Going downhill

LOOKING for new terrain this ski season? Whether close to Jasper at beloved Marmot Basin in Alberta or discovering a "secret" hill in Terrace, B.C., we have the insider tips you need to plan your winter downhill getaway.

Go polar at Fernie

The new Polar Peak lift takes skiers to the very top of Fernie's spectacular, powdery terrain, bringing the resort's vertical to 3,550 vertical feet.

"The Polar Peak lift is an incredible addition to the legendary Fernie experience," says Matt Mosteller, the resort's vice-president of marketing and sales. "This lift will provide spectacular views of peaks, valleys and lakes from Lake Koocanusa in the southwest to the spine of the Canadian Rockies looking up the Elk Valley all the way into Kananaskis Country/Banff National Park. Polar Peak Lift is taking lift-access skiing and riding to the next level, putting Fernie at the top of any skier's and rider's bucket list."

Seek new terrain

Take the new 500-metre traverse trail to Feuz Bowl on Kicking Horse's Redemption Ridge. This groomed trail allows easier access to classic Kicking Horse terrain, along with opening the spectacular scenery of Feuz Bowl to skiers who prefer to explore the mountain on groomed trails.

From the same traverse trail, the grooming team will be exploring additional grooming options on the south-facing Crystal Bowl side of Redemption Ridge. This new project will help provide fresh grooming options from the top of the Stairway to Heaven chairlift into two alpine bowls. Get ready for exciting new options.

Marmot debuts fun features

The new location of the Rogers Terrain Park at Jasper's Marmot Basin (skimarmot.com) is bigger and better and includes 15 fun features to get creative on. Think 30-foot and 40-foot tabletops, a battleship rail, a 20-foot rainbow rail, a picnic table and beginner boxes.

Heli-skiing takes you higher

Bearpaw Heli-skiing is open for business. Located one hour's drive from Prince George, B.C., the new operation is the child of Kevin Taylor and Amber Shipley, who also build custom log homes. A lodge will house guests who can partake in private heli-skiing (five- or six-day packages). This means that you and three other guests, plus two professional ACMG ski guides, will be floating over runs that range from 500 to 1,400 metres. The highest peak tops out at 3,041 metres and the tenure size is 499,989 hectares. Let your imagination run wild.

Ultimate road trip

Ready to take on a 2,600-kilometre round-trip odyssey? Prince George. B.C., is just slightly north in comparison to Edmonton. Pack up your powder skis and road trip goodies and head to Jasper to start off with a warm-up at Marmot Basin. Then head on to Prince George and try Purden (purden.com/ski/wintersetup.html), Tabor (tabormountain.com), and Powder King (powderking.com). If your legs aren't screaming (or even if they are), continue to Hudson Bay Mountain (hudsonbaymountain.com/homepage) in Smithers and end the trip in Terrace at Shames Mountain (friendsofshames.ca). Shames is a "secret" location used by the ski film industry -- including Matchstick Productions -- because it has tons of snow and a huge, beckoning backcountry.

Sweet deals on the slopes

Sunshine/Marmot: Try a Sunshine Marmot card to save on lift passes. At $84.95 plus GST, the card gets you free skiing or riding on your first, fourth and seventh visits to either of these Alberta resorts. Looking ahead to the glories of spring skiing, a double discount applies in May; $26 off every time you ski/ride at these resorts. So mix it up a bit and see what Banff and Jasper have to offer.

-- Postmedia News

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 21, 2012 D5