Craig Charley

Skier but would love to try snowboarding one day.

I'm a rarity in that I joined Ski Safari with no ski experience. Ten years later I've skied in the USA, Canada, Norway, Switzerland and Japan, and now I can't imagine a winter off the slopes!

It has to be proposing to my wife on the Icefields Parkway, the incredibly scenic drive between Banff and Jasper. We took a whole day for the drive and stopped at almost every viewpoint, which helped me pick the perfect one - the Saskatchewan River Crossing at the halfway point. Some people find the drive along the Icefields Parkway nerve-wracking due to snow and ice - it was nerve-wracking for me for an entirely different reason!

Partly for the reason above, but also due to the unparalleled scenery, skiing and service, our Alberta Rockies Ski Safari tops my list. Two cool and friendly mountain towns, four varied ski areas and more activities than you could ever try on one trip. Conditions were perfect when I visited, including on the drive along the Icefields Parkway, and we managed to squeeze in plenty of sightseeing alongside the skiing.

Northstar, Palisades Tahoe, Heavenly and Kirkwood on a Lake Tahoe Ski Safari in March 2025. An incredible trip with wall-to-wall sunshine, great snow and stunning scenery.

I'll be heading back to Norway to finally ski Kvitfjell, and to revisit a potential new resort, in February 2026.

I started skiing later in life than most, but active holidays have always been a passion. My summer holidays involve more hiking, climbing and surfing than sitting by a pool.

Ski with an instructor/guide as often as possible, no matter how experienced you are. Not only will your skiing improve, you'll also find the best spots on the mountain.