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Michelle's Steamboat adventure

I travelled to Steamboat earlier in the year and LOVED it! Although a keen skier, this year I decided it was time to learn to snowboard, however when it started to snow I was annoyed. I thought ‘why am I learning to snowboard when I could be going crazy on skis’. As it turned out I had an awesome powder day snowboarding. It was my third day in Ski school and I was doing black runs and going through trees, it was so much fun. The ski school is incredible - the best you will come across and if you love tree skiing there is plenty of it here.

I love shopping more than anything so when I heard that there were no chain stores I was a little worried, because I love my labels. There are over 200 shops in Steamboat and they are all locally owned and operated. It’s great for one-of-a-kind items and Cowboy boots. I was pleasantly surprised. In addition to the Mountain Village, the town of Steamboat, an old cowboy and western town, is only a few kilometres down the road which is easily accessible by constant running free shuttles.

If you have a day or afternoon off from skiing the Strawberry Park hot springs are definitely worth a visit. They are super relaxing and there are several natural spas ranging from hot (over 40 degrees) to almost freezing. The ice cold one was my favourite. It was refreshing to say the very least and yes I was the only person in there.

Steamboat has it all. The dining options are impressive. Café Diva is the best restaurant ever. The beetroot gnoochi is amazing, just make sure you make a reservation.

For lodging there is something for everyone ranging from affordable studios, fully self contained apartments and vacation homes with several ski in/ ski out options. I stayed at Torian Plum, a deluxe property in the centre of the ski village.

I would definitely recommend this destination to my clients. With so much on offer you are sure to have a great time!

Michelle Gray – Assistant to Toby Withers and Sales Consultant

Silver Star,BC, Canada

You will fall in love with Silver Star's quaint Victorian resort. The brightly coloured stores and boarded sidewalks provide an ambience that radiate fun and excitement for the whole family.

Getting there is also easy. Fly into Kelowna and it is only 45 minutes to the famous Okanagan powder.

Silver Star is known for its reliable snow with an average of 700 plus cm per year. All of this great snow combined with relatively mild weather in January, makes Silver Star the perfect resort for lots of family fun in the sun and fresh Canadian powder.

The ski-in/ski-out properties are ideal for families and the well-renowned Star Kids Centre helps to make family holidays a breeze. Located in the village, Silver Star is known for its great tubing park "Tube Town" and their tube lift means you can make run after run without hiking back to the top.

Silver Star also offers snowmobiling, sleigh rides, ice skating and snow shoeing to keep the kids busy, and for the more adventurous skiers, Silver Star also has the unrivalled Telus Park which includes a terrain park and rail garden, regular half-pipe, aerial training site, dual moguls race course and race centre.

Whatever mood you are in after an activity packed day, Silver Star has plenty of evening entertainment to suit you and your family. From rustic, pub-style bars and lounges, to live entertainment at The Den Bistro & Bar. The only hard thing will be deciding what to choose.

12 Days of Christmas at Silver Star's Snowbird Lodge

Set in the charming snow covered village of Silver Star Mountain, there is no better place to start the holiday season.
Silver Star's 12 days of Christmas celebration at Snowbird Lodge starts 14 Dec 2010 and runs right up to Christmas Day. Each night takes in a different activity including carols, Christmas stories, and hot chocolate and cookies by the fireplace. Let this Christmas be a memory the whole family will remember forever.

Day 1 - Let your creativity flow in making your own Christmas decorations
Day 2 - Help in decorating the Snowbird club with Christmas crafts and lights
Day 3 - Singing all your favourite Christmas carols
Day 4 - Create and decorate your very own Christmas cards to send to loved ones
Day 5 - All day Christmas movie marathon
Day 6 - Carol sing along with hot chocolates, hot apple cider and cookies
Day 7 - Christmas craft making, snowmans, and angels
Day 8 - Evening skating on Brewers Pond
Day 9 - Join Vernon Community Singers Christmas caroling around the village
Day 10 - Christmas trivia night
Day 11 - All day Christmas movie marathon
Day 12 - Christmas Day! - Join Santa and the merry cheers throughout the village.

The Inside Scoop - Telluride

We have been given the inside scoop from one of Telluride's very own so you get the most out of your holiday!

Best Beginner Run
Galloping Goose: Atop Prospect Bowl Express (12), this rolling 7.4 km trail takes beginners past some of the most scenic vistas in North America.

Best Bump Run
Mammoth: From the top of Plunge Lift (9), this wide and consistently steep bump run is the place to prove your skills in the moguls.

Best Groomer
See Forever: The name of this run says it all. Take in the views of Bear Creek, Wilson Peak, the San Sophia range, and the La Sals of Utah while carving up fresh corduroy.

Best Apres
The Beach at Gorrono Ranch: Sit back in a beach chair and soak in the sun, music, and views at the Beach at Gorrono Ranch, located on the mountain under the Village Express (4). Slopeside in Mountain Village, check out live music and craft beers from around the world at the new Hop Garden - look for the big yellow umbrella.

Unique apres ski activity....
Perched at the top of the gondola, few restaurants in the world rival the breathtaking views, world-class cuisine and award-winning wine list of Allred's. Open to the public for apres ski at the bar and nightly dining. Consider this a "must do" activity while in Telluride.

Best Photo Op
Anywhere on the mountain... yet the top of the Prospect Bowl Express (12) and the top of the new Revelation Lift (15) boast stunning 360 degree panoramas.

Whistler Celebrates Winter Like No Place Else

In Whistler Canada, you don't need to look far to find reasons to celebrate winter, the alpine receives an average of 10.22 metres of snow per year. Fresh flakes blanket the largest amount of skiable terrain in North America, and the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects the side-by-side Whistler Blackcomb Mountains.
The unmistakable energy of this inspiring destination, consistently rated as the number one ski resort in North America, makes it truly special. When you experience the unforgettable thrill of a Whistler snow day - from the sparkling snow on the slopes to the twinkling lights of the vibrant Village - you'll understand why Whistler celebrates winter like no place else.

Discover Whistler Creekside
Whistler Creekside was the original point of access to Whistler Mountain when it opened for skiing in 1966. During the 2010 Winter Games, it was where all of the Olympic and Paralympic alpine skiing events took place.
Whistler Creekside provides a valuable alternative to Whistler Village not only as a convenient starting point for a day of skiing and snowboarding on the spectacular Whistler Blackcomb Mountains, but also for accommodation, dining and apres.

Accommodation
Whistler Creekside offers a variety of lodgings to choose from, including ski-in/ski-out options. The addition of luxury accommodations within the last several years contributed to the revitalisation of Whistler Creekside.
A stay in this area is typically an opportunity to benefit from great value as accommodation rates tend to be lower in Creekside than in Whistler Village.

Amenities
Creekside offers dining possibilities ranging from casual to more refined, a slope side apres spot, a grocery store, its own gondola and more.

Skiing and Snowboarding
The world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola connects Whistler Mountain with Blackcomb Mountain, so access to the diverse skiing and snowboarding terrain on both mountains is accessible from Whistler Creekside via Whistler Blackcomb's lift system. Whistler Blackcomb has a Creekside location for lift ticket collection, children's ski and snowboard lessons, and equipment rental.

Whistler Creekside has a history of hosting unforgettable moments - from welcoming the first skiers to Whistler Mountain, to providing a venue for some of the world's best alpine skiers to compete. Come and experience Creekside, and revel in the magic of Whistler's 2011 / 2012 winter season.

Big White, BC, Canada

Big White is Canada's largest ski in ski out ski resort. Located in the picturesque Okanagan Valley, and only 45 minutes from Kelowna airport - it's really easy to get to Big White...

If you're after fantastic snow, don't look any further than Big White! "It's the snow" is their motto and they certainly live up to their name with an average 750cm of famous Okanagan powder falling annually.

Renowned for its deep powder bowls, wide-open glades, and great fall-line cruising, Big White is also uniquely blessed with sunny weather, dry powder and a mild average temperature of -5C. There's a great selection of terrain for everyone, with marked runs fanning from the summit, 1,147 hectares of skiable terrain, and 16 lifts.

The entire family can enjoy Big White as it offers a great range of events and activities including night skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, mini z's, fireworks and carnivals just to name a few.

Big White also has the added bonus of complimentary ski tours. Master our Mountain is a dedicated daily tour of Big White designed for families to conquer their surroundings in one free session. This unique tour provides a truly unforgettable on-snow experience for the entire family.

NONSTOP Ski Instructor Courses and Camps

Are you looking to start a career in the ski industry or develop your skiing to a high level?

If you like the idea of gaining a recognised qualification, and want to meet like-minded people, then a NONSTOP course is for you. You'll be skiing like a pro in no time!

With NONSTOP you'll ski with a team of high-level pros in the best areas of the mountain - piste, powder and bumps. By pushing your ability and having fun, you'll be surprised how quickly you progress. Whether you choose a short development course or one of the ultimate long course experiences, you will be guaranteed the experience of a lifetime.

Various instructor courses and camps are on offer, including:
• 2 week freestyle camps
• 3, 5 or 11 week ski & snowboard instructor course
• 12 week ski instructor course in New Zealand
• 6 week "MTM" off-piste course
• 2 or 3 week ski development / performance camps
• 2 week Snow Safaris in Canada (skiing / boarding 4 mountains)

These unique programs also include the opportunity to experience a wide range of mountain skills, cultural and sporting experiences. At NONSTOP you will receive up to 25 hours of tuition during any given week with each group lesson. All groups are small and personal and cater to every level, from beginner to advanced each group is organised accordingly to maximise your experience.