Fast Fights to the Heart of Canada's Heli-Skiing Country
Canada's Kootenay Rockies now promote themselves as the "Powder Highway" (tel. 800/661-6603; www.kootenayrockies.com). The region boasts the country's greatest concentration of heli-skiing and cat-skiing operations. Its Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXZ) in Cranbrook is served by three weekly Delta (www.delta.com) non-stop flights from Salt Lake City through April 5, as well as daily flights from Calgary and Vancouver.
Ski/Ride in Harmony Now at Sunlight
Ski in Harmony (tel. 970/274-0365; www.skiinharmony.com) Cary Thompson's innovative ski and snowboard method that unifies the skier/rider, the equipment and the mountain "as one" has relocated downvalley from Aspen Highlands to Sunlight Mountain Resort near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Lessons range in price from a full-day group class for $120 to a full-day private for $480 for up to five people in a party.
Steamboat's Sensational Family Package
If your family has just a weekend and is lusting for Steamboat's (tel. 877/237-2628; www.steamboat.com/breakaway) trademarked Champagne Powder, book a Breakaway Package: from $559 in an in-town motel or from $846 in ski-in/ski-out lodging on the mountain including Friday afternoon, all-day Saturday and Sunday skiing and rental gear for the family. This package represents a 50 percent savings off regular rates.
Ski the Steep, Deep and Cheap at Kicking Horse
Kicking Horse Resort (tel. 866/754-5425; www.kickinghorseresort.com), a relatively new resort located in British Columbia but closer to Calgary, Alberta, than any other major airport, is known for steep, uncrowded slopes and abundant snow. Through February and March, Ski & Stay two- and three- day getaway packages start at $129 per person, per day, and in spring, that drops to $99 per person, per night with a bonus night at just $79.
Arapahoe Basin Launches Bargain Spring Passes
Colorado's Arapahoe Basin (tel. 888/272-7246; www.arapahoebasin.com) is selling spring season passes. The new A+ Spring Pass is good for unlimited skiing/riding at Arapahoe Basin until the end of the 2008-2009 season, plus five non-transferable ski days at Breckenridge or Keystone (one of which can be used at Vail or Beaver Creek, with some date restrictions). An adult A+ Spring Pass costs $279. A-Basin has also introduced a new A+ Family Spring Pass for two adults and up to two children aged 6 to 14 for only $699. Passes include one free lesson and other benefits. They are so well-priced that they are worthwhile for vacationers visiting Summit County this spring.
Top Colorado Resorts now Offer Last-Minute Deals
Vail and Keystone have created new last-minute savings websites to gladden deal chasers' hearts. Check out www.vailallthelove.com and www.keystonetonight.com for last-minute lodging deals and discounts for restaurant meals, spa services and other activities.
Unveiling Vail Cascade Resort Renovations
The luxurious Vail Cascade Resort (tel. 800/420-2424; www.vailcascade.com) celebrates its recently completed $30 million renovation with Light My Fire package for couples, named for outdoor firepits and conveying whatever meaning guests wish to read into it. The package, which starts at $549 nightly for two, includes accommodations, breakfast for two, three-course dinner at the new Atwater on Gore Creek restaurant and a reserved seat for two around one of the Cascade's new firepits along with a signature blanket for couples to snuggled under outside and take home as a souvenir. A virtually private chairlift onto Vail Mountain is right outside the back door, but lift tickets are additional.
Big Sky Adds Zipline
On Valentines Day, Big Sky, Montana (tel. 800/548-4486; www.bigskyresort.com) became the latest resort to install a Zipline. Twelve riders at a time head out at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 2:30 p.m. every Saturday for a 2- to 2-1/2-hour treetop adventure. Big Sky has three lines ranging in length from 350 to 500 feet. Riders, who can reach speeds up to 25 miles per hour, must be at least four feet tall and weigh between 75 and 300 pounds. The cost is $59 per person. Reserve by calling the snowsports school at 406/995-5743.