Skiing in British Columbia-Whistler and so Much More

Whistler Blackcomb is the best-known ski area in Canada but on a recent road trip through British Columbia I discovered a well-kept secret-multiple ski areas dot the area between the Rocky Mountains and the Coastal Mountains, and the further east one travels the better the snow. The warm, moist snow that dumps on the West coast often results in the heavy snow derisively referred to as Sierra cement or Cascade concrete and, according to one BC local, is measured in "cement-i-meters". Heading further east the snow become lighter and drier.

I visited three ski areas in BC, driving from Vancouver in an eastward direction. There I found hidden treasures that offered incredible skiing experiences with impressive vertical at Whistler, Sun Peaks and Revelstoke.

Whistler Blackcomb

The granddaddy of all ski areas, Whistler Blackcomb consistently ranks as #1 in skier polls year after year. The 8,100 acres spread across two mountains, variety of runs for all ability levels and après-ski amenities all make this world class resort appealing to a wide range of skiers. The vertical at Whistler is 7,494 feet, while the longest run measured 7 miles-enough to make you wish you had worked out a bit more at the gym to build stamina.

All the amenities come at a price, however, and Whistler Blackcomb can put a dent in your pocketbook, with lift tickets over $100 a day. Convenience is a factor to consider as Whistler Blackcomb is easily reached by flying into Vancouver and driving and hour and half to Whistler Village.

Don't miss the Peak to Peak Gondola experience-rising 1,430 feet above the valley, the unsupported span of 1.9 miles broke world records when it was built and will cause you to hold your breath the first time you experience it.

Stay at the Westin Hotel at the base of the mountain to easily access either the Whistler or Blackcomb Gondolas. You'll love the ski valet that allows you to tuck into your beer at the Garibaldi Lift Company without missing a beat.

The best restaurant in town is Rim Rock Cafe a special occasion dining establishment specializing in local fish and game.

Sun Peaks Resort

For a completely different experience, try Sun Peaks Resort, a 4.5 hour drive from Whistler. While the Sun Peaks Village is stylish and quaint, the attitude is more laid back than Whistler. It's perfect for families and couples looking to relax and enjoy the 3,678 acres of long cruiser runs contained within the three mountain faces that comprise Sun Peaks Resort. The vertical is 2,894 feet and the longest run is an impressive 5 miles. In this slowly recovering economy the $74 lift ticket is refreshingly value-priced.

The first thing I noticed is how light the powder was compared to Whistler. This, plus the ski-in, ski-out design of the entire village no doubt led to recent accolades: Conde Nast Traveller readers rated it the 2^nd best ski resort in Canada, and 13^th in North America, and best ski-in, ski-out village by Ski Canada Magazine in 2009.

Don't miss two activities off the ski hill. Dog sledding with Mountain Man Adventures, where you can harness your own team and mush through the wilderness, is a must-do. If you overdo it on the hill the excellent sports massage therapists at Sun Peaks Spa can work out the kinks.

Stay at historic Sun Peaks Lodge, in the oldest building of the original village, a cozy inn where you'll hear lots of German accents. You'll step out of the lodge and on to a snow covered ski-way where you'll glide to the lifts. The on-site Steakhouse Restaurant serves an ample buffet in the morning, and for dinner, succulent steaks and fresh, wild coho salmon.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

Continuing east a few more hours I found Revelstoke Mountain Resort hugging the western edge of the Rockies. While Whistler offers terrain for all abilities, and Sun Peaks excels at long, cruiser runs, Revelstoke takes aim directly at advanced skiers with a preponderance of steep runs. While there is some limited terrain for beginners, and lots for upper intermediate skiers, the majority of the terrain is pretty steep and sustained.

Lift, cat and heli-ski services ensure an infinite amount of adventure among 515,000 acres. Don't miss the North Bowl, a huge playground of steep, but easily accessed topography that plunges into miles of gladed runs. The longest run here? A thigh burning 9 miles and 5,620 feet of vertical, the highest in North America.

Stay in the gorgeous Nelsen Lodge, which just opened in March 2009, just steps from the gondola. No backcountry inn, the Nelsen Lodge is luxurious, appointed with high end finishes and furnishings. Ensconced in your contemporary alpine suite you won't ever want to leave, but the historic town of Revelstoke will tempt you into town, just five minutes away.

Charming Victorian homes line the streets of Revelstoke, dating from the days when the Canadian Pacific Railway punched through the Rockies, while the intimate downtown offers a variety of dining establishments. Try the acclaimed Woolsey Creek Café for international cuisine in a casual atmosphere.

BC ski areas rock

Looking at a map of the so-called Powder Highway, I can see that I've barely scratched the surface of BC ski areas. A fantasy is starting to take shape that involves taking an entire winter off to explore the myriad resorts, backcountry lodges, heli-ski providers and cat-ski operators that ply the snow covered mountains of the Purcell, Selkirk, Monashee, Valhalla and Rocky Mountains. From my mini-tour of BC ski areas I found unique resorts offering a variety of different experiences designed to appeal to the winter sports enthusiast.

Getting There:

To reach B.C. ski areas fly to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia, Canada, then see below for tips on reaching the individual ski areas.

Whistler: From Vancouver rent a car and drive 1.5 hours to Whistler Village. Alternatively, take the convenient Perimeter bus that drops off and picks up passengers at several locations around Whistler and makes 10 trips per day for $118 (YVR to Whistler core).

Sun Peaks: From Vancouver connect on Jazz or West Jet to Kamloops Airport (YKA), rent a car for the 4 hour drive, or arrange for shuttle transportation (available from Vancouver or Whistler).

Revelstoke: From Vancouver connect on Jazz or West Jet to Kamloops Airport (YKA) or Kelowna Airport (LYW), rent a car, or arrange for shuttle transportation. Drive times are as follows: To Vancouver, BC-7 hours; to Kelowna-2 hours (shuttle available); to Kamloops-2.5 hours.

To make a loop, start in Vancouver and drive the following segments:

-Vancouver to Whistler: 1.5 hours

-Whistler to Sun Peaks: 4.5 hours

-Sun Peaks to Revelstoke: 3 hours

-Revelstoke to Vancouver via Kelowna: 7 hours

Sources:

Whistler Blackcomb: www.whistlerblackcomb.com

Revelstoke Mountain Resort: www.revelstokemountainresort.com

Sun Peaks Resort: www.sunpeaksresort.com/