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Your guide to Ski-ing with children from Carhire3000
Car hire France, Italy, Spain & Canada

6. Whistler, Canada

Height: 675m (ski altitude 675m-2284m)
Airport:  Vancouver (76 miles, approx 1.5 hours away)
Season:  27 November  - 26 April (Blackcomb season dates 27 November -14 June)
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Holidays to Canada have become more affordable in recent years and more and more families are heading for the country’s fabulous ski resorts, offering a family-friendly welcome and guaranteed snow.  But to justify such a long flight, there has to be something really special on offer and that’s where Whistler comes in.

Located in British Columbia, Whistler is an appealing proposition for all wintersports enthusiasts, offering quick and easy access to the slopes, a wide variety of pistes for all abilities and plenty of non-skiing activities on hand.

Snow here is guaranteed and the season is long but there are enough snow cannons here to cover over 550 acres, to ensure that the slopes remain in tip top condition.

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There are plenty of easy runs for beginners which meander down the mountain through stunning scenery – many finish in the village itself so there isn’t far to go when you finish for the day.  The majority of runs are classed as intermediate but there is also plenty here to challenge experienced skiers too, including glacier skiing – ideal for mixed ability families.

The resort is set to host the 2010 Winter Olympics and there are tours and activities now available at the new facilities, including the Olympic Park and the Whistler Sliding Centre.

The pedestrianised town centre is a huge plus point for families – and there is even a free village shuttle bus to help you get about the resort when little legs get tired.  The resort offers plenty of restaurants, bars and shops with something to suit all budgets and tastes.  There is also a great choice of accommodation from motels and hotels to self catering apartments and chalets.  (Another advantage to bringing the family to North America is that most of the hotels here offer rooms with 2 double beds, sleeping 4)

The Whistler Kids Ski and Snowboard School offers a range of lessons and programmes for 3 - 17 year olds as well as creche facilities for those not quite ready to don their skis yet.  Individual tuition is also available for more flexible learning.

And the adventure doesn’t stop there! For those in search of more activity there are helicopter sightseeing tours, heli-skiing, eagle viewing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow shoe trails, snowmobiles and cross country skiing.  Kids are also bound to enjoy the Blackcomb Tube Park (at the Excaliber gondola) or the Whistler ZipTrek which allows visitors to slide between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains in a harness.

New for December 2008 is a brand new gondola linking the summits of Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains – it will boast the longest unsupported lift span in the world (1.88 miles) and will take just 11 minutes to cross.

7. Fernie, Canada

Height: 1068m (ski altitude 1068-1925m)
Airport:  Calgary (204 miles, approx 4 hours away)
Season:  Early December - mid April
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This small Rocky Mountain resort has been steadily increasing in popularity over recent years.  What makes it particularly good for families are the easy to reach and extensive beginner’s slopes which are relatively uncrowded. 

The beginner’s slopes cover up to 30% of the mountain and can be found clustered around the base of the mountain, close to the resort – for starters, head for the Mini and Mighty Moose lifts and then take the Elk Trail.  Here, you’ll find wide, gentle slopes ideal for building confidence before progressing to the Bambi incline which leads back to the resort.

But there’s plenty here for mixed ability groups and high speed lifts (including express quads) can transfer intermediate and advanced skiers higher up the mountain for more challenging runs.

Big White, Canada

Families are recommended to stay in the Alpine Resort at the foot of the mountain, offering a choice of accommodation (including ski in, ski out), shops and restaurants as well as onsite childcare facilities.    You’ll also find a ski school here offering a variety of lessons including kid’s clubs and individual tuition.  There are ski lessons for children aged 5 years plus and the resort’s daycare provides a first taste of skiing for 3 and 4 year olds.

A further choice of hotels, restaurants and bars can be found in downtown Fernie, approximately 5km away. There is a regular bus service which connects the two.  Standards of accommodation are generally high and the resort enjoys a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that is particularly appealing to families.

Other activities in the area include cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, dog sledding, snow shoe trails and snowmobiling.  Children may also appreciate the ice skating rink and bowling alley in Fernie.

Overall this is a quieter option for a family winter holiday with good skiing opportunities for beginners.

8. Big White, Canada

Height: 1755m (ski altitude 1508-2319m)
Airport: Kelowna (35 miles, approx 40 minutes away), Vancouver (280 miles, approx 5 hours away)
Season: Mid November - Mid April
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Regularly rated as one of the top family ski destinations by the international press, the Big White Ski Resort is a parent’s dream come true.  The modern facilities and un-crowded slopes make this a winner as long as you can bear the long flight to get here.

Big White is a purpose built ski resort with the majority of its accommodation ski-in, ski-out and a wide range of pistes to suit all abilities.  Its award winning Kids Centre is described as “the ultimate kids’ playground”, running a range of fun-filled programmes on wide runs.   There are ski lessons for 4-12 year olds as well as a special ski programme for youngsters who are anxious at leaving their parents (Mom & me are skiing – for 3-6 years).  There are a variety of private lessons available as well as an “adopt an instructor” programme to ensure continuity.

For those aged between 18 months to 5 years the Tot Town Daycare runs an exciting programme of indoor and outdoor activities.  Voted “Best place to be abandoned by your parents” by Ski Canada Magazine, this is the ideal environment for children too young to ski or those who do not wish to ski for a full day.

The Main Street itself is a ski run so you can’t get any closer to the slopes than this. But there are also five powder bowls and 118 marked runs for more experienced skiers, reached via a network of high speed chairlifts and gondolas.  The Big White Ski and Board School offers a range of lessons with over 100 qualified instructors so parents also get the opportunity to brush up on their skills.

The resort offers a choice of restaurants, pubs and shops – just steps away from your accommodation.

And there are plenty of other activities on offer here too including ice skating, snowmobiling and snowshoe trails.  Children are bound to be impressed by the Mega Snow Coaster, North America’s largest tubing park – wrap up warm, grab your inflatable ring and you’re away!

Entertainment here also tends to be very family focused with bonfires, fireworks, carnivals and torchlight descents.

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