Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Winter Activities
DOWNHILL SKIING
ers than skiiers. And no wonder! With
snowboarding, the excitement of hit-
ting the slopes is fi vefold.
Known the world over for downhill ski-
ing, the mountains of Western Canada
attract numerous downhill skiers every
year. The most popular ski hills are
located around Banff and Jasper and
north of Vancouver at Whistler and
Blackcomb. Fans of powder skiing are
whisked to the highest summits of the
Rockies by helicopter, and deposited
there to enjoy the ski of their lives.
In spite of common perception, snow-
boarding is not just for the young; there
is no age limit for enjoying the pleas-
ures of a slalom run. For beginners,
a few lessons are a good idea before
heading out, and many ski hills offer
this service. Most also rent equipment.
SNOWMOBILING
CROSS-COUNTRY
SKIING
This winter activity has many fans
in the West, where each province is
crisscrossed by several kilometres of
trails. For more information on the
provincial trail system, clubs and events,
contact the BC Snowmobile Federation,
the Alberta Snowmobile Association, the
Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association
or the Snowmobilers of Manitoba Inc.
Some parks, like those in Kananaskis
Country and in the Rocky Mountains,
are renowned for their long cross-coun-
try ski trails. Daily ski rentals are avail-
able at most ski centres.
SNOWBOARDING
You can explore these four provinces
by snowmobile, but be sure to respect
regulations. Furthermore, don't forget
Snowboarding appeared at the begin-
ning of the 1990s. While a marginal ac-
tivity at fi rst, the sport quickly caught on,
to the point that today's North American
ski hills often have more snowboard-
3
A winter landscape with white-clad
mountains.
© iStockphoto.com / Philippe Widling
4
A freestyle cross-country skier.
© Tourism Saskatchewan, Douglas E. Walker
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