It is time for the early birds to get digging.  

Frontier Ski is offering the Fairmont Chateau Whistler at a  55% discount for a 10 nights minimum stay plus a double room upgrade for select dates.  Sample price for 4 Jan 2017 including scheduled Air Canada flights, 1 free suitcase and 1 set of skis/snowboard, 10 nights in a deluxe slopeside room at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler and a 9-day lift pass £1875 per person. 

New hotels in Banff are pretty rare - not quite like hens teeth - but unlike the busses, they don't come in threes. 

Two for the 2017 ski season.  The Moose Hotel & Suites is a brand new hotel built by the Banff Lodging Company just a couple of minutes stroll from downtown Banff.  It has a mixture of hotel rooms, 1- and 2-bedroom suites. Amenities include the Meadow Spa & Pools with 10 treatment rooms and private outdoor hot pool, a bright indoor swimming pool and exercise room on the 3rd floor, and 2 spectacular rooftop hot pools with views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Prices for a 1-bedroom suite for 7 days in February will be £1195 per person including flights, transfers and accommodation.

The old Banff International has had a change of ownership, name and refit.  It is now known as the Elk & Avenue. It is a boutique hotel with large rooms, perfect for families.  All the better to take advantage of the children ski and rent free offer (only valid at certain hotels) that Frontier Ski has.  A family of 4 with two children under 12 can spend half term in Banff for £3635 including flights, transfers, hotel and 6-day lift pass at the Elk & Avenue Hotel.