Archive for the ‘B: Sun Peaks’ Category

Winter Scenes

Saturday, February 28th, 2009

A small collection of winter images – snow photographs – most taken recently on a beautiful winter’s day in and around Panorama Mountain Village.

Winter Images

Snow Images

Of course, photographs never quite seem to capture the magic of a perfect winter’s day …

So consider visiting beautiful British Columbia during the winter, and experience it for yourself!

At Compass Tours, we can help you book the holiday of a lifetime to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke … all renowned Canadian mountain holiday destinations!

Read what our clients have to say about the destinations, and about us!

Then contact us to see what we can do for you!

Opening Day at Whistler, Sun Peaks, Revelstoke, Panorama

Friday, November 28th, 2008

Well, folks, its finally here! The ski and snowboard season has begun and more terrain is being opened up every day!

Opening Day

Whistler recently opened with a solid snow base already set and more falling all the time! The Whistler Gondola, Emerald Chair, Big Red Express, and Franz’s Chair are operating.

Sun Peaks has been open since last weekend, with the Elevation Quad and Sunburst Express chairs giving sliders access to the alpine.

Revelstoke opened yesterday with both The Stoke chair and Revelation Gondola ready to whisk you to the powder!

Panorama will open to the public as scheduled on December 12th. In the meantime, several ski teams are getting in some serious early-season training!

Planning a Canadian mountain holiday with your skis or board this winter? Compass Tours would love to hear from you! We can create your dream holiday by putting together reasonably-priced custom vacations to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama, and Revelstoke!

See what our clients have to say – they rate the resorts, the amenities, and the service they received from Compass Tours!

Contact us for more information today!

Holiday Savings as Canadian Dollar Weakens

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

For the first time in many months, the Canadian Dollar has weakened substantially, allowing the major world currencies to gain ground and make Canadian mountain holidays more affordable!

Canadian Dollar

Today, one US Dollar will buy more than C$1.20! One Pound Sterling will buy more than C$2.05! One Euro will buy more than C$1.59! And one Australian Dollar will buy more than C$0.83!

This effectively makes a Canadian ski holiday cheaper for our international guests! So, if you’re thinking of taking advantage of these holiday savings, now’s the time to act!

Visit Whistler, Sun Peaks, Panorama and Revelstoke in British Columbia, Canada, this winter!

Compass Tours can help you arrange your trip, taking the worry out of the process and ensuring that everything runs smoothly … all you’ll have to worry about will be enjoying yourself when you get here!

Take advantage of our experience, local knowledge and commitment to service … see what our clients have to say about Compass Tours, and the destinations we represent!

If you haven’t booked a snow holiday before, visit our website for tips and guidelines.

Ask us to put your no-obligation, free quote together for your family and friends today!

Cold Weather Presages Great Ski Season

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Cooler than normal temperatures across southern British Columbia have brought plenty of early snow to the peaks of the region’s mountain resorts! And the snow guns are firing on the lower slopes, too!

These photo’s of Whistler, Sun Peaks and Panorama, were taken today (Thursday, October 16th):

early snow

The larger resorts plan to open early, as usual, for ski team training. And this year they’re getting one of the earliest starts ever on slope preparation!

This will produce a pay-off for skiers and boarders during the regular season because base conditions will be of a better quality right from the start!

Are you thinking of planning a snow holiday for this winter?

Consider some of Canada’s leading resorts:

Whistler

Sun Peaks

Panorama

Revelstoke

If you’ve never planned a snow holiday before, please visit our website for some tips and guidelines!

Compass Tours would be pleased to help you create the vacation of the lifetime!

Contact us today for your free, no obligation quote!

Sun Peaks – New For Winter 08/09

Friday, August 8th, 2008

While western Canada enjoys the last days of summer, our thoughts are already turning to the coming winter! Sun Peaks has several new things to offer visitors this snow season – here are some of them:

Sun Peaks

The Kookaburra Lodge has been under construction since May 2008, and is on schedule to welcome its first guests during winter 08/09. Located across from the Sun Peaks Sports Centre, with easy pedestrian access to the main village with its lift bases, restaurants, activities, and shopping, this building offers comfortable apartment-style accommodation for visitors in one-, two-, three-, four-bedroom units, some with lock-off studios, above ground level commercial space.

The Delta Residences wing of the Delta Sun Peaks Resort, which opened last winter, will again welcome guests to its lovely one- and two-bedroom suites. High-end finishing, like plasma screen tv’s and hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops in the full kitchens, make this a favourite place to stay!

On the ground floor of the Residences building, the Bluebird Market has 3500 square feet of grocery essentials stocked for the convenience of Sun Peaks visitors.

There will be some news stores and services, too: Elevation high performance rental shop, 5 Forty deli and cafe, Subculture bistro, Studio 578 (a hair salon), Alpine Blossoms (florist – pre-bookings only), Alpine Images (in a new location with a larger gallery), and the liquor store at its new location in the Delta Residences building.

Also to be introduced this winter are two new Piston Bully Snow Cats, for precision grooming on the slopes!

Compass Tours is proud to offer reasonably-priced custom Sun Peaks holiday packages – read what our clients have to say!

Ask us to create a quote for your next Sun Peaks vacation – its free, and there’s no obligation!

Don’t forget, we also work in Whistler and Panorama!

Summer In The Mountains

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

Today’s the official start of summer in Panorama: The first day of operations at Greywolf Golf Course! Although the course opening was delayed a week due to the cool spring and late snowmelt, its been worth the wait! The first long weekend of summer promises increased temperatures, up to as much as 30C, and sunshine right through to Monday!

Greywolf Golf Course

Whistler’s summer has kicked in, too, with the golf courses all having opened in the past couple of weeks. Canada’s leading golf destination has five championship courses that’ll delight the most discerning golfer!

Furry Creek Golf

After an epic winter of huge snowfalls, and a long, chilly spring, Sun Peaks‘ Graham Cooke design golf course is scheduled to open for the season on May 24th.

Sun Peaks Golf

Compass Tours specializes in creating reasonably-priced summer and winter holiday packages to Whistler, Sun Peaks and Panorama resorts. Experience, local knowledge, and great service!

Contact us today for your free, no-obligation quote!

End of Ski Season in Panorama, Sun Peaks & Whistler

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Yes, its that time of year already! The freezing levels are starting to rise and the daffodils, tulips, bluebells and snowdrops are starting to pop up.

Spring Flowers

Panorama Mountain Village closed last Sunday, seeing the end of an epic season which boasted super snow conditions throughout the winter! Now the golf season’s on the way, with Greywolf Golf Course set to open on May 9th, with the mountain bike park soon to follow!

Greywolf Golf Course

This coming Sunday will see the last weekend of winter operations in Sun Peaks for 2008, with several end-of-season events scheduled to celebrate what has been a great snow year. The Sun Peaks Golf Course will open on May 17th, and the mountain bike park opens June 28th.

Mountain Biking

Whistler still has almost two weeks of skiing and boarding left with Whistler Mountain closing on April 20th, while Blackcomb remains open as conditions permit until June 8th. Summer sliding on Blackcomb Glacier will open on June 9th. The much-anticipated Whistler golf season will start on April 18th with the opening of Big Sky Golf & Country Club. The other courses, Fairmont Chateau, Nicklaus North, and Whistler Golf Club, will be coming online as soon as conditions permit. The world-class mountain bike park on Whistler Mountain opens on May 17th.

Summer in Whistler Village

If you’re thinking of planning a Canadian mountain holiday this summer, ask Compass Tours to help you make the arrangements! We operate in Whistler, Sun Peaks and Panorama, and would love to help you get the most out of your vacation! Contact us today for your free quote – and to benefit from our local knowledge and vacation planning experience!

Nordic Skiing Updates for Whistler, Sun Peaks & Panorama

Sunday, January 13th, 2008

What a great snow year all the mountain resorts in B.C. are having this season!

Whistler Nordic Centre

Things are going ahead at the new Whistler nordic centre in the Callaghan Valley – now officially known as Whistler Olympic Park. The facilities have been open for some weeks and have proved to be a hit with nordic fans! Added to the popular Lost Lake complex in the village, Whistler has grown into a world class nordic destination – there’s plenty here to keep everyone entertained!

More great news is that the issue of dual-passes with Lost Lake cross country trails has been resolved … users can now choose from a pass that gives them access to the Callaghan Valley network of trails alone, or just to the Lost Lake trails … or a dual pass that covers both! For more information on the new facilities and trail passes in the Callaghan, visit the official Whistler Olympic Park website.

Sun Peaks Cross Country Skiing

Sun Peaks offers skinny skiers a total of 40km of trails – 28km are trackset for both classic and skate skiing, and 12km are ungroomed backcountry trails. An added bonus is that the nordic pass in Sun Peaks includes access to the Mt Morrisey Express alpine lift, which opens up a great tour all the way down to the McGillivray Lake warming hut.

Greywolf Nordic Centre

This winter Panorama has a little less to offer in the way of cross country skiing than usual, due to logging in the area that has closed access to some outlying trails. There’s still access to over 10km of groomed and trackset trails, though, via the Greywolf Nordic Centre. You can also stop at Carrick’s Restaurant, which offers casual light dining with a licenced bar, and a retail outlet, too, for those items you may have forgotten to bring along!

Compass Tours can create your holiday package to any of these outstanding resorts!

Let us put a reasonably-priced custom package together for you, with a free quote, so that you don’t miss out! Read what our clients have to say about us!

Contact us today for more information!

Bed & Breakfasts In British Columbia

Wednesday, December 26th, 2007

A great alternative to hotel- or condo-style accommodation for your Canadian mountain holiday is a bed & breakfast inn. Just imagine:

You start you day with a good meal that’s catered for (and cleaned up after!), along with the personalized experience of staying in a small property where people will know your name – in a neighbourhood right where the locals live!

Earl Grey Lodge

Earl Grey Lodge, Panorama Resort

An example of this is the Earl Grey Lodge in Panorama Resort. Located in the main village area, this bnb is just steps from the lift base and within easy walking distance of all the amenities. Your hosts, Phil & Clare Marshall, will make you feel right at home, and there’s also the opportunity to enjoy the service at their intimate award-winning restaurant if you don’t feel like going out in the evening!

Alpine Chalet Whistler

Alpine Chalet Whistler

Whistler Resort boasts the purpose-built Alpine Chalet that offers European-style hospitality with afternoon cookies and cake for apres-activities! Nothing has been forgotten at this lovely inn … internet access, spa services …

Sun Lodge

Sun Lodge, Sun Peaks

In Sun Peaks there’s the Sun Lodge, a true ski in/out b&b that’s great for families, with the added benefit of a Japanese restaurant for those evenings in!

Compass Tours can create reasonably-priced custom packages that include any combination of accommodation with air and/or ground transportation, lift tickets, rentals, lessons, winter and summer activities, golf … even dinner reservations! We can also add on a night or two in Vancouver, host of the 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games!

Contact us today for more information about your next trip to Whistler, Sun Peaks or Panorama!

Temporary Foreign Worker Program To Expand

Thursday, December 6th, 2007

It was announced recently that the Canadian Temporary Foreign Worker program is set to expand over the next weeks and months.

The program has already been broadened to include hospitality and tourism workers, which specifically addresses issues that affect resort destinations such as Whistler, Sun Peaks, and Panorama, and is to be further widened to include other trades. No specifics have been made public yet, though.

Temporary Foreign Worker

The idea is to ensure a better supply of qualified workers not only for the immediate future as the population ages, but also to cover the demands of Vancouver and the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic & Paralymic Games.

In addition, Human Resources and Social Development Minister, Monte Solberg, has advised that the Canadian Working Holiday Visa system is also being reassessed with a view to possibly including the UK, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan.

So, if you’re interested in working in Canada temporarily, be sure to keep an eye on the Immigration Canada website.

Good luck!