13 Aug 2013
NEWS FROM CANADA'S SKI AND BOARD SLOPES
FREE CANADA SKI FOOTAGE AVAILABLE
The Canadian Tourism Commission and our provincial partners have worked together this past winter season to produce a series of 17 short, fresh films from across Canada's resorts. These are available to suitable website
and media outlet owners free of charge to upload for use. For a list of the 17 available segments and to discuss useage please contact Nim Singh at the CTC care of singh.nim@ctc-cct.ca (not for publication)
WHISTLER BLACKCOMB'S $18 MILLION EXPANSION
Whistler Blackcomb will be introducing a major lift expansion for the 2013/2014 winter season. Whistler Mountains Harmony high speed, quad chairlift will be replaced with a new Doppelmayr high speed, detachable , six pack chairlift whilst Blackcomb Mountain will see a lift enhancement with a high speed chair lift going into a new area in the Crystal Zone, currently accessed by a fixed grip triple chair.
www.whistlerblackcomb.com/the-mountain/new-lifts/index.aspx
RED MOUNTAIN RESORT TURNS GREY
Located in British Columbias Kootenay Rockies, RED will see its most significant expansion to date , to Grey Mountain. The two year plan adds 404 hectares (1000 acres) with a whole new mountain to RED's current lift serviced 682 hectares (1,685 acres). The expansion will open up intermediate runs on Grey's volcano shaped cone, allowing 360 degree skiing around the peak from a single lift, and a bounty of new groomed cruising runs, tree glades and alpine chutes. Those willing to earn their turns will revel in the seemingly endless pursuit of powder thanks to improved hiking access from RED's massive 1,700 hectare (4,200 acre) controlled ski area. The newly purchased Poma Quad Chair will be installed this summer. At project's end, Grey Mountain will have 22 defined runs with plenty of trees and natural terrain variations left for intrepid investigation
SUN PEAKS SKI CAMP
For those wanting to expand their skiing skills , Sun Peaks Resort is offering a new family Race camp and an Off Piste Camp. Ski Racing is an integral part of Sun Peaks Resort, with the all new Family Race Camp over two days allows each family member to improve and grow within a safe environment with training sessions tailored to age group and ability level. Beyond the rope lies exciting and challenging terrain to conquer. Enjoy the steepes , glades, powder and moguls with the new 3 day Off Piste Camp. Dedicated coaches will blend technical instruction , local knowledge and skiing tactics to develop all mountain skills increasing confidence and taking guests skiing to a new level.
www.sunpeaksresort.com/sports-school/group-lessons-and-camps
BIG REDS AT BIG WHITE
Uniquely situated in the heart of wine country , Big White will be pouring the Big Reds this year during the 6th annual
Red Wine Festival , December 6 - 7th 2013. The event celebrates the release of the red wines from the British Columbia Okanagan region featuring the newest releases from over 30 award winning local wineries including : Ex Nihilo, La Frenz and Road 13. The equivalent white wine event occurs March 22, 2014.
www.bigwhite.com/events-and-activities/resort-events/annual-events
MARMOT BASIN, JASPER CELEBRATES ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Jasper's Marmot Basin is in 2014 celebrating its 50th Anniversary after Marmot Basin Ski Lifts Ltd was issued a licence by Parks Canada to develop a ski area in 1964. Since the original Yellow T Bar and Eagle Chalet were constructed , other major developments have followed. In the last ten years alone, over $27million has been invested to ensure skiers and boarders enjoy the best possible facilities and conditions within Jasper National Park.
Situated in a National Park, Marmot Basin also has a long range plan in partnership with Parks Canada. Details including proposed ski area development over the next 15 years are part of Parks Canada's tiered approach to ski area
planning.
The other ski hills of Alberta: Castle Mountain, Fortress Mountain, Nakiska at Kananaskis are all also looking forward to the next season with their latest developments and news coming soon
SUNSHINE VILLAGE : NEW YOGA SKI PACKAGE
Sunshine Village, which offers the only ski in ski out accommodation in Banff National Park, has launched a new ski yoga package for the 2013/2014 ski season. Ideal for those looking for peace on the slopes and peace of body and mind. The weekend retreats include a stay at the eco- luxurious Sunshine Mountain Lodge, ski lessons with a Sunshine Village ski or snowboard instructor, a specially designed organic menu and yoga classes on the mountain designed to restore the zen and the body following a day on the slopes. Prices start from around £380.00 for the weekend excluding flight, transfers etc.
Sunshine Village has also introduced an intimate on mountain culinary experience at the Eagle's Nest with a Taste of Sunshine. Indulge in a carefully crafted four course menu with wine pairing from the Executive Chef, Martin Brenner.
FIS SNOWBOARD CROSS WORLD CUP TO BE HOSTED AT LAKE LOUSE
Lake Louise Ski Area continues to play host to the annual FIS Downhill World Cup, as well as the men's and women's FIS Snowboard Cross World Cup for the first time on 21st December, 2013. The hugely popular Ski Louise Stampede will also return this year as Canadian Rodeo stars and alumni will take to the slopes in their cowboy hats and chaps, competing in a Snow Cross Race and then a 'Stampede-stye' competition to discover who is tough enough to buck the mountain.
MONT SAINTE ANNE TO OPEN A NEW LIFT,
Mont Sainte Anne will have a new detachable quad chair which will reduce the ride time in half and it will serve more skiable terrain. This lift, which will replace the current triple chair lift, will follow a modified path to provide access to the entire mountain, not just the expert area.
Mont Sainte Anne, just half an hour from down town Quebec City, offers skiers the chance to enjoy the unique view of the St. Lawrence River and Quebec City. The skiable terrain includes 67 trails, 19 of which remain floodlit for night skiing and 4 snow parks spread across 3 sides of the mountains.
For more information : www.mont-sainte-anne.com/ete/en-us/home.aspx
SAVE THE DATE : INVITE TO SKI MEDIA FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 28TH
The Canadian Tourism Commission, provincial partners and Canadian resort reps will be inviting ski and board media to join them at a Media only event in central London on the evening of Monday October 28th . Save the Date!
For more media information about Canada please go to www.keepexploring.ca/media. Contact Ms. Nim Singh, Canadian Tourism Commission via singh.nim@ctc-cct.ca (not for publication) Twitter @canadanim
