Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 - (Page SU12)

12 | 13 Ski University • Travel Agent Many discussions of Canadian skiing begin with Whistler/Blackcomb, the giant perched about 90 minutes from Vancouver. That’s probably as it should be, since almost nowhere will clients ﬁnd a bigger, more complete ski/snowboard vacation product. The twin mountains are each simply massive, and any level of skier can enjoy them to the fullest. With plentiful hotel, dining and nightlife options at the adjoining base areas, there’s hardly a mountain anywhere that’s easier to stay, eat, ski and play, all with a few quick steps. Upscale travelers can stay at such signature properties as the Four Seasons Whistler and the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which both offer the requisite pampering. Families and romantics can ﬁnd their own circles of quiet, and late-night revelers will be equally pleased. Elsewhere in British Columbia powder hounds should check out Fernie, as its steeps and powder are highly regarded by expert skiers. And Whistler/Blackcomb’s Intrawest-owned sister resort, Panorama, has lots of skier services, a convenient base village and a large stock of intermediate trails for families and groups. British Columbia’s neighbor to the east, Alberta, is known to travelers and travel agents as one of the top scenic spots in North America, and year-round trips to the Canadian Rockies and the “big three” Fairmont properties (Banff Springs, Jasper Park, Chateau Lake O Canada! There are lots of reasons for clients to try a Canadian ski vacation Louise) are a staple of mountain luxury travel. In winter, these scenic trips can of course be combined with skiing, and eye-popping mountain scenery is a major feature of Lake Louise Mountain Resort. Families and mixed groups can have a great time skiing, as there are many groomed trails along with lots of expert terrain. While travelers are in the area, several other ski areas compete for attention: Ski Banff, a smaller mountain that’s a favorite for advanced skiers; Sunshine Village, which received so much natural snow that there’s no snowmaking (none is needed); and Marmot Basin, which travelers can visit while staying at or near Jasper National Park. VAIL RESORTS In eastern Canada, most of the attention is focused on Quebec, whose Mont Tremblant is close to Montreal and often garners accolades as the top resort in the East. Another Intrawest property, it charms travelers with a Europeanstyle village that’s meant to re-create the charming alleys and streets of a small alpine town. A preponderance of beginner and intermediate trails and easy access to slopesmakes Mont Tremblant popular with families, although it’s also a natural choice for romantic travelers. Nightlife seekers, too, ﬁnd lots of activity in slopeside restaurants, bars and clubs, and just about anyone is bound to be charmed by the French-ﬂavored bonhomie that’s just one of the things that sets Canada’s ski product just a little bit apart. Fairmont Chateau Whistler Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007 Online Now Contents From the Editor From the Publisher Contributors Europe Central & South America Special Supplement: Ski University Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Caribbean Romantic Getaway and Honeymoon Packages Jamaica’s New Minister of Tourism Talks About the Country’s Future Special Package Deals Cruises Hotels Ski Multi-Generational Travel Tours Cover Story: Luxe Life of the Stewart Clan Business Operations - Agent Profile Technology Transportation The Industry - Agenda Caribbean News PATA Travel Mart ITME Report Latest Cruise and Hotel News Travel Week In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index Classified Marketplace Trendwatch

Travel Agent - October 15, 2007

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.