For many UK residents, Europe may be the first choice for a ski holiday. However for those wanting something a bit different then heading further afield, to the USA and Canada, is a great option. Travelling across the Atlantic to North America comes packed with benefits which can provide an extra special ski holiday. So without further ado, here are some of the reasons to book a ski holiday to the USA or Canada and why they are selling fast.
Advice from our man on the ground
Ryan from the marketing team spent much of his season life on the slopes of North America. Here is his advice, for anyone still on the fence about a ski holiday over the pond.
Mountains are mountains and snow is snow, right? Well not really when you’re experience is limited to just a few days’ holiday. There are so many plus-points for skiing in North America that are often overshadowed by the fact its more expensive to fly to Denver, Vancouver or Calgary than Geneva, Grenoble or Chambery. If you can come to terms with the journey costing more, then you’ll be able to see all the other benefits for what they are. My top four reasons why skiing in the USA and Canada always comes out on top are…
- Snow – the drier, lighter snow in the Rockies especially, makes for some of the best powder on the planet. But it isn’t just what falls from the sky, the work that goes into preparing and grooming the slopes is awe-inspiring. One of the best things many resorts do is close a couple of runs at lunchtime so the piste bashers can re-groom ready for the afternoon’s skiing!
- Resort Infrastructure – On the whole, resorts are newer than their European counterparts. Of course that means history, heritage and mountain culture simply haven’t had the time to evolve, but what may be lacking in ‘the old’ is more than made up for with ‘the new’ – modern accommodation, fast lifts, superb ski patrol, easy navigation both on the mountain and in towns, plenty of parking and public transport… The list goes on.
- Skiable areas – Although many ski areas in Europe are linked, I just prefer the way they do it in North America, where each resort has a designated ski area. Imagine a really long rope around a huge mountain and anywhere within that rope is considered ‘in-bounds’. So whether you’re skiing on or off piste, you can develop your skiing and find the terrain you enjoy skiing most – undulating groomers, through gladed forests or truly off piste in an alpine bowl – safe in the knowledge that the ski patrol (and your insurance!) have got your back if you need it
- North American Hospitality – You can’t help but feel totally spoiled by the service standards in North American ski resorts. Nothing is too much trouble and it just feels like your needs always come first. Whether you’re on the mountain, in a hotel lobby, in a restaurant on a transfer bus or even at the airport, hospitality is second-to-none and there is always someone knowledgeable to ask if you need some help.
Do you get what you pay extra for with a North American ski holiday? In my opinion, whichever resort you choose in Canada or the USA – from Whistler to Breckenridge, Fernie to Aspen, 100% yes you do.
It can be better value than you think
We generally imagine a ski trip to North America will incur a serious hit to the finances. However, this is not always the case. Our ski specialists are always on hand to guide you through the process, sharing all the price-saving tips along the way. This means it can work out around the same price as a ski trip to Europe! Flights to North America will generally get more expensive the closer you get to the departure date, so it’s worth booking soon to make the most of these great prices while you can.
Epic Pass
The Epic Pass allows you to ski in multiple resorts throughout the winter. The main pass includes unlimited access to world-class resorts including Whistler Blackcomb, Breckenridge, Vail and heaps more. Plus additional ski days in resorts in Japan and Europe. For those hardcore skiers, or just those wanting to explore a lot more resorts this winter then this might be the perfect pass for you.
Also an important thing to remember with the Epic Pass is that the price goes up closer to the winter season, so it’s best to book these early for the best prices.
Advantages of better snow
The snow at North America ski resorts tends to be very dry, which makes it fantastic for those that love light and fluffy powder to ski and board on. You’ll also find plenty of snowfall throughout the winter too, as well as snowmaking machines should they be needed. This means you won’t have to worry about a lack of snow.
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Quieter slopes
Unlike European ski resorts, the USA and Canada have much quieter slopes, meaning there will be less waiting for the lifts, and more space on the slopes. This can be much nicer for beginners, families, groups and children compared to places where the runs are more crowded.
Once-in-a-lifetime experience of skiing in the Rockies
For some, skiing in North America may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In fact, the landscape is so stunning in North American resorts, it should be on every skiers bucket list.
Whilst in North America, consider making the most of your time there and going on sightseeing tours to see some of the local area and national parks.
Tree-lined runs
Often in USA and Canada, you’ll find a lot more tree-lined runs as opposed to Europe where the tree line is a lot lower. This can make your experience that much more scenic and beautiful and is a big bonus on cloudy days when the light isn’t the best.
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Great for kids
Ski resorts in the USA and Canada can be great for kids and come with quite a few benefits. These include no language barriers when taking lessons, free ski passes for kids (with the purchase of an adult ticket and in select resorts), child-friendly mountain food, as well as lots of gentle beginner slopes.
Amazing resort options
You’ll find an abundance of stunning and luxurious resorts in North America. These include the beautiful Banff, Whistler, Breckenridge and Vail, among many others. The accommodation options in each come with a range of incredible features such as deluxe spas, heated outdoor pools, cozy opulent rooms and high-end restaurants.
Early booking offers
Booking early is the best way to get low prices for USA and Canada accommodation. These early booking discounts tend to be bigger in the Spring-Summer, and then eventually end as we approach the winter. So if the season starts then it may already be too late to enjoy the best discounts!
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Stop-over options
Fancy seeing a bit more of North America whilst you’re across the Atlantic. We can help with this too. Our tailor-made team are specialists in making custom itineraries and trips and are on hand to help you book the perfect trip. And no group is too big or too small. We often cater for large group sizes with upwards of 20 people.
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