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42 INTERVAL WORLD ■ Fall 2015
slopes. The alpine ambiance permeates Fairmont, whether guests
choose to spa the day away in the natural hot pools, explore the
local scenery (namely the magical hoodoo rock formations), or take
a guided snowshoe tour.
Transitioning from Fairmont’s gentle rollers to Kimberley Alpine
Resort’s intermediate runs is a natural progression, and for riders
who’d like an even bigger shift, Kimberley has glades and plenty of
steeps back in the Black Forest. This also is a great place for Nordic
skiers, with one of the largest trail systems in the region. (Bonus:
The cross-country tracks are lighted and available for night skiing.)
I even managed to save a little energy for a few turns around
Kimberley’s outdoor ice rink. After all, ice-skating is a requisite
undertaking for any winter visit to Canada. My plan was to make a
few leisurely laps and then retire for the evening. But a fun-loving group
of folks caught my attention. I’ve skated my entire life, but I had never
curled. And it didn’t take long for my curiosity to get the better of me.
Curling may look a little zany, sweeping the ice to alter the direc-
tion and pace of a large granite stone. Turns out, it’s a lot harder
than it looks. Take it from me, though, trying to place the “rock” from
hack (starting block) to house (target area) also proves a blast.
Panorama’s Elkhorn Cabin holds nothing on Kimberley’s
Old Bauernhaus, a 350-year-old log home that was imported
stick by stick
from Germany.
The restaurant,
located a few
minutes from the
ski resort, fea-
tures a menu
rich in schnitzel and spätzle, pilsners and schnapps. I dove right in
to their Bavarian Feast, beginning with baked Brie and crowned
with a pair of schnitzels among other traditional fare.
Head of the Class
The skier’s crescendo reaches its perfect pitch just a bit more than
two hours south of Radium Hot Springs at Fernie Alpine Resort, a
2,500-plus-acre area that holds its own among the premier ski hills
in western North America. Simply put, you haven’t skied in western
Canada until you’ve notched Fernie in your belt.
And when you do, you’ll most likely discover some of the finest
powder pockets around. Though it hadn’t snowed for three days,
we found plenty of still-fresh stashes, especially when we dropped
into Currie Bowl. Back at the Griz Bar, the base saloon named after
the mythical local character who, according to legend, is to thank
Mark Eleven Photography/Resorts of the Canadian Rockies/SKIRCR; Theo Allofs/Corbis/Glow Images
Ski Sojourn
Make an exchange or buy a Getaway at
The Getaway price is valid December 1, 2015, through February 29, 2016.
Wrap up a day on the slopes
at Kimberley Alpine Resort
with a toast to Old Man Winter.
FACING PAGE: Winter is a
great time to spot wildlife in
the Canadian Rockies —
maybe even an elusive lynx.