19 Sep 2017
19th September 2017
AVOID LAST MINUTE DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE AIRPORT : BRITISH SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS TO CANADA MUST HAVE ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORITY (ETA)
To Avoid disappointment at the airport, a reminder that all British visitors to Canada arriving by AIR must as of November 2016 have an Electronic Travel Authority (Eta) to Travel to Canada. Those planning trips for 2018 are advised to apply in advance of booking airline tickets. The ETA costs $7.00 and is valid for 5 years. Purchase is done on line through: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
PLEASE NOTE : Any site charging more than $7.00 is not the official government site.
BOO THE BEAR PREDICTS ANOTHER GREAT WINTER AHEAD
It's bearly (sorry had to) the end of summer, and Boo is already preparing for winter. Lining up with the yellowing of the leaves on the trees for fall, Boo's coat has started thickening as he's been packing on the pounds, leading the resorts local Grizzly Bear experts to believe winter will hit Kicking Horse early this year and be a snowy one! Similar to his prediction back in 2015 which held true to be an epic ski season with over 17 feet of snow and lots of powdery goodness, Boo is working the same routine this year. He's been eating up to 40,000 calories a day, earlier than he usually does, to put on the proper pounds to survive his hibernation during the winter. Who needs the Farmer's Almanac when you have Boo to forecast the winter weather?
ABOUT BOO
Boo lives at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in the largest enclosed grizzly bear habitat in the world. Brought to the resort after having been orphaned as a cub, Boo was saved from certain death. Read more about Boo and the Grizzly Bear Interpretive Centre online.
https://kickinghorseresort.com/blog/boo-bear-predicts-another-great-winter-ahead/
Ride by him hibernating away during the winter months on the Grizzly Paw Run (#18).
PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT TO IMPLEMENT RFID TECHNOLOGY FOR 2017 – 18 WINTER SEASON
Panorama Mountain resort in British Columbia recently announced that SkiData RFID (radio frequency identification) technology will be implemented at the resort for the upcoming 2017/18 ski season, providing efficient, hassle free lift access this coming 55th anniversary season. This makes them one of the first in Western Canada to move to a leading ticketing and lift access system
All daily lift tickets, seasons passes and other products will be available on cards, which are embedded with an RFID chip to enables hands free access to lifts. When a guest passes through the RFID gate the gate will open automatically after registering the card. As in previous seasons, lift operators will be on hand to assist with the access gates to ensure a smooth and efficient experience.
“RFID systems are standard in Europe , Australia, and New Zealand, offering skiers and riders faster access to the mountain, Beginning this winter, Panorama guests will be able to buy what they need online and then go straight to the lift”, says Marke Dickson, Panorama Director of Sales and Marketing.
For more information : www.panoramaresort.com
CANADA'S FIRST POD ACCOMMODATION CONCEPT TO OPEN IN WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA 2018
In April 2018 , Whistler will be opening the Pangea Pod Hotel - a visionary property situated in the centre of the pedestrian village . Designed for the discerning solo traveller seeking a boutique hotel feel, impressive design and a prime location at an affordable price point, Pangea is set to fill Whistlers void between hostel and hotel.
“Pangea is unlike anything else offered in Canada at this time and we are thrilled to launch this concept in Whistler. Our unique hotel experience will speak to sophisticated , value conscious guests unwilling to compromise on location, function and aesthetics”, says co-founder Russell Kling.
Pangea will offer a series of custom suites housing a total of 88 private sleeping pods. Each boutique pod will be luxuriously lined in wood and comfortably outfitted with memory foam double mattresses and high end linens. They'll also be equipped with individually controlled LED lights, multiple charging points and an integrated fan for ventilation and white noise.
The Toy Box, Pangeas meticulously planned designed open plan gear area will offer secure storage for skis, boards and bikes, places to hang wet gear and private lockers for boots and accessories meaning everything Pangeas guests need to enjoy Whistlers great outdoors.
Pangea will reinvent accommodation in Whistler for a generation of travellers who expect more for less and want to spend money on their experiences no on several hundred feet of hotel room space in which they simply sleep.
For more information : https://www.pangeapod.com/
KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT TO BE ONLY CANADIAN STOP PICKED TO HOST THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR.
The Freeride World Tour is an annually toured series of events in which the best freeskier and snowboard riders compete for individual even wins, as well as the overall title of World Champion in their respective genders and disciplines. The events take place on what's commonly referred to as “backcountry”, “big mountain”, or “extreme terrain” – essentially ungroomed powder snow on super steep, mountainous slopes. The first event series took place in 2008. Prior to that it was known as Verbier Extreme, originally a snowboard only contest launched in 1996 – with skiers also invited to compete from 2004. For the 2013 season, the Freeride World Tour merged with the Freeskiing World Tour and the North Face Masters of Snowboarding, combining all 3 tours under one unified global 5 – star championship series.
Qualifying to host this prestigious event , a resort needed to have a massive variety of terrain, thigh burning vertical and incredible snowfall and a strong mountain community of which Golden, British COlumbia is well suited as the historic home of the Swiss Guides who led climbing expeditions in the early 1900's.
Kicking Horse is known for its plethora of in bound chutes, variety of epic terrain, and trademarked as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada with the 4th biggest vertical in North America. This year the FWT unveiled two brand new locations for the opening events in Hakuba, Japan and Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden, BC, Canada – two legendary freeride destinations. 45 riders in 4 categories – ski men, ski women, snowboard men, snowboard women – will make the five stop international journey. All riders will face a round of qualification cuts after the fourth stop in Fieberbrunn, Austria, before arriving at the grand finale in Verbier, Switzerland in March/April 2018.
New for 2018 on the tour: February 3 – 9th, 2018 – Time to get Rowdy
To follow the tour check on www.freerideworldtour.com
RIPPIN' BETTIES WOMEN'S CLINICS AT KICKING HORSE MOUNTAIN RESORT
An affordable 2 day clinic led by Golden Local : “led by women, for women”. “Whether you are an intermediate skier, rider looking to build confidence or an advanced skier/rider eager for challenges of double black diamond terrain, this clinic is designed for women looking to boost their confidence on off-piste terrain and learn some tricks to explore expert terrain with other great women. Affordable and in a friendly atmosphere, improve your ability to negotiate challenging terrain such as steeps, bumps, powder, firm conditions and chutes. The Ripping Betties Clinic provides an opportunity to advance your skills – and develop lasting friendships along the way
https://kickinghorseresort.com/event/rippin-betties-womens-ski-camp/
MEN'S BUMPS AND BREWS ALL MOUNTAIN SKI CAMP AT KIMBERLEY ALPINE RESORT
Bumps and Brews All Mountain ski camps are not just another ski lesson, rather a guided mountain experience with some learning thrown in. The focus at the camps is personalized skier improvement in all types of fun and challenging terrain on the mountain. You will ski lots of powder, tree runs and natural terrain, deserted groomers, train in brushes and race gates and show you secret stashes you can and can't imagine! The leaders take full advantage of the best terrain and help you experience and realize a whole new way of skiing the mountain. Bumps and Brew Camps do ski on groomed runs, but not necessarily practicing ski drills or exercises.
https://skircr.com/product/mens-bumps-brews-4-week-ski-camps/
EXPLORE MORE WITH BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS
Stay at the 4.5 star Trickle Creek Lodge, located in the base area at Kimberley Alpine Resort and practically walk right into your helicopter , with new pick ups from the resort your arrival and departure for ski touring is the most convenient it can possibly be. Pave your way through untracked Purcell Powder in the backcountry surrounding Kimberley , with over 15,000 acres of terrain to explore, plus nearly 2,000 acres or resort terrain your only problem will be not having nearly enough time for it all.
http://www.boulderhutadventures.com/availability-2018/
GUIDED UPTRACKING TOURS AT FERNIE
Uptracking, or climbing UP a mountain in skis or on a snowboard , is gaining popularity and Fernie Alpine Resort is now offering guided uptracking tours for this coming winter season. Uptracking is, in its own way, an art form and sometimes described as a Zen exercise for true lovers of winter sports.
https://skifernie.com/discover-fernie/whats-new/
SUN PEAKS SKI RESORT UNVEILS NEW PROGRAMMES
All new for the 2017/18 seaons , the Sunburst Lodge in Sun Peaks has doubled in size with a significant increase in capacity highlighted by additional seating on both levels, a complete overhaul of the food service area and ordering process, a full service bar and a new break area for ski teams in the winter months. The Annex, formally Bento's Day Lodge, a family friendly cafeteria style facility in the village base has received a 45% increase in capacity and a full interior remodel.
Catering aside however, visitors are invited to Master the Bumps in a NEW Mogul Camp allowing you to ski anywhere and explore terrain you never thought possible. Highly qualified coaches will use a variety of techniques and tactical approaches that will help you develop your skills and confidence. A five day specialized Super Kids Camp during Christmas and Presidents Week is also now to the fold for intermediate and advanced kids aged 6 – 12 years. Kids will be with the same instructor each day and no more than five students per group.
The resort will also be hosting the Sun Peaks Winter Okanagan Wine Festival for the 20th year with 20 events whilst Coors Light Snowbombing Canada returns to the resort April 5 – 9th, 2018 . Already dubbed as one of the world's premier winter music and snow sports festivals , Snowbombing is posed to redefine the expectations and experience of music lovers and ski snowboard enthusiasts alike.
For more Ski Information please contact :
Nim Singh, Media and PR Manager, Destination Canada
0207 389 9983 singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (not for publication)
