It’s April, the winter season is wrapping up in Canada and we’ve been watching online with envy as the resorts make the most of their spring days. Endless bluebird days, fun springtime events and plenty of snow still on the ground – is this real life?
The good news is that if you’re planning a ski holiday for next season, now’s the time to look into switching up your regular January sojourn for a spring adventure.
Here are six reasons why we’re full-blown sunshine lovers plus a BONUS early bird discount deal from our mates at SkiMAx.
1. The snow. Of course.
At Snowsbest, we’re all about myth-busting – and we’re ready to bust the myth that all the best skiing in Canada is to be found in January and February. Planning your visit for March and April means that the snow base has had a chance to build up, giving you more opportunity to explore the mountain. Powder days are also still very much a thing, so you’ll have some freshies to look forward to while you’re there.
For your best chances at finding good snow, visit a mountain that’s known for delivering right up until their closing day. Sun Peaks Resort is nestled right into the mountains of interior British Columbia, and their location means you’ll be enjoying light, dry, fluffy powder falling from the sky right until mid-April each year.
2. The sunshine
Is there anything better than a long day skiing and snowboarding, finishing up with a Caesar on a deck as you watch the sun go down on the mountains?
The daylight hours in Canada can be short over December, January and February – but as soon as the calendar ticks over to March, the days get longer and, by default, better. More bluebird days, so be sure to pack the sunny lens for your goggles, as Sun Peaks is known for over 2000 hours of sunlight every year.
Bonus fun fact – This means lifts also spin longer, with Sun Peaks running their chairlifts until 4pm after February 1.
3. Leave the layers at home…
Because you won’t need them in the spring months. All that extra sunshine means that you’ll happily be on the slopes in a hoodie – so when you’re tearing up the three mountain peaks of Sun Peaks, exploring the 137 runs serviced by 13 lifts, you’ll be doing it all without freezing your digits off.
4. Everything is cheaper. Everything.
Flights. Accommodation. Car hire. Activities. Food. Drinks. Retail items. Travelling out of peak season means that prices drop right down – so you can get more bang for your buck while still enjoying everything that your Canadian holiday has to offer up.
Our tip is to use the cash you’ll save and put it towards activities that might’ve otherwise been booked up during peak season. Sun Peaks offers up a whole lot of them, including dog sled tours, fat biking, guided ice fishing, horse drawn sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoe rentals, tubing, groomer rides and – our personal favourite – the alpine fondue and starlit descent, where you enjoy an epic three-course fondue before skiing under the night sky.
5. Fun après events
From bluebird banked slaloms to better drink specials, it’s all happening in the spring time. Our picks at Sun Peaks include Snowbombing Canada, which happens to be Canada’s best ski resort music festival, straight from the European slopes to bring in some of the biggest names right into the mountains. Or stick around for Après and Ales, the perfect way to bring in closing weekend. Keep your ski boots on as you watch the sun come down slopeside.
6. The slopes all to yourself
We mean it. With the Aussie crowds heading home at the end of January, and the North American travellers not booking in until spring break – you can look forward to endless cordoroy groomers, wide-open powder bowls and some of the best tree runs you can imagine… and all to yourself. Just be nice to the locals on the chairlifts and they might even show you some of their favourite spots.
The deals
Now’s the time to book in for next season with Skimax offering up some rockstar deals for 2020 springtime good times.
7 nights at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel from only $1,255* pp twin share! 25% off lodging and 10% off lift tickets. You read that right. Bed down in a deluxe hotel room twin share at Sun Peaks Grand Hotel with a 6 day lift pass in your pocket. Valid for travel 24 February – 31 March 2020. Book & pay by 31 August 2019.
7 nights at Cahilty Lodge Sun Peaks from only $1,149* pp twin share! 1 FREE night and 10% off Lift Tickets. Yay! Bed down in a studio kitchenette room at Cahilty Lodge Sun Peaks with a 6 day lift pass. Valid for travel 13 February – 14 April 2020. Book & pay by 31 August 2019.
