Make more of your time away by adding other activities and/or experiences to give you a real taste of the country you're visiting.
The North American lift pass concept whereby you buy a lift pass for a certain number of days that can then be used over a larger number of days eg. 8 days out of 10, gives skiers and snowboarders much more flexibility on their holiday. Particularly for those on a longer trip, 10 or 14 days of solid skiing/ snowboarding could sound a bit daunting – this is the perfect solution, you can just take a day or two out when you feel like it, without having to worry about having wasted a day’s lift pass.
It also gives skiers and snowboarders a chance to incorporate different activites or experiences on their trip….or of course simply relax. From a day’s shopping in a nearby outlet village, to a day/ half day’s snowmobiling or dogsledding, two days learning to snowkite, an overnight stay in a backcountry lodge, a trip to natural heated springs, heli or cat-skiing…there are so many options. These can either be booked and planned in advance (advisable) or booked in resort – pretty much every resort has a comprehensive programme of non-ski activities.
At the other end of the spectrum, many customers choose to make the most of the journey across the pond to get a more rounded experience of the country. From those who add on a couple of nights in a city either at the beginning or end of their trip (most of the cities we offer, you pass through on your way from the airport to the resort so it’s really easy), to those who book our Ski Safaris experiencing a number of different resorts and cities in one road trip – anything is possible depending on time and budget.
In resort activities examples:
Snowmobiling, dogsledding and snowshoeing tours are available at nearly every resort, with options/ durations to suit, some including meals and drinks and overnight options. The snowmobiling in the Yellowstone National Park as a day off from skiing in Jackson Hole is particularly recommended for its stunning scenery and the abundant wildlife – see this link for details http://www.twotopsnowmobile.com.
Nature treks, bear watching, day spas, nordic skiing, ice fishing, tubing, paragliding, ice skating and much more.
Le Scandinave Spa, a 10 minute drive away from Tremblant is also highly recommended - saunas, steam rooms, hot and cold pools and for those brave enough, a dip in the river.
Factory Outlet Shopping – despite the weakening of the pound against the dollar, the outstanding factory outlet shopping available in New England is an extra attraction to skiing at Stowe, Killington, and Sunday River with most visitors taking at least a day out to grab some bargains. As Boston is only a 7 hour flight away, and with the resorts an easy 2-3 hr drive, it can also be a quick Ski/Shop getaway, from as short as 3 days.
Add on examples:
Callaghan Backcountry Lodge near Whistler
A remote lodge set in a beautiful wilderness environment from where you can try cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, dog sledding, heli-skiing or simply enjoy the view! Various packages available including 3 days heli-skiing, a 1 day trip including lunch and a 1 night stay including dinner and breakfast.
Fernie Wilderness Adventure cat skiing add on
From 1 day cat-skiing packages including lunch, to 3 day packages with accommodation in their cozy cabin. A sample 7 night holiday – 3 nights in Fernie, 3 days/ 2 nights cat skiing package and a final night in Fernie including flights and transfers costs approximately £1,500 pp.
Northern Lights Tour add on
Combine skiing in one or more of Canada’s Western resorts with a trip to the Yukon to witness the amazing natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis. Ski holidays are tailor-made to requirements and 2, 3 or 4 night Northern Lights viewing packages are available with optional add-on activities. A sample 9 night holiday – 5 nights in a 4* hotel in Whistler and a 4 night Aurora Borealis package (including nightly viewings with refreshments, accommodation, transfers and city tour) - costs £1,819 pp based on travel in January, 2 people sharing and includes all flights and transfers.
Whistler & TLH Heli-skiing
Travel to Whistler, acclimatise and get the legs going and then head 100kms north for 3 or 4 days heli-skiing with TLH. Bus transfers are included or you can upgrade to heli transfers. Prices start from £3,139 pp based on 2 people sharing for 5 nights Whistler, 3 days heli-skiing and 1 night in Vancouver including flights and transfers.
Snowkiting in Utah
Just a 35 minute from Park City is Strawberry Reservoir - one of the best snowkiting spots in Utah. Take a day or a couple of days to experience this exciting new sport - from expert tuition for beginners to kite downwinders for the more experienced. The flexible nature of the lift passes means you can go kiting as and when the wind is good without using up any lift pass days.
Ski/ Snowboard Safari Examples:
Utah & Las Vegas
Combine mountains, desert and the bright lights of Vegas with this unique Ski Safari experience. After skiing in the famous Utah powder, take a road trip through some of the USA's most spectacular National Parks including Moab, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Lake Powell, Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam before finishing with a couple of nights in Las Vegas. 14 nights from £1,299 pp based on 2 people travelling.
California Nevada Experience Safari
This is one of our most popular and best value Ski Safari’s in North America, allowing you to combine skiing Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts and Mammoth, with city stays in San Francisco, Las Vegas or Los Angeles. It is easy to go via one or more of California’s vineyards en-route.
Whistler, Vancouver and Vancouver Island
Visit the famous Granville market, hire bikes and explore Stanley Park, book a sightseeing trip on the sea plane for a fantastic aerial view of Vancouver and the surrounding mountains and much more. If there is more time available, including a visit to Vancouver Island is highly recommended – we suggest 3 nights or more to make the most of the experience, from walks in the stunning National Parks and beaches, to whale watching trips, storm watching or hot springs.
For an extraordinary adventure:
Combine sensational snow and unusual terrain with fantastic food and the attractions of both a modern economy and a rich cultural history - Japan is the ultimate ski experience. A 10 night ski trip to Japan costs from £1,539 pp including flights, transfers and accommodation. A 14 night trip including city stays in both Tokyo and Kyoto costs from £1,999 pp on the same basis.
Click here for details on our Japanese Safari.
Not only does Chile offer a different ski experience, but the incredible diversity of the country's geography means that it is possible to create some truly extraordinary Ski Safaris. From the sculptured landscape of the parched Atacama Desert in the north to the icy fjords and snow-capped volcanoes of Patagonia in the south, we are able to add-on day trips and multi-day packages to all areas of Chile.
Our recommended 10 night luxury trip - 2 nights in Santiago (5* accommodation and including a city tour) and 7 nights in Portillo (including lift passes, 4+* ski in ski out accommodation and 4 meals a day) costs from £2,475 pp based on 2 sharing. Cheaper itineraries are available.
Sun & Ski Twin Centres
Whistler & Hawaii
Perhaps the ultimate trip combining skiing/ snowboarding at one of the greatest resorts in the world with the sunshine on one of Hawaii's beautiful islands. From £1,950 pp for 7 nights at each location including flights, transfers and 4* accommodation.
Other luxury Ski & Sun combinations are available such as a week in a 5* resort in Barbados with skiing at exclusive Beaver Creek or Florida or Miami with Colorado ski resorts.
For further information on any of the above, to chat through the options or get a sample quotation, please call us on
01273 224 060.