving up 3 of BC’s top ski resorts:

Click here for Pricing »

• Return Airfares ex-AKL or SYD/MEL/BNE/OOL valid at 30 May (Airfare costs will increase as the cheaper seats eventually get sold first). Airline/Airport taxes not included, and are subject to change.
• All transfers by private coach include grocery stops and gratuities in Canada
• Accommodation is based on comfortable mid range studio kitchenette units (twin share or double).
• Lift pass as indicated above
• Guided Tours by Tour Leaders & Mountain hosts. Every day you are in small guided groups, or you can do your own thing.
• Casual lesson/Tips from tour leader Mike see below
• DVD Video/Photos of you skiing on your holiday.
• Costs are subject to flight availability. 

Please note: Airfares included in this package are limited. If you book late, you may have to purchase a more expensive airfare.

Don’t forget to check out our other great 2011 Ski Group Tours here:

Congratulations to Matt Coxon from Otaki who is heading off to Copper Mountain and Winter Park in 2011.  Have a great time Matt from all the team here at Dive Fish Snow Travel.

Thank you to everyone who participated – posting the 10 numbers on the Monday certainly stirred up a hornets nest and sent our website into a flurry of activity.

Announcing our New Grand Prize Draw:

Win an Incredible 14 Night Ski Holiday for 2 people in 2 of Canada’s best ski-in ski-out resorts: Sun Peaks and Whistler just by being on our database!

As a snowtimes subscriber you are in to win.

Accommodation:

• 7 nights at Nancy Greenes Cahilty Lodge in a studio kitchenette, Sun Peaks
• 7 nights at Coast Blackcomb Suites, Whistler

Lift Passes:

• 6 days lift passes for 2 people at Sun Peaks
• 5 day lift passes for 2 people at Whistler Blackcomb

Activities:

• Fondue Dinner and Evening Descent at Sun Peaks for two people
• Zipline Adventure for two with Adventure Group at Whistler Blackcomb
• 3 Hour Snowmobile Backcountry Tour for two with Canadian Snowmobile at Whistler Blackcomb

Transfers for two people:

• Kamloops Airport to Sun Peaks
• Sun Peaks to Whistler
• Whistler to Vancouver Airport with Whistlers Skylynx

Total Prize value: over $9000

• Dive Fish Snow Travel have been snow travel specialists since 1998!
• As our logo says, “Our Total Expertise Guarantees You A Fantastic Holiday”
• Professional consultants with an average of fourteen years travel industry background
• Real people who are passionate about their diving, fishing, skiing or boarding.
• Your holiday is in good secure hands as Dive Fish Snow Travel is a member of TAANZ, AFTA and IATA

How many times have you seen it? - All resorts say, “Stay with us because we are the best”.  But how do you really know?

Our highly experienced consultants say “Book with us and we will give you the holiday that not only suits your needs but also your budget - we have been there, seen and done that and YES – we have the T Shirts to prove it”

So call us now and talk direct to one of our specialised consultants and experience the ‘Dive Fish Snow Travel’ service!

All the Best Resorts All the Best Advice All the Best Tips All the Best Deals All from first hand experience

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Regards - "THE SNOW TRAVEL TEAM" - Dive Fish Snow Travel
39A Apollo Drive, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand.
Auckland PHONE: (09) 479 2210 - TOLL FREE: 0508 348 334
EMAIL: snowtravel@divefishsnow.co.nz

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