Escape the Crowds in Western Canadaâ??s Local Ski Resorts

Make this year’s winter ski vacation one to remember by getting away to a hidden gem of Western Canada. While the crowds flock to big-brand resorts, you’ll be waist-deep in North America’s best powder with no lines to get in your way of making fresh tracks.

Canada ski vacations have it all: snowy landscapes of mountains, valleys, and glacial lakes; deepest and most consistent snow; internationally known parties and resortsâ?¦ and the crowds who love them.

So, for a line-free ski vacation this winter, consider one of Western Canadaâ??s lesser known gems. They may not have Whistlerâ??s glitz and glamour, but locals in the know find the best powder here. FernieWhere is it? In the Canadian Rockies, a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary International Airport and an hour and 15 minutes from Cranbrook, BC (served by Time Air and Air BC). The town of Fernie is five minutes away. Why you should go: This world-class ski area is known among locals as the powder capital of the Rockies â?? the snow is excellent. In addition, the ski area has recently been redeveloped to offer more accommodation (including ski-in/ski-out) and vast new terrain. It features a vertical drop of 2811 ft/857 m, 2500 acres of skiiable terrain on 106 trails, and 348 inches of snow a year. Sun PeaksWhere is it? In BCâ??s interior, 4.5 hours from Vancouver along the scenic Coquihalla Highway, and 45 minutes from Kamloops. Why you should go: Sun Peaks is friendly and fun, with great snow, blue skies, and lots of trails. It features a vertical drop of 2891 ft/881 m, 3678 acres of skiing terrain on 117 runs, with 220 inches of snow a year.Kicking HorseWhere is it?Above the town of Golden in the Canadian Rockies, 3.5 hours west of Calgary (a scenic drive through Banff and Yoho national Parks). Why you should go: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the Rockiesâ?? newest alpine resort and already gaining notoriety as offering â??the champagne of powders,â? the lightest and driest snowâ? , as well as the second longest ski-out in Canada. It features a vertical drop of 4133 ft/1260 m, 2600 acres of skiing terrain over 78 trails, with 275 inches of snowfall a year. Red MountainWhere is it? In southern BC just outside of Rossland, 2.5 hours from Spokane, Washington, or 7.5 hours from Vancouver or Calgary. Why you should go:Known for its powder and terrain over two mountains â?? Red and Granite â?? Red Mountain Resort appeals to skiers and boarders alike, and particularly those looking for a thrill. It features a vertical drop of 2909 ft/887 m, 1686 acres of terrain on over 87 runs, and 300 inches of snowfall a year.Panorama Mountain Village ResortWhere is it? Located on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Panorama is a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary International Airport and 2 hours south-west of Banff.Why you should go: Panorama has its relatively remote location in the Purcell Mountains to thank for the lack of crowds plaguing other resorts in the Rockies. It features a vertical drop of 4000 ft/1220 m (the highest in the Canadian Rockies), 119 trails and 187 inches of snow a year.

Whether youâ??re taking to the slopes for the first time, or looking for an expert thrill, these mountains have it all. Fewer crowds mean more time on the mountains, so get outside this winter with these unknown gems.

Escape the Crowds in Western Canadaâ??s Local Ski Resorts

Make this year’s winter ski vacation one to remember by getting away to a hidden gem of Western Canada. While the crowds flock to big-brand resorts, you’ll be waist-deep in North America’s best powder with no lines to get in your way of making fresh tracks.

Canada ski vacations have it all: snowy landscapes of mountains, valleys, and glacial lakes; deepest and most consistent snow; internationally known parties and resortsâ?¦ and the crowds who love them.

So, for a line-free ski vacation this winter, consider one of Western Canadaâ??s lesser known gems. They may not have Whistlerâ??s glitz and glamour, but locals in the know find the best powder here. FernieWhere is it? In the Canadian Rockies, a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary International Airport and an hour and 15 minutes from Cranbrook, BC (served by Time Air and Air BC). The town of Fernie is five minutes away. Why you should go: This world-class ski area is known among locals as the powder capital of the Rockies â?? the snow is excellent. In addition, the ski area has recently been redeveloped to offer more accommodation (including ski-in/ski-out) and vast new terrain. It features a vertical drop of 2811 ft/857 m, 2500 acres of skiiable terrain on 106 trails, and 348 inches of snow a year. Sun PeaksWhere is it? In BCâ??s interior, 4.5 hours from Vancouver along the scenic Coquihalla Highway, and 45 minutes from Kamloops. Why you should go: Sun Peaks is friendly and fun, with great snow, blue skies, and lots of trails. It features a vertical drop of 2891 ft/881 m, 3678 acres of skiing terrain on 117 runs, with 220 inches of snow a year.Kicking HorseWhere is it?Above the town of Golden in the Canadian Rockies, 3.5 hours west of Calgary (a scenic drive through Banff and Yoho national Parks). Why you should go: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the Rockiesâ?? newest alpine resort and already gaining notoriety as offering â??the champagne of powders,â? the lightest and driest snowâ? , as well as the second longest ski-out in Canada. It features a vertical drop of 4133 ft/1260 m, 2600 acres of skiing terrain over 78 trails, with 275 inches of snowfall a year. Red MountainWhere is it? In southern BC just outside of Rossland, 2.5 hours from Spokane, Washington, or 7.5 hours from Vancouver or Calgary. Why you should go:Known for its powder and terrain over two mountains â?? Red and Granite â?? Red Mountain Resort appeals to skiers and boarders alike, and particularly those looking for a thrill. It features a vertical drop of 2909 ft/887 m, 1686 acres of terrain on over 87 runs, and 300 inches of snowfall a year.Panorama Mountain Village ResortWhere is it? Located on the western slopes of the Canadian Rockies, Panorama is a 3.5 hour drive from Calgary International Airport and 2 hours south-west of Banff.Why you should go: Panorama has its relatively remote location in the Purcell Mountains to thank for the lack of crowds plaguing other resorts in the Rockies. It features a vertical drop of 4000 ft/1220 m (the highest in the Canadian Rockies), 119 trails and 187 inches of snow a year.

Whether youâ??re taking to the slopes for the first time, or looking for an expert thrill, these mountains have it all. Fewer crowds mean more time on the mountains, so get outside this winter with these unknown gems.

Hot Winter Travel Destinations for Canadians

Ask Canadians where they are heading for a winter break and you are most likely to hear Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Caribbean cruises. These tourist spots are quite hot among Canadians, because of their sun-soaked beaches and mildly warm climate. Industry experts agree that tourism demands for all these locations are hitting their all-time high because of the lavish accommodation, sight-seeing arrangements, and the variety of travel packages, which these destinations offer.

Mexican Coastal Resorts

In Mexico, Mayan Riviera, Cozumel on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun, and Los Cabos on Baja Peninsula are the most popular tourist destinations. Particularly, the Yucatan has witnessed a spectacular rise in resort and hotel development because of its amazing beaches and Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Tulum. The Mayan Riviera is also popular as the top destination for Canadian travelers. Climbing up the popularity charts are also Puerto Vallarta and a revitalized Acapulco on the Pacific coast. In Puerto Vallarta, the destination that is gaining rapid popularity is Nuevo Vallarta, which is located at north of the old town.

Growing Golf in Cuba

Cuba was devoid of any golf culture until the famous Varadero Golf was built. After it was set up, the island has just not looked back in terms of the sport’s popularity. Today, Cuba is the most sought after golf destination and is a vital attraction for the local as well as international sports lovers. Currently, the much famous Varadero Golf Club does over 32,000 rounds annually. It intends to add nine more holes to its existing facility, according to the management. A European has been given the responsibility to design the new golf site that is likely to have five holes on ocean, instead of the existing two.

Dominican Republic’s all-inclusive Packages

The growing popularity of The Dominican Republic as a tourist spot is reflected in a spectacular rise in its hotel rooms to nearly 40,000. The destination is among the favorite tourist spot for the Canadians, because of its all-inclusive vacations. In such packages, one up-front payment covers facilities including airfare, accommodation, unlimited alcohol, food, and resort activities like tennis and windsurfing. So much so that the popularity of the Dominion Republic’s all-inclusive packages have reached Caribbean and Mexican destinations. Canadian tourists heading to the Dominion Republic pay as low as $999 per person for an all-inclusive trip to a hotel/resort situated at just 10 minutes away from Puerto Plata.

Caribbean Cruises

Even the biggest tropical storms move at snail’s pace when compared with the cruise ships, which is the biggest reason for the growing popularity of the Caribbean cruises. The nice weather of the Caribbean serves like an icing on the hot cake. Even a hurricane in the cruise’s path seems like a vacuum cleaner that sucks the moisture out of the air, leaving behind bright sunny days for the tourists. Moreover, with the political uncertainties across the globe, the Canadians prefer holiday trips close to home, which is another reason contributing towards the increasing popularity of Caribbean cruises.