VANCOUVER DAY TRIP RECOMMENDATION FROM GEOQWEST EXCURSIONS LTD.

GeoQwest Excursions Ltd.
British Columbia's Overland Safari Specialists

As of 2004, our insurance company is unwilling to cover this service. As a result this tour has been cancelled.

British Columbia Ski Safari! A 7 Hill in 8 Day Ski Marathon!
Why ski one when you can ski them all!

This tour is unique in British Columbia. Where most ski trips ask you to decide what hill you wish to ski, GeoQwest offers a sampling of 7 of British Columbia's best kept secrets. Whistler, Blackcomb, Big White and other big resorts offer great skiing. But there's more to world class skiing than big advertising budgets!

This trip is a personalized ski safari through south central British Columbia that by passes the big hills to present to you the challenging terrain and charming atmosphere of these smaller but outstanding ski centers.

Apex Alpine - Penticton
Red Mountain - Rossland
Whitewater - Nelson
Kimberley - Kimberley
Kicking Horse - Golden
Powder Springs - Revelstoke
Silver Star - Vernon
This tour is designed for the skier who may have already done the big hills and big crowds and is looking for a more personalized ski and travel experience.

We save you the headache and stress of driving between hills, guide you on the mountain and tour you through the towns that host these resorts. Ski hard all day then relax after the lifts close and enjoy the security of travel to your next destination in our Ford Excursion.

Your tour guide is an advanced skier who knows the mountains and is both a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol and a Professional Ski Patroller. Our personalized guiding will take you to those special runs known only to the locals for the best skiing in BC.

Let the Journey Begin!

Day 1. Kelowna to Apex Alpine, Penticton.
Day 2. Travel through the Monashees.
Day 3. Red Mountain, Rossland.
Day 4. Whitewater, Nelson.
Day 5. Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kimberley.
Day 6. Kicking Horse, Golden.
Day 7. Powder Springs, Revelstoke.
Day 8. Silver Star. Vernon.
Departure Dates and Rate

Day 1: Early Morning departure from Kelowna to Apex Alpine, Penticton.
"Best Small Destination Resort" - Ski Canada Magazine.
Truely World Class Terrain and an Emerging Jewel of a Village.

Apex Alpine Resort
Vertical Drop: 2,000ft
Terrain mix: 16% Novice 48% Intermediate 36% Advance/Expert
No. of trails: 67 No. of lifts: 5 (Including one high-speed quad chairlift)
Special Amenities: Skiing terrain park, night skiing, outdoor hot tubs, outdoor hockey/skating rink, 1 km adventure ice skating loop (maintained and lit).
Average Snowfall: 600cm (19ft)

Overnight at the base of the hill at Saddleback Lodge:
The charm of a log house with warm hospitality of the owners, John and Bard Davis.
Voted "Canada's Best New Lodging 2000" - Ski Canada Magazine.

Day 2: A travel day...off to the Kootenays!
10 AM departure from Apex Alpine to Historic Rossland.. Relax as you travel in the comfort and security of our Four Wheel Drive Ford Excursion. A non-rushed trip across the Monashee Mountain range with stops along the way wherever we see something interesting. Our afternoon arrival in Rossland will allow you to wander through the friendly shops in this special alpine town.

Overnight at the full service Uplander Hotel in the heart of charming Rossland: Historic Mining Center of BC. Historic Buildings and true alpine charm.

Day 3: Red Mountain, Rossland.
Big Terrain without Big Attitude.

Vertical: 880m / 2900'
Snowfall: 700cm / 300"
Terrain: 1200 acres
Runs: 83
Beginner: 10% Intermediate: 45% Advanced: 45%

Afternoon drive and Overnight in Nelson at the the waterfront Prestige Inn.

Day 4: Whitewater Resort, Nelson.
Ski Canada has rated Whitewater to have the Best Deeps, Best Bowls and Best Glades.
Unbelievable Interior Powder...40 feet of it!
Whitewater: Summit

Average Snowfall: 1200 cm/40 feet!
Lodge Base elevation: 1640 metres/5400 feet
Summit elevation: 2040 metres/6700 feet
Ymir Peak: 2400 metres/8000 feet
Vertical Drop: 396 metres/1300 feet
2 double Chair lifts (Silver King and Summit), 1 handle tow (The Hummer).
Slope Rating: - 20% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 40% Advanced.

Afternoon drive to stay in Kimberley at the new Residence Inn Trickle Creek by Marriott.
A full service ski out suite hotel.

Day 5: Kimberley Ski Hill, Kimberley.
British Columbia's Skiing Secret...for now.
Kimberley Alpine Ski Resort

Top Elevation: 6,500 ft / 1,982 m
Base Elevation: 4,035 ft / 1,230 m
Vertical Rise 2,465 ft / 751 m
Skiable Acres: 1,800 acres
Longest Run: 3.97 mi/6.4 km
Number of Lifts: 9 Lifts
North Star Express: High Speed Quad. Rosa: Triple Chair. Easter: Triple Chair. Tamarack: Double. Buckhorn: Double. Maverick: T-Bar. Owl: T-Bar. Owlette: Magic Carpet
Number of Runs: 67 (Plus Glades)
Ski Terrain: 20% Beginner 45% Intermediate 35% Advanced

Afternoon drive and overnight in Golden at the Prestige Inn.
4.5 Star full service hotel 10 minutes from the Hill.

Day 6: Kicking Horse Resort, Golden.
Live the Adventure...Live the Dream
Western Canada's Brand New Resort!

Peak Elevation: 2,450 metres / 8033 feet.
Vertical Drop: 1,260 metres/4,133 feet...
the second highest in Canada.
Slope Ratings: 64 Runs: 20% Beginner, 45% Intermediate, 35% Advanced to Expert.
Average Snowfall: 275"/ 700 cm. at the summit

We travel to Revelstoke and give your wallet a break by staying at the Powder Springs Inn.
Economy rates with deluxe hotel features.

Day 7: Powder Springs, Revelstoke.
Day 7...A little wobbly after 5 hills? Give your legs a rest on Powder Springs 1000 foot vertical or crank it up to do some Cat Skiing!

Peak Elevation: 2,450 metres / 8033 feet.
3500 ft runs
One Double Chair, 1 Handle tow
Slope Ratings:
Average Snowfall: 275"/ 700 cm. at the summit

Cat Skiing available to the Summit above Powder Springs runs.

Afternoon drive and Overnight at Vernon's Prestige Inn.

Day 8: Silver Star Vernon. Famous Okanagan Powder
Best Weather, Best Family Skiing and Best Village Base.

Area: 2725 Skiable Acres.
Elevations:Top 1915m (6,280 ft.) Bottom 1155m (3,780 ft.) Village 1609m (5,280 ft.)
Vertical Drop: 760m (2,500 ft.)
Average Snowfall: Over 700 cm (23 ft) annually
Lifts:12 lifts including: 1 Six Pack Express, 1 Detachable Quads, 1 Fixed Grip Quad, 2 Double Chairs, 3 T-Bars, 2 - 80 ft "Magic Carpet" and 2 Tube Lifts
Total Uphill Capacity: 14,700 skiers/boarders per hour
Runs: 107 marked downhill trails. 20% Easiest, 50% More Difficult, 20% Most Difficult, 10% Extreme. Longest run 8 kms (5 miles)

Back to Kelowna in the evening.

Tour Dates for the 2004 Season.
Some substitution of hills and recommended hotels may be in order due to snow conditions, changes in opening/closing dates and hotel availability. GeoQwest reserves the right to make suitable alternative arrangements.

# of Seats
Available
7 1 - Monday January 5. Return to Kelowna evening of January 12
7 2 - Monday February 2. Return to Kelowna evening of February 9.
7 3 - Monday March 1. Return to Kelowna evening of March 8.
7 4 - Monday April 1. Return to Kelowna evening of April 8.
7 5 - Monday April 12. Return to Kelowna evening of April 19.

Ski Trip Rates.
All prices in Canadian Dollars. (Check current exchange rates)

7 Resorts Transportation, Lift Passes, On-Hill Guiding and resort town orientation:
$1199 + GSTax. (min. 4 clients required per trip).

Accommodation is at additional cost in order to give our clients flexibility in accomodation style. We recommend the listed accommodations based on quality and value.
Our small group size allows us flexibility in accommodation. Have you found a special lodge, B&B or hotel at the resort or town on the net? Feel free to book it and we'll deliver you to the door. Some resort towns host a range of accommodation from Hostels to B&B's to more exclusive hotels. Please feel free to discuss with us your preferences and we'll deliver you to your choice of accommodation.

An Estimate of Total Cost Per Person: $2399 (Canadian Dollars) per person + appropriate taxes.
($1199 (Transportation, Lift Passes and Guide) + $750 (Room, 7 nights) + $450 (Meals))

Booking Policy

We Turn Tourists into Travelers, Travelers into Adventurers, Adventurers into Explorers.