Frequently Asked Questions
Can you compare for me the difference between the B.C. Interior ski fields to Australian/NZ ski fields?
Put simply the snow is outstanding. It is consistent, in quality, regularity and volume with large ski areas and all this available when Australians have more available holiday time, in our summer!
Generally the runs are wider, certainly longer and more of them. The resorts provide good variation for skier experience and a balance of groomed through to virgin powder areas, glade skiing and ski in/ski out terrain. Ski Tours Canada preferred resorts each have a variety of blue, green, black and double black diamond runs. High-speed chairlifts dominate, and T bars are very rare.
High winds are not common however still, very cold days can be a surprise the first time you experience them. It is very rare that you would find ice on the Okanagan trails and snow-making is virtually unheard of considering the plentiful natural falls. You will notice the trees immediately, a complete contrast to the Australian gums and also a strong North American feel of log buildings and local wild life.
Finally one thing you may miss is long ski lines, just joking. It can be popular in the week from Christmas to New Years Day. As January is the most convenient time for Australians to visit it is not holiday time for Canadians or Americans so mid week in particular you will be astonished by the apparent lack of skiers. This is the situation till late February when the North American “Presidents Week” and ‘Spring Break” season starts. Generally the lift facilities are excellent and delays are not an issue.
Can you provide details of our embassies in the USA?
In the United States of America, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Embassy of Australia
1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036-2273
Telephone: 1 202 797 3000
Facsimile: 1 202 797 3331
Consular jurisdiction: Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
Australian Consulate-General
Atlanta Financial Center, Suite 1140
3353 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
Telephone: 1 404 760 3400
Facsimile: 1 404 760 3401
Consular jurisdiction: For Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Australian Consulate-General
123 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1330
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Telephone: 1 312 419 1480
Facsimile: 1 312 419 1499
Consular jurisdiction: Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
Australian Consulate-General
Penthouse, 1000 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Telephone: 1 808 524 5050
Facsimile: 1 808 531 5142
Consular jurisdiction: Hawaii and Alaska.
Australian Consulate-General
2029 Century Park East, 31st Floor
Los Angeles, California 90067
Telephone: 1 310 229 4800
Facsimile: 1 310 277 3462
Consular jurisdiction: Arizona, southern California, Colorado, New Mexico, southern Nevada and Utah.
Australian Consulate-General
150 East 42nd Street, 34th Floor
New York, New York 10017-5612
Telephone: 1 212 351 6500
Facsimile: 1 212 351 6501
Consular jurisdiction: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
Australian Consulate-General
575 Market Street, Suite 1800
San Francisco, California 94105
Telephone: 1 415 536 1970
Facsimile: 1 415 536 1982
Consular jurisdiction: Northern California, Idaho, Montana, northern Nevada, Oregon, Washington State and Wyoming.
Outside business hours, callers from the United States may contact the Consular Emergency Centre in Australia toll-free by dialling 1 888 239 3501. You do not need to dial the international prefix, 0011, for this call.
If you are travelling to the Unites States of America, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the Embassy you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Can you tell me more about the new Air Canada non stop service from Australia to Vancouver?
Air Canada is one of our preferred airline partners and the new daily direct non-stop service from Sydney to Vancouver is expected to be in high demand from Australian travellers. We have a range or earlybird airfares now available for 2007-08. Click here for more details and seating plans on the aircraft.
Can you tell me the key Public Holiday dates in Canada?
Important dates are:
2007
Jul 01 Canada Day
Nov 21 Big White & Silver Star Ski Resorts open
Nov 22 US Thanksgiving
Dec 21 Last day of Canadian schools prior to Xmas
2008
Jan 21 US Holiday - Martin Luther King Jnr Day
Jan 26 Australia Day
Feb 18 US Holiday - Presidents Day
Mar 23 Easter Sunday
Apr 05 Last day of season - Silver Star, Big White
I've heard the snow in the British Columbia Interior is really quite different to other resorts in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Is that so?
It really is the "The" snow! When you visit the interior you'll find out what fine dry snow has to offer over what you may be used to. The Okanagan Valley has a unique microclimate and the resorts are blessed with huge annual snowfalls. For example, Big White's average collection is 7.5 metres (24 feet) of dry natural champagne powder per year. It's the sort of snow that makes average skiers and boarders look, and feel, like stars. You'll feel the difference in the velvet softness of the powder and the smoothness of the groomed runs. It's so dry you can hardly pack a snowball, and it's not uncommon for flakes to be the size of a small piece of tissue paper. Being dry and cold they don't melt quickly when they fall on your jacket. The comfortable daytime temperatures average -3 C (27 F), and this is cold enough to keep the snow light and fluffy, yet perfect for skiing, riding the chairs, cross country skiing and other winter activities.
If I'm coming for at least 2 weeks would you recommend I stay in one resort or move around the region?
This is really a personal preference and Ski Tours Canada is well positioned to provide you all the information and advice to assist you make the right decision. For some a complete cut-off at one resort for two or more weeks is just the tonic to relax and refresh after a long and busy year. For others experiencing two or three resorts provides the colour and diversity they are seeking. Let us assist you.
What are the limitations for carry on luggage allowances with Qantas to USA and Canada?
This information has been sourced from www.qantas.com.au and is subject to change and we recommend you also check directly with specific airlines directly.
Travel to and from Canada
Transport Canada has instructed all airlines to apply new security measures for flights into and out of Canada.Transport Canada has advised they are enforcing a limit of one carry on bag per passenger. This restriction also applies to any passenger transiting within the US.
Additionally, customers are limited on the amount of liquids/gels/pastes they are permitted to take as carry on baggage. Customers are permitted to carry 1 clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 litre) size plastic bag containing liquids, gels and/or aerosols in containers of 3.3oz (100ml) capacity or less per container. The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the plastic bag must be completely closed/sealed. This bag must be presented separately for screening.
Qantas recommends liquids in excess of this allowance be placed in checked baggage before progressing to check-in. This includes (but is not limited to) the following items:
- duty free purchases obtained before the security check point inspections,
- beverages (including duty free purchases),
- shampoos,
- suntan lotions,
- creams,
- toothpastes,
- hair gel, hair spray or other items of a similar consistency.
Excluded from the measures are baby formula or juice if a baby or small child is travelling. Prescription medicine and non-prescription medicine is allowed provided the passenger can demonstrate a bona fide need for these items.
Customers travelling to and from Canada may purchase duty free after Immigration and the primary screening point. It must be presented upon boarding in the duty free bag with the receipt clearly visible. Passengers clearing US Customs at Vancouver may purchase duty free items, but must transfer any goods that do not meet the carry on baggage restrictions to their checked baggage before proceeding through passenger screening.
Customers travelling to Canada with connecting flights are advised that any duty free, including those purchased inflight, must be placed in your checked baggage after clearing Customs and Immigration. If this is not possible, do not buy duty free goods on board. Any purchases made on board and carried in hand baggage will be confiscated at transfer points.
Passengers may be subjected to a pat down inspection and their accessible property may be inspected at the boarding gate before departure.
Travel to and from the USA
The United States Department of Homeland Security has instructed all airlines to apply new security measures for flights from the United States and into the United States from Australia and New Zealand.
Passengers may only carry on one bag plus a personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or similar, per passenger. Medical assistance items (crutches, wheelchairs etc) are exempt from this requirement. These are strictly enforced at all airport security checkpoints and on board departing Qantas flights. Note: this new limitation only impacts on the allowance for First and Business Class customers. Economy Class limits are unaffected.
Customers are limited on the amount of liquids/gels/pastes they are permitted to take as carry on baggage. Customers are permitted to carry 1 clear transparent resealable 1 quart (1 litre) size plastic bag containing liquids, gels and/or aerosols in containers of 3.3oz (100ml) capacity or less per container. The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and the plastic bag must be completely closed/sealed. This bag must be presented separately for screening.
Qantas recommends liquids in excess of this allowance be placed in checked baggage before progressing to check-in. This includes (but is not limited to) the following items:
- duty free purchases obtained before the security check point inspections,
- beverages (including duty free purchases),
- shampoos,
- suntan lotions,
- creams,
- toothpastes,
- hair gel, hair spray or other items of a similar consistency.
Excluded from the measures are baby formula or juice if a baby or small child is travelling. Prescription medicine and non-prescription medicine is allowed provided the passenger can demonstrate a bona fide need for these items.
Customers travelling to the US may purchase duty free after Immigration and the primary screening point, provided it is delivered by the Duty Free concessionaire/Qantas Group representative to the aerobridge (post gate security). Customers transiting through Auckland en route to the US, however, should not purchase duty free in Australia. Duty free purchases must be made at Auckland Airport transit area or inflight from Auckland to Los Angeles.
Customers travelling to the US with connecting flights are advised that any duty free purchased inflight must be placed in your checked baggage after clearing Customs and Immigration. If this is not possible, do not buy duty free goods on board. Any purchases made on board and carried in hand baggage will be confiscated at transfer points.
Customers travelling from the US may purchase duty free after Immigration and the primary screening point. It must be presented upon boarding in the duty free bag with the receipt clearly visible.
Customers travelling from the US with connecting flights are advised any duty free purchased inflight must be placed in your checked baggage after clearing Customs and Immigration. If this is not possible, do not buy duty free goods on board. Any purchases made on board and carried in hand baggage will be confiscated at transfer points.
Passengers may be subjected to a pat down inspection and their accessible property may be inspected at the boarding gate before departure.
For latest updates pease also refer to Qantas:
http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/baggageCarryOnCountry
What are the rules regarding taking liquids, aerosols and gels through secutiry onto international flights?
Effective 31 March 2007 new rules regarding carry on luggage will be enforced due to heightened security regulations. Click here for AFTA guidelines.
With a young family, we are really looking for accommodation that is close to everything. What do you really mean by ski in/ski out, as I've been caught out before where you still have a significant walk or have to catch a shuttle.
Big White Ski Resort is Canada's largest totally ski in/ski out resort village. Whistler Blackcomb, Sun Peaks Resort, Silver Star Mountain Resort and Fernie Alpine Resort all offer ski in/ski out convenience. We have a preferred selection of fine hotels, luxury town homes, condominium apartments, mountain chalets, log cabins. Budget units and hostels are also available. Of course, some accommodation will be better positioned than others, but the team here at Ski Tours Canada know these resorts and can assist you in selecting the best location for your needs
