Can Ski Canada Now! Great flights, Hot Deals
The wait is over: yes, we can ski Canada now!
Resorts open from today, albeit in a limited fashion. Lake Louise kicked things off like this,
“Our teams have been working hard in preparation for opening day; however, the weather has not been as cooperative as we had hoped. Thanks to some contributions from Mother Nature, and our ongoing snowmaking efforts, we are now open with one lift (Glacier Chair), and three runs (Wiwaxy, Bald Eagle, and Easy Street).”
More resort openings will follow through November and early December, and more snow is a given.
You can get there now via the USA too, but when direct flights fire up again in December it will make things easier for main season.
There are plenty of good deals for favourite resorts like Big White, Whistler, Silver Star and more.
Ski Canada 2021-2022 Flight Options and Deals
Qantas are relaunching their international network as quickly as they can, adapting to covid-changed circumstances. For example, the popular Perth-London route has been replaced by Darwin-London while WA retains quarantine requirements and other travel impediments.
Qantas resume direct Sydney-Vancouver flights on 18 December, with 3 flights weekly scheduled initially.
We easily found some excellent airfares and connections (with codeshare partner WestJet) to Kelowna for example for rapid access to the Okanagan region. Thanks to crossing the dateline you still make it to Kelowna before you leave Sydney.
That will put you on snow in ski in/ski out accommodation at Big White the same evening you left Australia, ready to take tomorrow as it comes: sleep in and take it slow, or if it’s a pow day get up early and go for it!
It’s only 55 minutes from the airport to the resort. Airport Shuttles cost $CAD 87.68 return over 13 years, $69 6-12 & $29.93 up to 5 years – they must be booked at least 72 hours in advance.
Heading back there’s time to ski the last day too – nothing sadder then having to leave early on a pow day if you ask me.
We just found this on Qantas for $AUD 2011 return per person for a 2 week February mission.
Air Canada’s popular direct Sydney – Vancouver services resume on December 17 with connections to all major ski regions. We checked some of their current deals and found $AUD 1,890 for return flights to Kelowna in January. Air Canada have a morning departure and arrival which puts you on mountain around lunchtime. Whistler would be similar without a connecting flight but adding a longer transfer time. Back in pre-direct flight days when the route was Sydney – Nadi – Honolulu – Vancouver I literally fell asleep on my skis later afternoon on arrival day. Not smart.
With covid protocols and requirements in place simplifying travel as much as you can makes direct flights a no-brainer. Do you really want to enter the USA for a connecting flight to Canada?
Canada stacks up as the best option for 2021-2022 ski trips from Australia at the moment
Convenient flights are available as above.
Requirements for Canada entry are clear – check those on the link here.
Vaccination levels are high.
Requirements for vaccination and other safety requirements are generally accepted, with the level of anti-vaxxer sentiment much lower than in America. So you are far less likely to encounter unvaccinated fellow skiers.
Nothing is certain of course, but doing the maths Canada is leading the way to book with confidence.
Most resorts and tour operators have plenty of good deals. Check with your favourite for your preferred resort/s.
For example, Big White are offering a 5th night free with a 4 night booking, or 2 free nights with an 8 night booking etc through their Central Reservations.
The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) is a free and secure way to prove your COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel overseas. Check International Covid Certificates information here.
Some stuffing around, sure, but after being shut off from the World since March 2020 we won’t mind getting back out there!
