Olympic Getaways

If Olympic fever has you hankering for a bit of snow and your kids yearning to try a new winter sport, escape the crowds for a couple of days to one of the winter resorts within a four-hour drive from here. We found some options to suit every family’s needs with plenty of outdoor activities to offer your budding Olympians.

Four-Hour Drive
Sun Peaks Resort is so excited about the Olympics that from February 12–28, it is offering kids ‘2010 Sun Peaks Games’ programming. All events are free, but guests must be registered for them. Most include a medal ceremony and hot chocolate. Sun Peaks has a great resort-style village, lots of ski-in, ski-out accommodations and terrain for all skier levels. When the kids are done with the hill, check out all the activities offered at the resort like the tube park, kids snowmobiling, ice-skating, snowshoe marshmallow roast and horse-drawn sleigh rides. 
Good to Know: As a bonus for parents, a full selection of child-minding and children’s programs are available.

Three-Hour Drive
Manning Park, the Provincial Park Resort Lodge and pre-Games host to the Russian Olympic Ski Team (a fun stat to share on the ride there), offers lots of outdoor winter fun with both downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing, outdoor skating (well-lit for evening play, with hockey skates and helmets available for rent) and even tobogganing for those who bring their own. Come prepared to dine out at the Lodge restaurant.
Good to Know: Each room has a microwave and a mini-fridge, but not a full kitchen. Child-minding is only offered on weekends but kids’ ski-and-ride lesson packages are available daily.

Two-Hour Drive
For a more rustic family ski area, Hemlock Valley is a great close-to-home option, especially if you live east of the city. From February 4 to March 15, the resort is open 7 days a week, but the best days to visit are Thursdays to Sundays when all lifts are running, and night skiing, tubing and snowshoeing are operating, too. With a season pass from a North Shore mountain or Whistler, Hemlock is offering a “$20.10 Shenanigans” rate until March 15, and as a bonus on Thursdays, women ski free and Tiny Tots (2–5 year olds) lessons are 25% off.
Good to Know: There is no child-minding for children under 2 years.

So, put that Olympic enthusiasm to task, and choose the getaway that is just right your family.

P.S. If you can’t get away, check out two of the local hills with normal winter operations: Grouse is open 24/7 during the Olympics and complimentary tickets for the next day of skiing are available after 2 pm. Mount Seymour is operating business as usual.

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