Canada Ski Resorts Among The Best Of The Best

The results are in and Canada makes a strong and compelling showing on the international ski scene. Five of Canada's ski resorts made Conde Nast Traveler's Top 20 Ski Destinations in the world. This fact doesn't surprise Canadians, who have always known that skiing in Canada is a cut above the rest.

The poll was Conde Nast Traveler's 13th annual ranking of world-class ski resorts. Whistler-Blackcomb, a regular on the list, ranked number one on the 2008 poll. It has long been known as the best Canadian ski resort. Now it appears to have swept the international list too.

Whistler-Blackcomb will play host to many of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games' events. This fact is a testament to the resort's ability to compete with the world's best ski resorts. It is the official Alpine skiing venue for the Vancouver 2010 games.

It has already held several pre-Olympic races and events, with more to come leading up to the Games. Local tourism officials and business owners are thrilled with the attention the 2010 Olympic Games have already brought to Whistler-Blackcomb. They expect a banner season next year as the Games draw ever closer.

Sun Peaks Resort in Kamloops, British Columbia blasted onto Conde Nast's 2008 list, taking 10th place overall. It also makes it the second best in Canada. This Canadian Ski Resort is relatively new by some world standards and has Olympic ties. Former Canadian Olympic skiing champion Nancy Greene is the resort's director of skiing. Greene, a major investor and developer of the resort is pleased to see Sun Peaks getting the recognition it deserves.

Other Canadian ski resorts to make the 2008 were Mont Tremblant resort in Quebec (no. 12), Big White in Kelowna, British Columbia and Lake Louise in Alberta (tie for no. 16). This strong showing for skiing in Canada will likely continue to boost winter tourism for the rest of the 2008/2009 ski season.

Lake Louise, like Whistler-Blackcomb, frequently makes a strong showing on the international ski scene. Nestled deep in the Canadian Rockies, it boasts some of the world's most breathtaking scenery. This Canadian ski resort will play home to a number of pre-Olympic events and races beginning in December 2009. It's pristine snow and quality runs make it a force to be contended with on the international ski scene.

Fortunately for these as well as Canada's other popular ski resorts, it's been a banner year for snow. The ski season is expected to extend well into spring this year. Powder quality has been excellent at many of these locations. Those who were fortunate enough to obtain season passes for the 2008-2009 ski season have gotten their money's worth and then some.

The wintry weather isn't the only thing that makes Canada ski holidays in the spring appealing. The weak Canadian dollar means that visitors from other countries can get more bang for their ski buck. The Canadian dollar has been languishing at just under 80 cents U.S. for several weeks. That translates to an extra 20 percent for American visitors.

Many tourism experts agree that a nod from Conde Nast Traveler is a significant endorsement. Over 32,000 readers, many well-versed in travel, voted in the 2008 ski poll. Thanks to their knowledge, the enthusiasm of Canadians and the impending winter Olympic Games, Canadian ski resorts are bracing for a healthy end to the 2009 ski season. They're also gearing up for a stellar 2009/2010 ski year.