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Resort Height: 1140m

Panorama Mountain Village, located in the Purcell Mountains, is an intimate resort that will appeal to those looking for a big mountain to ski, but without the big mountain crowds that descend on many of the world’s other leading ski areas. The resort has one of the largest vertical descents in North America, and fast quad chairlifts give access to the summit and over 120 trails, including former heli-ski terrain in Taynton Bowl. Panorama is owned and operated by Intrawest, which is most famous for Panorama’s fellow BC resort and 2010 Olympic venue, Whistler, as well as running a dozen other ski areas in North America and Europe.

Panorama has an excellent snowfall record and is confident enough of its reliability to host FIS Alpine Ski World Cup races in late November each season, before most resorts even think about opening let alone of being ready to hold the highest level of racing.

Beginners

Beginners have great novice terrain that’s easy to access from your accommodation. The Bilodeau School of Skiing and Snowboarding, owned and operated by Don Bilodeau and his family Heather, Stuart and Hanna, is considered one of the finest in North America and will take good care of you. For beginner and novice skiers the school has patented their MagicTrax method to get first-timers skiing quickly and confidently on green then slightly steeper blue runs. Magic Trax learning skis are available at the Panorama Rental Shop.

Intermediates

With nearly 3000 acres of terrain encompassing many long cruisers groomed to perfection, Panorama will satisfy all intermediate ability skiers. Trails are up to five-and-a-half kilometres (three –and-a-half miles) long, the longest being "Never Never Land" in Taynton Bowl. The best thing to do at the start of your stay is to sign up for a free mountain tour, so you can see Panorama Mountain the way the locals do. Volunteer ‘ Mountain Friends’ are friendly local folk who know all the best terrain and are willing to show you where to get the best turns. Meet them at the yellow Mountain Friend sign at the base of the hill daily at 10am and 1:30pm. Night skiing is also available, served by the Toby Chair.

Advanced

Panorama has a good range of challenging skiing for expert skiers. The formerly helicopter accessed 700 acre Taynton Bowl is a powder heaven. The Extreme Dream Zone is the place for adrenalin-junkies looking for steep and deep snow terrain and a third popular area is Sun Bowl.

Panorama is particularly well set up to cater for women skiers and boarders. The Ladies Giant Slalom and Slalom World Cup events are held on Hay Fever and Old Timer. Early in 2008 the resort hosted Bettygohard, a women’s progressive action sports community that organizes weekend retreats aiming to inspire and increase confidence. The focus of these getaways is on having fun and meeting new friends with common interests.

Flying from the heart of Panorama Mountain Village, RK Heliski has launched Heli Skiing for Women, which includes an introduction to heli-skiing on the slopes of Panorama with the School of Skiing and Snowboarding, followed by a day of heliskiing, a wine and cheese reception, an interactive cooking class / dinner with Chef Roderick Strike, a private massage therapist, and two scrumptious dinners prepared by their private chef. Heliskiing is, of course, open to all and there are more than 1500 square miles of terrain to explore in the Selkirks and at the edge of the famous Bugaboos.

Snowboarding

With a selection of features that range in magnitude and style, Panorama’s terrain parks accommodate freestyle riders of all abilities. Running the entire length of Powder Trail, the main terrain park has over a kilometre (two-thirds of a mile) of features divided into the upper rail park and the lower jump park. Experts riding the length of the run can hit up to 12 features, including six to fifteen metre (twenty to fifty feet) kickers in the lower jump park. For novice riders, the upper rail park has plenty of rails, boxes, and small jumps to hone their skills before venturing into more advanced terrain that requires getting air. In the Hoggsflats Park, riders will find a small rail yard and halfpipe, both of which stay open until 9pm at weekends.

Other Activities and Facilities

Panorama offers a host of guest activities, including a dog sledding program. Two-hour tours allow guests to familiarize themselves with the dogs and learn the basics of mushing. Interested participants are encouraged to drive the team home themselves! The tour can also be booked as a snowmobile/dog sledding combo. Ice fishing and sleigh rides are amongst the other options.

SolSpa in the Pine Inn offers a wide variety of treatments such as relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, cranio sacral therapy, body wraps, hot stone massage, mud treatments, reflexology, manicures, pedicures and more. It also offers a selection of body care products, including hand-made soaps, lotions, and facial products. All products are from Canadian companies, using nothing but natural ingredients made with the finest attention.

Après Ski and Dining Out

There are about a dozen places in which to eat, drink and be merry at Panorama. At the traditional Jackpine pub you’ll find beer on tap, darts and a pool table, and the T-Bar & Grill is another popular watering hole. The resort also organises evening entertainments on a weekly basis including film nights, campfire get- togethers and a game show contest.

Dining options range from take-out provided by Mile High Pizza to a range of high calibre establishments. The Wildfire Rustic Grill for example offers casual and contemporary cuisine and Greys Restaurant is an award-winning fine dining establishment.

Groups of eight to 30 people can take the last lift of the day up to the Summit restaurant on top of Panorama Mountain for a traditional cheese or tender beef (in broth) fondue, with chocolate fondue desert.

Families

Panorama’s ‘Wee Wascals’ accepts children aged 18 months and up for non-ski nursery cover at a location beside the Pine Inn Hotel. Kids Night Out is also organized where children aged five to twelve enjoy a fun evening of games, crafts and movies.

On-the-snow lessons can begin from age three or four with the special Snowbirds programme which can be integrated in to nursery provision. Older children aged five to 14 can join Adventure Camp for skiers and, from age eight, for the snowboard version. Teenagers who are “too cool for school” can sign up for Teen Extreme classes (just don’t tell them this is still actually ski school…)

Ski/Board Suitability Guide

Suitable for families:	[No]
Suitable for beginners:	[0]
Suitable for intermediate skiers:	[0]
Suitable for advanced skiers:	[0]
Suitable for boarders skiers:	[0]

Accommodation in Panorama

• Panorama Springs - 4 star, self catering
• Panorama Springs - 4 star, self catering
• Panorama Springs - 4 star, self catering
• Pine Inn - 3 star, room only
• Toby Creek - 3 star, self catering
• Toby Creek - 3 star, self catering

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