Best of the Wild West

This authentic road trip visits seven of the best ski areas of western Canada. From the Rockies to the interior of British Columbia, the small towns of the interior, with opportunities to heli-ski and cat-ski for a day this trip offers the most complete experience to the avid skier or snowboarder. Let our guide show you the locals' secrets and maximize your time on the snow. Suited to advanced skiers and riders with a good level of fitness.

Route - 13 days/12 nights

Calgary (Airport) - Fernie (2 nights) - Nelson (2 nights) - Revelstoke (2 nights) - Golden (2 nights) - Lake Louise (2 nights) - Banff (2 nights) - Calgary (Airport)

Safari Dates 2011/2012

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Calgary - Fernie

Upon arrival at Calgary airport, you will be met and welcomed by our guide. We suggest arriving between 2 pm and 4 pm. Travelling south through the foothills, we keep the Rockies towering up in the distance on our right. We'll arrive in Fernie in the evening. Once checked-in the mountain-style hotel, we will reconvene for a quick briefing over some beers and wings. The guide will go over the itinerary and address any specific needs or concerns. If rentals are required, this will be arranged before the trip and delivered by our guide from Banff. Overnight in Fernie.

Day 2 Ski/Snowboard Fernie

We'll show you the best of Fernie with its hidden powder stashes. Fernie is renowned for its HUGE seasonal snow accumulations. The guide will accompany the group and distribute radios in the case that the group slits up. In the eveving we'll explore this quaint, former mining town turned ski mecca. Pub Crawl.
Overnight in Fernie.

Day3 Ski/Snowboard Fernie

Today we'll enjoy a second day of skiing and riding at Fernie. After our day on the mountain, we will travel west to the charming town of Nelson, on Kootenay Lake. Overnight in Nelson.

Day 4 Ski/Snowboard Red Mountain

Red Mountain has been described as "heli-skiing" with lifts. It still maintains its "old-school" feel will provide us with more than enough adrenaline for a day of skiing and riding. Apres-ski in one of the local watering holes in the town of Rossland, a former mining centre which still maintains its "wild west" ambience.. Return to Nelson. Overnight in Nelson.

Day 5 Ski/Snowboard Whitewater

Today we discover Whitewater, a locals' secret, wonderfully small with a largely untouched alpine area and a killer run down to the access road. After another sure to be epic day, we will travel to Revelsoke in the region of Rogers Pass. This town is home to a ski and exciting ski area development. Overnight in Revelstoke.

Day 6 Ski/Snowboard Revelstoke

Skiing/riding at the new Revelstoke Mountain Resort with a new chair installed for this season we will get more access to even greater vertical! Overnight in Revelstoke.

Day 7 Ski/Snowboard Revelstoke (or cat-ski)

Second day of skiing and riding at Revelstoke. Today you have the option to upgrade to a day of cat-skiing directly from the resort. In the late afternoon, we will head towards Golden with an optional stop at the Canyon Hotsprings en route (entrance fee not included). Overnight in Golden.

Day 8 Ski/Snowboard Kicking Horse

We have the day to explore the relatively new Kicking Horse Resort. Boasting the greatest vertical in the Rockies (1,260 m) and famous for its "champagne" powder, this ski area offers an unlimited number of lines in one of three massive, alpine bowls. Tonight we can sample one of the local dining venues. Overnight in Golden.

Day 9 Ski/Snowboard Kicking Horse (or heli-ski)

This second day at Kicking Horse will leave our knees begging for mercy but feeling more than complete! For those looking for a little extra, we cane substitute the resort skiing for a day of heli-skiing with Purcel Helicopter skiing (suplement). We continue in the late afternoon to the village of Lake Louise, passing through impressive Yoho National Park. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 10 Ski/Snowboard Lake Louise

Today we'll ski or ride Lake Louise, the largest ski area of the Rockies and host to the World Cup every November. After a full day of skiing and riding the back bowls, we'll visit world-famous Lake Louise. This eveving we'll have the chance to dine at one of the many excellent restaurants in the village. Overnight in Lake Louise.

Day 11 Ski/Snowboard Sunshine Village

After breakfast, we will head out to Sunshine Village, famous for its quantity of all-natural snow (no man-made stuff here!), whose Delirium Dive, is considered one of the best steeps in North America. In the evening, we encourage taking part in a pub crawl in Banff. Overnight in Banff.

Day 12 Ski/Snowboard Sunshine Village or Lake Louise

Today we can choose between Lake Louise and Sunshine depending on where the best snow is to be had. Another opportunity to experience the great quality of snow and the steeps these areas have to offer. Tonight we'll join together for our last dinner as a group. Overnight in Banff.

Day 13 Departure from Calgary

After a morning of last-minute shopping in Banff, we'll make our way back to Calgary. We will aim to be back at the Calgary airport around 2 pm. Until next time!

Includes

• 12 nights of accommodation in mountain-style lodges and hotels
• 12 breakfasts
• 2 days of skiing/riding at Fernie
• 1 day of skiing/riding at Whitewater
• 1 day of skiing/riding at Red Mountain
• 2 days of skiing/riding at Revelstoke
• 2 days of skiing/riding at Kicking Horse
• 3 days of skiing/riding at Sunshine Village & Lake Louise
• Opportunity to cat-ski (substituting one day at Revelstoke, supplement)
• Opportunity to heli-ski (substituting one day at Kicking Horse, supplement)
• Private transportation in modern tour van
• Services of local, qualified guide
• Meet & greet at Calgary airport
• Welcome reception in Fernie
• National Parks pass
• Organization of lunches, dinners
• Hotel taxes and sales tax GST/HST

Additional Options

• Rental of "High Performance" skis for the duration
• A day of heli-skiing with Purcell Helicopter Skiing in Golden
• A day of cat-skiing with Revelstoke Cat-skiing