Whistler Blackcomb 100 PerCent Open: 8,171 Acres, 5,280 vertical and Over 10.5 feet of Snow so far this season

WHISTLER, BC, December 16, 2011 – With more terrain open than anywhere else in the world, Whistler Blackcomb is THE place to slide on snow this holiday season. Over 321cm or 10.5 feet of snow has fallen this season and on top of that, the Whistler Blackcomb snowmaking team has converted 175 million gallons of water into snow.
That's a lot of snow -
Still some space for Christmas and New Year Fill your Christmas stocking :)Visit Frontier Ski

Jasper's Paradise Chair

On December 10, 2011, Marmot Basin officially opened the new Paradise high speed quad chair and the School House Chair. Although these two new lifts have been open for the past few weeks, the Grand Opening ceremony was held just this last weekend. This is the biggest ski lift development in Canada this season.  The ribbon was cut and the chairlift officially opened by John Day, Marmot Basin Chairman, and Honorable Jack Hayden, Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

With 90cms of settled snow in the Alpine and more in the forecast, Jasper's Marmot Basin has all its lifts running and is looking forward to your visit. 

If you haven't booked it yet, contact Frontier Ski on 020 8776 8709 before the 21st December for some amazingly good deals - it could be the best present in your Christmas stocking. http://frontier-ski.co.uk/resortJasper.php?resorts_id=4

Blackcomb opens today with over 7 FEET of snow

Blackcomb Mountain opened today, joining Whistler Mountain which opened six days early on November 18. 4,300 acres and over 4,085 vertical feet of skiing and riding is currently available, more than anywhere else in the world at this time. Currently 13 lifts, one full terrain park line, and a 15 foot half pipe are open.

“We are very excited to open Blackcomb Mountain with such incredible snow conditions and coverage,” explained Doug Macfarlane, Mountain Manager of Whistler Blackcomb. “To be able to offer 4,300 acres in November is really exciting, and offers our guests an amazing experience on both mountains.”

Cumulatively this November, 237cm (7.7 feet) of snow has fallen, surpassing the average November snowfall of 165cm (5.4 Feet). Another 85cm (2.8 feet) of snow is forecasted to fall by Monday. 

Seven lifts are currently in operation on Blackcomb Mountain including the Excalibur Gondola, Wizard Chair, Solar Coaster Chair, Excelerator Chair, Catskinner Chair, Crystal Chair and Jersey Cream Chair. The Whistler Village Gondola, Creekside Gondola, Emerald Express, Garbanzo Express and Big Red Express will be running on Whistler Mountain bringing the total lifts in operation to 13, including the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Skiing and riding will available right to the village this weekend, one of the earliest dates that a ski out has been available.

 Book Whistler today with Frontier Ski - seat sale ends November 30

Whistler opens early!! Today is the last date to get the best of the Early Bird specials

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB TO OPEN SIX DAYS EARLY; FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18




The return of La Nina and an incredible snowmaking infrastructure deliver another early opening to Whistler Blackcomb.

WHISTLER, BC, Monday, November 14, 2011 – Whistler Blackcomb is thrilled to announce Whistler Mountain will open six days early on Friday, November 18. The return of La Nina, forecasted to bring greater than average snowfall, has skiers and snowboarders excited about the start of the ski/ride season. Blackcomb Mountain will open on Thursday, November 24, Whistler Blackcomb’s official opening day.

“Cold temperatures, early season snow fall and the relentless work of our mountain operations teams is what allows us to open early,” says Doug MacFarlane, Mountain Manager at Whistler Blackcomb. “Early season conditions apply but we are very happy with the current conditions. Enjoying the first turns of the season is always an amazing feeling and we are very excited to announce Whistler Mountain will open six days early.”

The alpine forecast is calling for up to 35 centimeters of snow in the alpine before opening on Friday, adding to the current snow base of 55 centimeters at Pig Alley. Additionally, the Whistler Blackcomb snowmaking team has turned over 50 million gallons of water into snow so far this season, the equivalent of covering 250 football fields with up to one foot of snow.

Whistler Mountain will open for the season on Friday, November 18, from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Skiing and riding will be open on the Emerald Express, Big Red Express, and Franz’s Chair with upload access from the Creekside Gondola and the Whistler Village Gondola.

Last day for special offers:

http://frontier-ski.co.uk/resortWhistler%20&%20Blackcomb.php?resorts_id=1

Panorama Mountain Village, Canada

Panorama Mountain Village will officially open for the winter season on Friday, December 9. The resort will welcome this winter with a host of on-mountain enhancements that will keep families and advanced skiers and riders smiling all season long.

A new Snow Tube Park has been added to Panorama’s family amenities so sliding fun can continue on into the night. The Snow Tube Park, located at the base of the mountain, is steps away from Panorama’s slopeside accommodations, and features multiple lanes and conveyor lift access via the Red Carpet.

Four themed festivals will give Panorama Mountain Village reason to celebrate all season long and skiers and riders are invited to join in the revelry. First up is Panorama’s Mountain Snowflake Festival – Jan 21-22, 2012; Panorama’s Mountain Mardi Gras – Feb 25-26, 2012; the Western themed Panorama’s Mountain Stampede – Mar 17-18, 2012; and finally, to wrap up the season, Panorama’s Mountain Spring Carnival – Apr 7-8, 2012. Themed dining experiences, family activities and nightlife will keep the party going each weekend, on and off the snow.

Skiers and riders venturing into Taynton Bowl’s expansive big mountain terrain, famed for holding untracked powder for days after a storm, will be able to take advantage of even more fresh tracks with added glading and pruning.

Freestyle riders will find bigger berms and rowdier whoops in the Rockstar Terrain Park’s permanent Skier and Boarder Cross track. The newly extended banked track runs from the top of the park and leads skiers and snowboarders to the medium and large features in the lower half of the park.

Other enhancements to the mountain include trail widening on Stumbock’s, a fall line thrill ride where skiers and riders can let their boards run on the steep. The Pine Inn has also been redecorated and refurbished with new carpets, beds and updated bathrooms making this value-oriented slopeside hotel the best deal in Western Canada to ski and stay.
To visit Panorama village

Jasper opens tomorrow

Putting the final touches to the grooming on Tranquillity at Marmot Basin - then being checked out by the CEO of Marmot Basin, Jasper's wonderful ski mountain in the Canadian Rocky Mountains!

News from Jasper

A new high speed quad chair, aptly named the Paradise Express will replace the existing Paradise Triple Chair in the upper part of the mountain. This new high speed quad chair will be 42% longer than the existing triple chair yet the ride time will be 35% shorter providing even more slope time while reducing time spent riding ski lifts. The existing Paradise Triple Chair will be relocated to the lower mountain and will replace the School House T-Bar. -

It is all good - opening day tomorrow:)

Check out the deals

New lift at Fernie Alpine Resort

NEW Polar Peak lift takes skiing in Fernie to new heights! This season ‘Ski the Peak’ on the new Polar Peak lift - Fernie will now boast the most vertical and most ski runs in the Canadian Rockies.

Fernie Alpine Resort provides visitors legendary powder, uncrowded trails, mild climate, the best in Après ski fun and much more!  receives up to 37 feet of snow in a season, and attracts a wide range of skiers and riders from around the globe. Delivering over 2500 acres of skiable terrain, 142 named runs, 5 alpine bowls, state of the art snowmaking and grooming equipment, and an exceptional beginner’s area, Fernie is a true winter playground for skiers and riders for all levels.  Also now featuring the most snow, most ski runs and biggest vertical in the Rockies!  What are you waiting for; this is THE winter to ski Fernie - all the usual natural snow plus the extra inches associated with La Nina.
Snow is already falling - opening date December 2nd.
Visit the Frontier Ski site to organise your ski holiday in Fernie 

Whistler Embedded

This November, pro skier Mike Douglas will kiss his family goodbye, shoulder his skis and camera bag and embark on a never-before assignment – to stand watch on the Peak of Whistler Mountain waiting for winter to arrive. Armed only with his computer, his camera and a sleeping bag, the "Godfather of Freeskiing" will document the Inside Story of a mountain moving into winter. Find out if he has what it takes to make it up there on his own.

Follow the story here.....

The picture was taken on Blackcomb Mountain on October 6th.

The snow is still falling

La Nina in Whistler!

Winter 2011.12 is forecast to be another massive snow season for Whistler, following the 2nd snowiest on record with more than 51 feet of accumulated powder. Meteorologists are predicting a La Niña weather pattern – which means cooler than normal temperatures and consistent heavy precipitation during winter months. The Farmers‘ Almanac is also calling for above average precipitation which, in Whistler, translates into lots of snow. And the new snow will have something to build upon as some of last year‘s massive accumulation still remains in the alpine. Powder hounds are rejoicing at the forecast for Whistler‘s ski and snowboard season, officially opening November 24, 2011.

Whistler Ski Esprit

I just heard today that if you book one of the brilliant 3-day ski Esprit programmes at Whistler for 2012, our good friends at Whistler will add two free days. So, 5 days for the price of 3! Quite the deal - costs £269 per person.

Ski Esprit is a brilliant programme of guiding and tuition - suitable for all standards of skiers and boarders except complete beginners. There is no better way to learn your way around both mountains and get some superb tuition along the way.

PS: It has to be booked by the 15th November 2011.

Beaver Creek

Construction on a new high speed Doppelmayr detachable quad chairlift in Rose Bowl at Beaver Creek will take place this summer. The new lift will transport 2,400 people per hour and the new ride time will be nearly cut in half at five-and-a-half minutes. Planned as side-load chair, it will transport skiers and riders to the top of today’s existing Rose Bowl Lift. The lift upgrade also will improve the guest experience by spreading skiers and snowboarders across the main mountain more, and reducing density impacts on the Cinch Express Lift (Chair 8) and Centennial Express Lift (Chair 6).

The resort also plans to increase its grooming operations in Rose Bowl including on some of its black diamond runs, providing skiers and riders a wider variety of terrain options accessed from the new lift. Investments such as this lift demonstrate Beaver Creek’s ongoing commitment to continually deliver top-notch guest experiences on and off the slopes.

Have a look at Beaver Creek by Frontier Ski to see the accommodation in Beaver Creek that we recommend.

news from Charles at the Wickaninnish

A Note from CharlesPeople often ask me about the most romantic time of year in Tofino. My thought is that the singular beauty and remote nature of this place is a timeless inspiration for making -or rekindling- personal connections. However, February is only two weeks away, and the extremes of this dramatic season, from sunny moments at low tide to giant, rolling, wind-pummelled surf, will always hold a special place in my heart... Some of our guests talk about pausing in the midst of towering old-growth trees on the Rainforest Beach Loop Trail or on a long beach walk, equipped head to toe in our bright raingear. Other guests, well, don't venture much out of the haven of their accommodations. With picture windows bringing the outside right inn to every room and suite, custom furnishings, local art and the warmth of a gas fireplace, not to mention the availability of room service, I have to admit that even after almost fifteen years at the Inn, just sitting down in one of our comfortable armchairs looking out at the view is always a palpable temptation.

You've heard me talk about our commitment to continuous improvement throughout the Inn, and its technical aspects were carried out during this particularly productive early January closure period.

Canadian Arctic Holidays-Arctic Watch - Nunavut

Arctic Watch is Canada's most northerly wilderness lodge located on Somerset Island, Nunavut.


A visit to Arctic Watch is an all- emcompassing arctic safari. Visitors see thousands of beluga whales, musk-ox, polar bear, arctic foxes, birds, and archeaological sites. They can travel the land and water by foot, sea kayak, raft, mountain bike, and ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). Guests can climb the mountains, fish the lakes, hike through the canyons, across the tundra, and around the waterfalls. The vistas are immense and sun shines 24 hours per day.

The accommodations are the most comfortable remote facilities in the High Arctic. The food is stupendous. Menus include local food like musk ox and arctic char. Everyday starts with fresh hot muffins and ends with a hot shower and a glass of wine! Access is by private charter plane from Yellowknife.