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Ski or snowboard to your heart's content or allow yourself the freedom to take advantage of as much or as little as you wish. We have a large network of local friends and experts to take you beyond the ski scene.
Shopping
A good vacation is therapy for the soul and they say that retail therapy helps make a good vacation. There's no end to the shopping opportunities that exist in the resorts and surrounding towns and cities we visit. Without exception every resort in our winter schedule offers numerous shops and retail outlets. However, if shopping is a major factor in your holiday, we recommend you consider the following:
- Banff, Alberta: home base to Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, Banff is a shopper's paradise with Main Street shops set against a spectacular Canadian Rocky Mountain backdrop.
- Sun Peaks Resort, B.C.: situated halfway between Vancouver and Banff, Sun Peaks offers good shopping within a smaller more intimate resort setting.
- Park City, Utah: Originally an old USA mining town, Park City has retained the charm of its origins and created several streets of excellent retail. Add to this the extensive Factory Outlet shopping complex just 15 minutes down the road, and you may never need to wax your skis again.
- Whistler/Blackcomb, B.C.: No longer able to be considered just a ski resort it has grown into a small city, beautifully nestled in the coastal mountains north of Vancouver, B.C. Boasting excellent and extensive shopping opportunities, it's also important to note there is also the ever-popular Starbucks for a rest along the way.
Bars & Pubs
For most of us old enough to drink one thing is certain: a thirst quenching ale, mixed drink or glass of wine after skiing is something we look forward to. Happily ski resort bars and pubs the world over share this thinking like the Irish Pub at Whistler/Blackcomb, Macker's at Sun Peaks Resort and Long John's Pub at Silver Star Mountain - and the many, many others that all take serious pride in making sure the beer is cold.
Our home delivered grocery/beverage service is another way to enjoy a relaxing drink right at home. Be it a full home, condo, suite sometimes there is no better way to enjoy a drink after skiing than kicking off your boots and sitting in your own private hot tub, soaking away those tired muscles.
Casual Cafés
Whether enjoying a latte and pastry on a sunny day or a hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows, sitting in a café is a great part of the mountain holiday. Be it Bugaboos Bakery Café at Silver Star Mountain Resort,B.C. or Starbucks in Whistler, Banff or Aspen, maybe the Bad Ass Coffee Co. in Park City, Utah, one thing is certain: cafés and ski resorts go together beautifully!
Dining Out
Savour the champagne powder snow by day and the great dining by night. Here again our selected ski resorts do not disappoint, offering all types of dining experiences.
There is the Claim Jumper Steak House in Park City (Utah), and Itchiban Sushi, located in an old-style church, is down the road in Salt Lake City; in Lake Louise near Banff there's The Post Hotel's fine dining room; in Red Mountain (B.C.) the Mountain Gypsy awaits; the rustic charm of old era of train travel lives on at the Putnam Station Hotel restaurant in Silver Star and the sophisticated styling of fine dining in Whistler/Blackcomb's Bear Foot Bistro is not to be missed. Like the many varied ski trails, dining experiences abound across the ski resorts listed in our winter resort schedule.
Dining Out With Gourmet Walkabout at Silver Star
Guests who have experienced a Gourmet Walkabout consider this a "must-do". Join in for a trip downtown, off the mountain, to enjoy an evening of local wine paired with distinct courses during a progressive dinner at different restaurants. It's an evening you'll fondly remember. (Silver Star Mtn only)
Try Curling
Canada's national sport, curling is a surprisingly precise sport which entails sliding a "rock" down the ice to have it stop exactly on the marked spot. With slippery shoes, big rocks and sweepers, brushing the ice to increase the rocks sliding speed, the game is as much an art as a sport. While at Canadian ski resorts, an evening down to the local curling rink makes for some slippery good fun for the whole family, all ages. (Where available)
See A Live Canadian Ice Hockey Game
Canadians are very passionate about this dynamic, fast-paced game they created way back in the mid 1800's.
In these parts they say "go down to watch a fight and hope that a hockey game breaks out".
Find out what the all the excitement is about by joining us to view a hockey game live from the ice rink stands. (Where available.)
Scenic Helicopter Flights
Take to the skies for a spectacular view of the ski resort and the region's amazing diversity... crystal lakes, snow-capped mountains and forests. To enjoy the view and take advantage of skiing another local resort all in one day, sign up for the Inter-Resort Heli-Shuttle. (Where available)
Relax at the Day Spa
Ahhh...what more can you say. From a European stone massage to aromatherapy reflexology, this is total relaxation. Perhaps this is how to spend your day of rest from exploring the mountain or an excuse to get ready for a romantic dinner. This is your holiday....go ahead and ski hard, but relax to the max too. (Where available.)
Soak In a Hot Tub
Relaxing your muscles after another great day of skiing or riding embodies the essence of a true winter escape in the snow. Sitting in a bubbling, toasty warm hot tub with snowflakes falling all around is part of the North American winter vacation experience. Typically condominium buildings offer common hot tubs for guests and often vacation homes will have their own private hot tub. Enjoying a hot tub is a great way to relax and it's a fun place to tell the tales of your day's adventures on the mountain. (Where available.)
Visit the Fitness Centre
Skiing and the great outdoors have given you the incentive to get in shape or stay in shape. Exercise machine equipped fitness centers are common place in many hotels and condominium buildings. Also, numerous resorts have public access fitness centers. If a regular workout in a fitness centre is part of your routine, there is bound to be a facility nearby your ski resort accommodation. (Where available)
Scale an Indoor Climbing Wall
Burn off a little extra energy or test your strength and skill off the slopes with a trip to an indoor climbing wall. Great fun for the kids and challenging for the adults, climbing walls offer terrific family fun. Certified guides are on-hand to supervise and teach climbing skills. (Where available)
Go Swimming
The air is brisk, but the water is a cozy, warm. The Sun Peaks Sports Centre is for the whole family with a large outdoor pool, hot tub and "baby" pool. (Where available.)
Outdoor Ice Skating
Ice skating...another classic winter village experience not to be missed! Many resorts have dedicated ice skating areas - some surfaces are actually lovely ponds come summer. Typically these skating areas have adjacent skate and hockey stick rental shops - they are also usually well lit at night allowing for skating under the stars. If you are a newcomer to skating, be sure to ask for a stool or chair to help you balance as you find your skating legs on the slippery ice. (Where available.)
Schedule an In-Home Massage
After a mountainside hot tub, there's nothing better than hearing a knock at your door and welcoming in the aromatherapy and massage professional. With soothing dulcet tones playing in the background, your tired muscles will be massaged into total relaxation.
It does not get much better, you are in a deluxe private mountain home, a hot tub to warm and relax you and then, an in-home massage to sooth the tired body. After, you need only move a few steps and recline by the fireplace with your favourite drink, or curl up and have a little nap before dinner. (Where available.)
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