​Hit North America’s Slopes This Season Says Frontier Ski

KENT, UK, 2022-Nov-17 — /Travel PR News/ — ​With new lifts helping to maximise time on the slopes and meteorologists predicting an abundance of snow across the Rockies and Pacific Northwest, Frontier Ski claims 2022–23 could be a dream season to ski North America. Experts in arranging tailor-made skiing and snowboarding holidays for over 30 years, the specialist operator has rounded up news and highlights relevant to beginners, families and powder hounds who are eager to escape to Canada (the country removing all its COVID regulations on 01 October) and the USA.

​Michael Williamson-Giles, Ski Product Manager at Frontier Ski, comments, “The rare, La Nina triple dip is predicted to turn everywhere, from inland areas ranging as far north as Revelstoke and Banff in Canada and as far south as Jackson Hole in the US, into a magical powder-packed landscape, making this an exceptional season for a ski or snowboard holiday. With fortuitous conditions forecast, it’s also the perfect time to extend your trip, for example, by combining Banff with Kicking Horse or Jasper or twinning the true Western town with Lake Louise. That’s really where Frontier Ski excels, as we have personal, first-hand knowledge of all the areas we cover, and we are experts in arranging tailor-made holidays.”

​ALBERTA

​As all three ski areas in Banff National Park are within easy reach, including Mount Norquay, Banff Sunshine and Lake Louise, it’s perfect ski territory for families who want to combine destinations, yet want to cut back on transfer time. And, with 2022/23 set to be a stellar season for snowfall, what could be more magical than castle hopping. A winter wonderland setting, stay at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, the enchanting property surrounded by soaring mountains and the iconic Lake Louise, and The Fairmont Banff Springs, known as Canada’s “Castle in the Rockies”. Featuring all the amenities of first-class hotels and spas, there is plenty to do aside from ski; ice skating and riding on horse-drawn sleighs, making this a modern day fairytale for every family.

Last season, Lake Louise added 480 acres of new backcountry terrain, the expansion making the ski resort the second-largest in Canada. And, perfect for beginners, the new Juniper Express Chair, which opened in February of this year, provides quick access to five excellent new and improved Juniper area blue runs, as well as an easy street green run. Seven nights split between the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise and The Fairmont Banff Springs from £6,395 (in total for two adults and two children) including, standard room accommodation scheduled Air Canada return flights (London Heathrow to Calgary) and scheduled return transfers to Banff. Six-day lift pass from £389pp.

​BRITISH COLUMBIA

​Set in the spectacular Purcell Mountains, Kimberley is a laid back resort with a local ambience and small town charm, the resort ideally combined with Panorama, Red Mountain or Fernie. Repairs on the North Star Quad lift are on schedule to be completed in the third week in December – the resort’s usual opening date.

An exhilarating way to enjoy the slopes, Kimberley is one of the only resorts with a designated up-tracking area. Enjoy a refreshing workout and head from the base area to the top of the North Star chairlift, where the Kootenay Haus is located, a rustic bistro offering breathtaking 180-degree views of the mountain range. Back in town, an exciting new distillery has recently opened, the owners combining fresh, local ingredients to produce their handcrafted small-batch spirits. Tailor-made 10-night ski holiday from £2,500pp (two sharing) including accommodation in Kimberley, Panorama and Fernie, return flights in/out Calgary and car hire. Excludes lift pass, prices on request.

​Located 125 kilometres from Vancouver, the mountain duo of Whistler ​​Blackcomb is replacing two chairlifts. The previous six-seater Creekside Gondola will be upgraded to a new high-speed, 10-person gondola, and the Big Red Express quad will be swapped out for a new high-speed, six-person chair. Rated as offering some of the best skiing in the world by experienced skiers and snowboarders, the resort still has plenty of green runs spread across both mountains, plus beginner areas and slow zones for first time snow seekers. 14-nights from £7,800 (in total for a family of four) including accommodation in a two bedroom suite at The Delta, return flights and transfers. Excludes Whistler day pass from £566 for 10 days per adult and from £283 per child 12 years and under.

​Ski in and ski out without the crowds at Panorama, the small family friendly village the base for a surprising amount of terrain, the mountain resort set in the Purcell range. From beginner slopes to long wide groomers and the Extreme Dream Zone – a steep black-diamond area – there is something for every level of skier. Plus the addition of thrilling gladed terrain, lying mainly in Taynton Bowl. ​​

​Ready for this season a multi-million dollar upgrade has transformed Panorama. Located in the heart of the resort, The Approach (formerly The Pine Hotel), is only a few steps away from the mountain, its 104 rooms ranging from singles to slope-side suites. Guests also have access to the hot pools at Panorama Springs. 10-nights from £1,998pp (two sharing) including accommodation in a Bluebird Room at The Approach, return flights, transfers and nine day lift pass. Price inclusive of 30% discount on lift passes and accommodation.

​Big White has a lot to shout about this season, the resort voted second in all of Canada by Conde Nast Traveler readers. Its star slopes also received a mention in The Times UK list of “The best ski resorts for beginners, under the category of “best for family-run resorts,” and with Ski Canada magazine, already naming Tot Town Daycare as “the best place to be abandoned by your parents” it’s clear to see that Big White is the perfect place for children of all ages: the designated family and senior slow skiing trails making this a multi-gen gem.

​Boasting an annual average snowfall of 7.5 metres and lots of dry champagne powder there is usually plenty of snow all season long; a terrain park, ski/boarder-cross course and the Sun Rype Bowl appealing to skiers who want to level up. All the more reason to visit, after a two-season no show, the night skiing program will be back in action. Seven-nights from £5,000 (in total for a family of 3) including accommodation in a two bedroom suite at Trappers Crossing, return flights, transfers and a six day lift pass.

​COLORADO

​Beginners travelling to Aspen Snowmass will be in luck this season, as Buttermilk, which is home to excellent learning terrain and spacious groomers, has seen a 23 million investment in its base facilities. Particularly popular with parents (USA Today declaring Snowmass the top resort in the country for families with newbie skiers and riders in Feb 2022), guests can expect a seamless experience at the ski in ski out resort, with an intuitive skier services building acting as a one-stop shop for lessons, rentals, tickets, and lounging. Reducing its carbon footprint, the new one-story, 9,300-square-foot structure will be 100% electric.

New restaurants, an increase in snowmaking capacity and high-alpine lift improvements are also going to enhance the 2022/23 offering, and even more exciting, next season, Aspen Mountain will open a new quad chairlift, and the climate change friendly Pandora area. Skiable acreage will increase by 20%, its 1,220 vertical feet of groomed trails and glades ranging from intermediate to advanced terrain. Seven-nights from £4,469pp (two sharing) including accommodation at the Limelight Hotel in a standard hotel room with breakfast included, return flights and transfers. Excludes lift passes from £673pp for six days.

​Vintage Vail is celebrating 60 years, and this season it’s all about faster and easier access to the snow, and more of it – the resort’s extensive ski area covering over 5,200 acres of varied terrain. An exciting addition, the new Sun Down Lift (No. 17), a high-speed four-person chair, will connect skiers from the bottom of Sun Down Bowl to Wildwood. Runs leading to Sundown Bowl that don’t usually see much action including Ricky’s Ridge, Seldom, and Never will be easier to reach, with multiple laps enjoyed at a pace.

The lift in Game Creek bowl will also be upgraded to a new high-speed 6-person lift. Popular with all levels of skiers, busier days will run more smoothly, so everyone can enjoy more of the snow. In tribute to its past, Vail is planning to construct two ice bars this season at Eagle’s Nest and Wildwood – the original ice bar, constructed during its 1963-64 ski season. Seven-nights from £3,390pp (two sharing) including accommodation at The Lodge At Vail, return flights and transfers. Excludes lift pass from £460 per person six days.

​Located in Colorado High Country, at an elevation of 9,600-feet Breckenridge, is among the highest-elevation towns in North America, the resort home to five peaks. This season, the Rip’s Ride chairlift is being upgraded to a high-speed quad.  A resort which is already well-known for its excellence in ski instruction, this will enhance the learning and Ski & Snowboard School experience and give guests faster access to Peak 8 so they can spend more time on the snow. In addition, it will mean easier access from Rip’s Ride to Peak 9 – another favourite with everyone from beginners to experts.

Opening earlier than planned, the season is well on its way to deliver, the weather and temperatures helping the resort to make really strong progress on snowmaking. Seven-nights from £2,888pp (two sharing) including accommodation a Hotel Room at Beaver Run Resort, return flights, and transfers. Excludes lift passes from £451pp for six days.

​Frontier Ski (020 8776 8709; ski@frontier-travel.co.uk; Frontier-ski.co.uk). ATOL PROTECTED No 5405 ABTA W3207. 

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​Frontier Ski has been offering bespoke, tailor made ski and snowboard holidays across North America for over 30 years. The team’s unrivalled knowledge of every resort they cover is gained from personal experience. This ensures no detail is ever overlooked, with Frontier Ski skilled in combining resorts based on the interests of the individual customer. Emphasis is placed on high levels of personal service, excellent destination knowledge and the flexibility to suit travellers’ requirements, the aim to create the perfect holiday to suit the individual traveller’s needs. Frontier Ski is part of the award winning Frontier Travel group, which includes programmes that encompass year-round, tailor-made holidays to Canada and the US, including the Frontier Canada, Frontier America, American Roundup and Ranch Rider brands.