A quiet moment in Sauble Beach.  Photo by cadmanof50’s on Flickr

We’ve just finished booking our cottage holiday in Sauble Beach, Ontario for this summer and are absolutely thrilled as we have found a fantastic 4 bedroom cottage just over the road from Sauble beach itself.  In the end we actually had a choice of two cottages, but proximity to the beach won out over a property that was located on Silver Lake and a ten minute walk to the main beach.

Ontario cottage rental websites

 If you are interested in renting a cottage in Ontario then here are a few sites that you can see what’s on offer:

www.clrm.ca

www.ontariocottages.com

www.cottagerental.com

www.northerncomfort.com

http://www.atthecottage.com

Where to rent a cottage in Ontario 

Ontario is a wonderful place to rent a cottage as there are so many options and places to stay.  On the Great Lakes, the two that have the best beaches are Lake Erie, with Turkey Point, Sherkston Beaches, Long Point and Port Dover.  On Lake Huron you are spoilt for choice with Sauble Beach, Wasaga Beach, Grand Bend, Bayfield, Owen Sound, Tobemory (a great freshwater diving spot) and there are other lovely towns all up and down the Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay.  These beaches are from 1 1/2 - 3 hours drive from Toronto so can make a great weekend break or a relaxing week long holiday in the middle of your holiday to Ontario.

Looking out over Chandos Lake in Ontario’s cottage country. Photo by Greg Gladman

Also in less than 3 hours from Toronto you have what is know as the thousand lakes district.  This area puts the UK Lake District to shame and there are literally thousands of lakes to choose from.  Most have cottages on them, but the beauty of this area is that usually each cottage is in a very private woodland setting so it literally feels like you are all alone in the wilderness.  The quality of the cottages vary, but you can easily rent a well equiped modern cottage for $1200 in summer months (about £600).  Once you’ve tried this type of cottage holiday, you will want to come back again and again.  The two main areas are the Mukokas and Haliburton and both are beautiful. 

What can you expect from an Ontario cottage for your money?

If you rent a cottage in the Muskokas or Haliburton, Your cottage is likely to have a dock which you can dive straight into the lake and most cottages will supply some water equipment, maybe even a canoe or kayak.  You should have a TV, dvd, fully equiped kitchen and bedrooms.  They will usually have a great deck overlooking the lake and BBQ.  Some will also have firepits, great for roasting marshmallows over an open fire with the kids.  There are cottages to fit any budget.  You can rent a cottage from $600 up to about $4000 at the very top end, but your average price for a nice cottage will run about $1200 - $2000. 

 For me, the best part of these cottage holidays is sitting on the deck in the evening, having a barbeque and watching the sun set over the lakes.  This type of holiday is pure relaxation and a truly great experience.

Lakeside wineries, white-shell beaches and waterfront gastro-pubs; zip trekking, mountain biking, and white water rafting — there are always plenty of reasons to visit British Columbia. And this year, you can add two more: the countdown to the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and British Columbia’s 150th Anniversary.

2008 is a big year for BC, with more than the usual level of buzz, excitement and festivities. Fortunately, there’s also expert travel advice available in the form of the 2008 BC Escapes guides written by BC insiders.

British Columbia Escapes 2008: Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler has details about where to stay, dine, shop, and celebrate in the province’s three best-known destinations, while British Columbia Escapes 2008: Adventures and Experiences Beyond Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler offers the inside scoop on BC’s six diverse regions.

Available free from Tourism BC, both guides cover the better-known attractions, as well as such hidden gems as Vancouver Island’s farm gate wineries and Northern BC’s historic First Nations sites. An important shift this year, Tourism British Columbia is offering consumers the option of requesting electronic versions of both BC Escapes and the Vacation Planner, an eco-friendly alternative to the print guides.

Sprinkled throughout both guides are Tips from the People Who Know Best, where BC residents reveal the places and experiences they normally share only with family and friends.

In the Vancouver, Victoria and Whistler guide, for example, they’ll tell you how to see whales on the way to Victoria, where the locals bike at Whistler, who has the best coffee in North Vancouver, and how to get behind the scenes at the Vancouver Aquarium.

Open a copy of Adventures and Experiences Beyond, and you’ll learn about kayaking with First Nations guides on the Sunshine Coast, getting up close and personal with buffalo in the Cariboo, and tracking down the best chai in the Kootenay Rockies.

It gets better: both guides also list dozens of great accommodation offers, detailed festival and event listings, and helpful web links.

Also just out from Tourism BC are the 2008 editions of the British Columbia Vacation Planner and the British Columbia Outdoor Adventure Guide. The Vacation Planner is an up-to-date primer on what to see and do across the province, from golf to wine tasting, shopping to wildlife viewing, in all regions of the province. The Adventure Guide is your key to BC’s great outdoors, with coordinates for hiking, kayaking, skiing, rock climbing, scuba diving and more.

Free, up-to-date specialized guides on golf, sport fishing, guest ranches, and First Nations tourism in BC, as well as detailed guides to each of the province’s six regions, are also available.

For free copies of these guides, or for your electronic guide alternative, call 1-877-673-4192 or click on www.HelloBC.com/travelbc.

Pack up the kids and start your journey north of Vancouver, along the Sea to Sky Highway.� One of the province�s most anticipated projects is the construction of the stunning new Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler Village, slated to open this summer.� The Centre will be one of the most visible - and permanent - legacies of First Nations Olympic involvement. Designed to reflect both a Squamish traditional Longhouse and a Lil’wat traditional Istken (earthen pithouse dwelling), the Centre will showcase the rich heritage and cultures past, present, and future of the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations. It will be a resource for local residents - and an attraction for visitors during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games - for many years to come. www.slcc.ca

And while families may have to wait a little longer for the Centre to open its doors, one attraction along the way will provide plenty of intrigue for Mom, Dad and all their little explorers.� The BC Museum of Mining, on the site of a large copper mine which began in 1904 at Britannia Beach, 38-kilometres north of Vancouver, proves impossible to miss.� The gleaming white 20-storey Mill beckons drivers off the highway which runs along stunning Howe Sound.
The Mill, which was constructed in 1923, is the largest museum �artifact� in Canada, but just a small part of the visit.
Visitors don hardhats and are first taken on a guided underground tour to hear about the mine that once yielded the most copper in the British Commonwealth. Sitting in a small underground train for part of the hour-long tour, guides explain the hard facts of early mining, where men risked their lives and limbs keeping the operation going.
At one point, the electricity that illuminates the tunnels is switched off and old-style lamps become the only illumination. It is an unforgettable, eerie moment that really brings home the darkness in which the miners worked. Heroic seems to be an understatement.
Today, the massive Mill remains an obvious focal point. Almost 18,800 panes of glass were replaced in 2005 and 2006, and rusting exterior siding has also been restored. For guests to the Mill, demonstrations of how gravity and a process called froth flotation was used to break apart the rock to get at the copper ore, gold and silver inside proves a highlight. The BC Museum of Mining is open year round. Tel: 1-800-896-4044. www.bcmuseumofmining.org.
For more museum fun, take the road trip over to Vancouver Island where celebrations for BC�s 150th have already begun.� Considered the king of museums, the Royal BC Museum is currently showcasing Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC, a five-part project set to capture the province�s collective heritage by telling the stories of its people.� Stories are told in a non-traditional, non-chronological fashion, utilizing text, photos, video and audio mediums.� The museum�s original exhibit features hundreds of rarely seen artifacts, specimens and documents from RBCM�s collections.� These include BC�s first printing press, First Nations artwork and clothing, train robber Bill Miner�s pistol and even a wig owned by Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, the province�s infamous �hanging judge.�� Beyond the celebrations, the RBCM has galleries that represent the breadth of the province�s history. From artist Bill Reid discussing the past of his people, the Haida, to a replica of the stern of the Discovery, the ship sailed by Captain George Vancouver, to the woolly mammoth and other natural wonders, this museum has something for everyone. The Royal BC Museum is open year round. Tel: 1-888-447-7977. www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca

See a museum stopover in your future? Here are some of the best of the rest:

Vancouver Island
BC Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan
This 40-hectare living museum has a 1930s logging camp and sawmill, complete with two blacksmith shops and school. Ride the rails through a mature second growth forest and over the trestle on Somenos Lake. Guided tours available. Open March to October. Tel: 1-866-715-1113. www.discoveryforest.com

Maritime Museum of BC, Victoria
Learn about BC�s seafaring connections � pirates, whaling, ship building and ship wrecks. See the Tilikum, a sailboat adapted from a First Nations canoe carved out of a single cedar log. It left Victoria in 1901 on an amazing journey across the Pacific and beyond, arriving in London, England in 1904. Open year round (except Christmas Day). Tel: 250-385-4222.� www.mmbc.bc.ca�

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Museum of Anthropology, Vancouver
Situated at the University of British Columbia, this renowned museum showcases cultural objects from around the world, with emphasis on the achievements and concerns of British Columbia�s First Nations and other communities.� Twice-daily free gallery walks and a host of special exhibits add depth to the experience. Open year round. Tel: 604-822-3825.� www.moa.ubc.ca

BC Sports Hall of Fame, Vancouver
Located in BC Place, the hall of fame celebrates the many BC sportsmen and women who have reached the top. The 20,000-sq-ft gallery explores the history of sport in the province from 1700. Those honoured include numerous BC Lions and Vancouver Canucks, along with Terry Fox, sprinting gold medallist Percy Williams and gymnast Lori Fung, and many more. Open year round. Tel: 604-687-5520. www.bcsportshalloffame.com

Thompson Okanagan
Nk�Mip Desert Cultural Centre, Osoyoos
Thousands of years of natural and Osoyoos Indian Band history are on display at this recently opened interpretive centre and outdoor village which highlights Canada�s largest desert eco-system. Meet rattlesnakes and participate in a nature walk or try interactive displays, then visit the nearby Nk�Mip wine cellars for lunch and a glass of Merlot.� Open year round. Tel: 1-888-495-8555. www.nkmipdesert.com

The BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop, Kelowna
Located inside a historic fruit packinghouse, the BC Wine Museum & VQA Wine Shop explores the history and passion of the province�s growing wine industry. Local Okanagan exhibits emphasize the rich viticulture history of the region, while the VQA Wine Shop completes the retail portion of the experience with daily wine tastings and education seminars. Open year round. Tel: 250-868-0441.� www.kelownamuseums.ca/bc-wine-museum

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
Museum of Cariboo, Chilcotin and BC Cowboys Hall of Fame, Williams Lake
There�s something about cowboys. BC�s ranching industry is older than the province itself and this museum illustrates how cattlemen and cowboys have played as big a role as forestry and fisheries. This museum is the only one in the province that focuses on ranching. Open year round. Tel: 250-392-7404. www.cowboy-museum.com

Barkerville Historic Town
It�s a bit of a drive, 88 km east of Quesnel, but like the prospectors who breathed life into the old town, visitors will find it worth the journey. As the largest historic site in BC, Barkerville dramatizes a historic lifestyle from the 1870s with its renovated buildings and actors portraying characters from the town. And don�t forget the gold panning� Open May to October. Tel: 1-888-994-3332. www.barkerville.ca

Kootenay Rockies
Fort Steele Heritage Town, Fort Steele
This family-friendly destination welcomes visitors to �explore yesterday, today.�� Indeed, a visit to the historic site assures a journey back to the 1890s with an overview of a day in the life of the town�s residents (think blacksmithing, gold panning and farming demos).� Train and wagon rides, museum exhibits and turn-of-the-century entertainment at the Wild Horse Theatre also prove a draw.� Open year round. Tel: 250-417-6000.� www.fortsteele.ca

Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, Cranbrook
With its collection of deluxe railway passenger cars, many considered to be of the finest caliber (dubbed deluxe hotels-on-wheels), the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel houses one of North America�s most noted railway heritage collections.� Cars showcase an array of designs through various eras of passenger car evolution and railway travel.� Open year round.� Tel: 250-489-3918.��� www.trainsdeluxe.com

Northern BC
Haida Gwaii Museum at Qay’llnagaay
This beautifully situated museum is located at the new Haida Heritage Centre in the Haida village of Skidegate, outside Queen Charlotte City. It holds many treasures of Haida art, architecture and history, including carvings by Bill Reid, who is buried in Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve. New galleries present the culture of the people who first inhabited these remote and hauntingly beautiful islands. Open year round. Tel: 250-559-7885. www.haidaheritagecentre.com

Alaska Highway House, Dawson Creek, Mile �0,� Alaska Highway
Alaska Highway House provides an archival re-telling of the blood, sweat and tears behind the monumental engineering task of the Alaska Highway construction.� Achieved in less than nine months, despite horrendous working conditions, this draw features photo illustrations, fixed displays (including a 1942 Willy Jeep), and original movie footage, a PBS DVD: The Building of the Alaska Highway.� An added bonus?� Guests can send friends and relatives an e-postcard from the centre. Open year round.�
Tel: 1-866-645-3022.�� www.tourismdawsoncreek.com

The Museum of Northern British Columbia, Prince Rupert
The Museum of Northern British Columbia is one of the best places in the province to see Northwest Coast First Nations art and artifacts; during the summer, Tsimshian, Haida, Nisga’a and Tlingit carvers demonstrate their craft.� May through September, seasonal programming including Museum tours, mask dancing, song and storytelling bring the history of the Northwest Coast region to life.� Open year round.� Tel: 250-624-3207. www.museumofnorthernbc.com

Whether it’s early British Columbians and their lives that draw you or it’s the natural history of one of the world’s most beautiful regions, BC’s exceptional museums take visitors on a voyage of discovery.� Everyone will come away with more than they went in with�whether it be knowledge, stories, or wonder at our very own homegrown treasures.

For more information on museums in BC, visit www.hellobc.com/museums.� For more on British Columbia�s destinations and travel information, call 1-800 HELLO BC� (North America) or visit www.HelloBC.com

Located just 2 hours driving time from Vancouver, Whistler is an ideal get-away-from-it-all retreat.� Usually associated with winter sports, tourists are now getting to know Whistler as a year-round destination, with golf courses, spas and activities for the entire family.
�
The original Whistler Mountain opened as a ski resort in the mid1960s; it now has 17 ski lifts to service over 100 ski runs down from the 7160 feet peak elevation mountain.� In 1980 Blackcomb Mountain opened.� This impressive mountain has 16 ski lifts, over 100 runs, and a peak elevation of 7494 feet.� It was Blackcomb Mountain which was to become awarded the title of the number 1 ski resort in North America by Skiing magazine and has retained this title for 2005.� Click here to find out more about what the media have to say about Whistler

Although the outdoors dominates Whistler, whether it’s fun in the snow with ski-ing, ice-climbing, snow mobiling, hiking, sleigh rides and glacier tours etc in winter or rafting, horseback riding, kayaking, wagon trails, golfing and bungee jumping in the summer, what are a couple of highlights in this lot, most spectacular for Whistler as opposed to anywhere� else- to name just a few of the adventure activities families can take part in - there’s something for those who need to take it easy and recharge their batteries.� Whistler is home to 11 spas. This is perfect place for anyone needing to relax and unwind, perhaps after an energetic day on the slopes,

In 2010,� Whistler, along with Vancouver, will play host to the Winter Olympic Games.� If you hope to travel to Whistler during that period, make sure you make your reservations early!

Despite being consistently on the “A” list of top ski resorts in North America, Whistler still maintains an unspoilt beauty in which to enjoy a huge array of activities catering to the whole family.�

The second annual Whistler WinterPRIDE festival wrapped this month to unanimous praise, a number of sold-out events and various rankings as the best gay ski week in the world.

WinterPRIDE 2008 - a winter version of the many summer pride events that are held around the world - ran from February 3-10, 2008. The event was attended by thousands of guests from around the world, including an increase in European and South American visitors. WinterPRIDE 2008 also succeeded in its mandate of reflecting the excitement and true diversity of the gay community by increasing the number of women in attendance.

“The energy and buzz of WinterPRIDE 2008 event was electric and the whole of Whistler village had a tremendous feel for the eight days of the event,” said Sean Kearns, President and CEO of GayWhistler and Alpenglow Productions - the event organizer. “We had several events sell out for the first time, including our comedy show, village t-dance and apr�s-ski parties.”

WinterPRIDE’s rapid growth and success was confirmed by it recently being awarded as the #1 Gay Ski Week in the World by Gay.com/PlanetOUT. The event was also ranked as the #1 Lesbian-Friendly Gay Ski Week in the World by OutTraveler.
Much of the success of WinterPRIDE 2008 was due to more than 120 festival volunteers who dedicated more than 1,200 hours and 174 ski guide shifts. The business community of Whistler and the event sponsors also deserve praise for providing WinterPRIDE 2008 with more than $19,000 worth of prizes for events, guests and volunteers.

“The commitment, dedication and passion of everyone involved with WinterPRIDE 2008 were truly taken to heart,” said Kearns. “We will continue to provide great value and fantastic experiences for our visitors, while breaking down the barriers of what can and can’t be done with a gay ski week event. The planning for Whistler’s WinterPRIDE 2009 starts now.”

Whistler’s WinterPRIDE 2009 will be held from February 1st to 8th.

www.gaywhistler.com

The Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival bursts into Banff May 30th and 31st, pairing an intoxicating food and wine event with the powerful landscape and pure alpine air of the surrounding peaks.

“After 11 years in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, it’s thrilling to finally launch in the Canadian Rockies,” says Cathy Miller, Festival Director. “People can make a weekend out of it, sample the best gourmet food, wine and spirits in the epicurean world, and truly relax in the mountains.”

The Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival’s ticket will get you into the Grand Tasting Hall at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. On Saturday the afternoon tasting goes from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the three-hour evening event starts at 7 p.m. Beginners, intermediates, and connoisseurs will have the rare opportunity to learn more about their favourites from industry experts, in a casual and social atmosphere.

Purchase sampling coupons to sip unique wines, rare ports, fine scotch, imported beer and other premium spirits. Nibble on fresh gourmet cuisine inspired from around the globe and created by award-winning chefs in Banff and Lake Louise.

“We’re seeing a lot of excitement from local restaurants and bars for the festival.” says Julie Canning, CEO and President of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. “People in the community are really rallying around the opportunity to showcase their best wine, food and fun, and many are planning to host individual events that weekend.”

Early-bird tickets go on sale in March at www.rockymountainwine.com where you’ll find updates on the weekend’s events and scheduling, as well as festival packages that include accommodations, entry and other perks. Tickets will be available at the door, but availability might be limited.

www.banfflakelouise.com

Niagara-on-the-Lake, long recognized as Wine Country, can now also be called Spa Country.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to 2 of the top 30 spas for 2007 according to Vancouver-based spa aficionado Spas of America. Vintage Hotels’ 100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post and Secret Garden Spa at Prince of Wales were among the most viewed spa listings on www.spasofamerica.com for the 2nd year in a row.

100 Fountain Spa ranked #1 for 2007, holding the #4 spot in 2006. Secret Garden Spa moved up to 5th in 2007 from 14th in 2006. Vintage Spas filled two of only six spots earned by Canadian spas on the prestigious Top 30 list.

A long-time favorite for locals and travelers alike, the sanctuary of Vintage Hotels’ two signature spas offers an idyllic retreat in the heart of Southern Ontario’s beautiful wine country. Secret Garden Spa is an oasis of serenity located in the intimate Prince of Wales hotel. Inspired by the classic English garden - lush, peaceful and beautifully designed, this spa provides the perfect blend of nature and nurture. The spa features state-of-the-art hydrotherapy and healing reflexology treatments as well as the ancient art of aromatherapy. The saltwater swimming pool and eleven treatment rooms, make every visit a journey of discovery.

100 Fountain Spa at Pillar and Post recently underwent an extensive transformation into a spa paradise like no other. A stunning reception area greets visitors in an environment that seamlessly blends classic and contemporary luxury. The luscious interior boasts a rich colour palette complemented by textural stone accents, soft trickling water features, and the warmth of elegant woodwork. Guests sit fireside in a plush spa lounge overlooking the outdoor hot springs as they await a wide range of aesthetic and body treatments.

A unique partnership between the New Brunswick Museum and Bay Ferries will continue this summer. Passengers on board the Princess of Acadia crossing between Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia will once again have the opportunity to learn more about the Bay of Fundy through an animation service provided by New Brunswick Museum staff.
This bilingual service will be offered daily on the 9 am trip to Digby and the 1 pm trip to Saint John, beginning June 26. Museum staff will use costumed characters, music, storytelling, artifacts and historic photographs to interpret key components of the Bay of Fundy’s natural and human history for passengers of all ages.

“The outstanding success of this program further supports our vision of creating unique onboard experiences that are enriching, educational, and memorable to consumers of all ages,” said Mark MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bay Ferries Limited. “We will continue to promote the Bay of Fundy as a destination and to offer our passengers an authentic East Coast experience.”

Director of the New Brunswick Museum, Jane Fullerton, commented, “The New Brunswick Museum is delighted to continue this successful partnership with Bay Ferries. Last summer we shared our knowledge and enthusiasm about the Bay of Fundy with over 8000 passengers, and subsequently welcomed some of them to the New Brunswick Museum to learn more. Passengers were thrilled to have the opportunity to discover more about the Bay while on board the Princess of Acadia, and we look forward to continuing to share its stories this summer.”

The animation service, developed by the New Brunswick Museum, will be fun and interactive, and designed to be enjoyed by all ages. Passengers will hear stories about marine life, geological formations, tides, First Peoples’ use of the Bay, historical settlements, shipbuilding, and fisheries. The service will be available seven days a week, including statutory holidays, from June 26 to September 1.

Alberta ski resorts are, without a doubt, some of the best in the world.� All over North America and Europe, there are problems going on with ski vacation resorts right now. Rising global temperatures seem to be cutting the ski season shorter and shorter, and low altitude ski resorts are going out of business right and left. As all this happens, however, Alberta ski resorts continue to thrive and prosper. I went to an Alberta ski resort, Sunshine Valley near Banff, this last year, and I was completely amazed. It was just like childhood. The entire place was covered with thick snow that fell the whole time I was there!

When I was growing up, the Alberta ski vacations were a sort of tradition among my family. We would go to Alberta ski resorts almost every single year. It was easy to do because we had an uncle who lived near Calgary, Alberta �in Canmore, up in the mountains, so many of the Rocky mountain ski resorts were an easy drive from his house. We would go to an Alberta ski resort around Christmas time and not come back home until after New Year’s. It was one of the best times of my life. I always loved skiing and snowboarding, and my family would encourage me to develop my skills to the utmost. When I was in those Alberta ski resorts, I felt like an Olympic skier in training!� Other ski resorts that we would visit in Alberta included Lake Louise which is also near Banff, Marmot Basin near Jasper and Hidden Valley.

In most Alberta ski resorts, it is all about the skiing. The best ones have classes for both beginners and advanced skiers, a variety of different slopes, and excellent accommodations. Luxury hotels abound in the Alberta rocky mountains, so if you are looking for an Albert ski resort that gives you something extra you should consider staying at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, or Chateau Lake Louise or Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Of course, there are also discount ski resorts� for people who are there primarily to ski. Some of these actually have� some very good slopes, although other ones are pretty mediocre. The best way to get into Alberta ski resorts is to have a local explain them to you. If you can’t find someone local to tell you about the different Alberta ski resorts, a vacation planner can probably do just as well.

Alberta ski resort listing:

http://www.skihiddenvalley.net/

http://www.skibanff.com/

http://www.skilouise.com/

http://www.skimarmot.com/

Slather on the zinc.� Break out your board.� It�s time to wrap a season of shredding with a host of cruise-worthy (and slopeside) pursuits.� Start the festivities in the southeast corner of the province during Kimberley Alpine Resort�s annual Spring Splash � an opportunity to soak up rays with some late-season powder, or fantastic spring corn. The festival, held March 29 and 30, features live music in the plaza, the famous “Lewzer Launch” dummy downhill race, and a tasty outdoor barbecue. Just one week later (April 5), head to Fernie Alpine Resort for its 23rd Powder Pedal Paddle Relay Race. Teams of one to five people ski, bike, paddle and run in a fun (yet competitive) relay. The race wraps with a celebratory dinner and party - an ideal d�nouement to another epic ski season.� On the same day, Silver Star Mountain Resort celebrates the season with old school flair during Retro Day.� It�s all about pink zinc oxide, purple Scheider stretch pants and those long, skinny Rossi 4SKs that still reside in your closet.� Post pants split (they just don�t fit like they used to), meet in the village at 4:00 pm for a (sure-to-be) memorable retro dance off.�

Nearby Big White Ski Resort calls it a season April 6 with special events throughout the weekend. Friday, it’s the 3rd Annual Film and Photo Contest, while the “Battle Royal Shop Challenge” in TELUS Park on Saturday pits the best riders from local ski and board shops against each other. Later that night, the photo-friendly Village Night Jam brings out the best in Okanagan skiers and snowboarders. It all wraps up on Sunday with the annual crowd-favourite Dummy Downhill.� Not to be outdone, the Royal Lepage/Comox Valley Snow to Surf Adventure Relay on Mount Washington, April 20, brings together various relay teams to partake in seven different sports, including alpine skiing, nordic skiing, trail running, mountain biking, kayaking, road biking, and canoeing. Needless to say, racers will get an eye-full of the Beaufort Mountains and the Gulf of Georgia on this scenic, challenging relay course (teams can enter in a multitude of categories).� A scenic end to a season on the slopes.� www.skikimberley.com; www.skifernie.com; www.skisilverstar.com; www.bigwhite.com; www.snowtosurf.com

Hotels in Kimberley, Hotels in Fernie