Ski + City Breaks in North America
Karen A, May 2024
When you travel transatlantic sometimes you want to feel like you’re getting more than ‘just a ski holiday’. There’s lots of great cities in the USA and Canada that make an easy stopover at the beginning or end of your ski holiday – but you can also enhance your trip with something a little different too. Here’s some ideas to get the most out of your next North American ski holiday:
1. Vancouver - Gateway to the Pacific
You literally drive through the city centre to get between Vancouver airport and Whistler, so it’s a perfect place to spend a few nights without any extra effort. It’s a vibrant city with a great restaurant scene. You can take in a concert, a hockey match, go to the theatre, or you can check out craft breweries and art galleries. Floatplane tours of the bay are an amazing experience, and you can also use it as a launch spot for a longer adventure to Vancouver Island.
Top Tip:
Hire a bike and cycle round Stanley Park. The views are stunning!
Stay:
The Fairmont Waterfront: this is one of four Fairmont Hotels in the city and I know we’re not supposed to have favourites... but this is mine! A1 location, stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and even some pet bees who harvest nectar from the rooftop gardens to make honey for your breakfast!
> Works well with: Whistler, Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Big White, Revelstoke
2. Vancouver Island - "It's the size of Wales, you know"
Harbour Air seaplane landing in the Victoria Inner Harbour
Hire a car from Vancouver and take the ferry over to experience this beautiful and diverse island. There’s the rugged beaches and wilderness of Tofino; the arty and free-spirited Gulf Steam Island communities; and the genteel garden city of Victoria. If time is short you can do a day trip to Victoria from Vancouver – fly one way and take the ferry back.
Top Tip:
Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress is a must - and combined with a visit to Butchart Gardens you’ve got a pretty great day out!
Stay:
The Wickaninnish Inn Is a spectacular 5-star hotel in Tofino with views over the Pacific and delicious seafood.
> Works well with Sun Peaks, Silver Star, Big White, Revelstoke
3. Montréal - French & Canadian Melting Pot
Old Montréal © Destination Canada
Montréal’s a real mix of culture and combines the best of Canada with the best of France. Expect excellent food; fun bars and tonnes of subterranean shopping. It gets cold here in the winter so there’s a network of tunnels over 32km long serving a whole underground city. Embrace your inner mole and go explore!
Top Tip:
The Biodome is a unique space with the five ecosystems of the Americas under one roof. Part botanical garden, part nature walk: this is an immersive experience to savour.
Stay:
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth is conveniently located by the central station so is a great place from which to explore overground and underground.
> Works well with: Tremblant
4. Toronto - Canada's Biggest City
Photo by Marcin Skalij on Unsplash
Toronto is on the shores of the massive Lake Ontario and offers everything you’d expect from a big city in terms of shopping, sporting events and nightlife. You can also take a train to Niagara Falls for a fabulous day out – winter is an amazing time to see it; or go for a cruise on the lake (ice permitting!). There’s also fabulous wine made in this region and you can take a tour to some of the nearby vineyards.
Top Tip:
The CN Tower is classed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. It’s not inexpensive to go up there, so for better value, book a table at the 360 revolving restaurant and you get access to the observation deck thrown in.
Stay:
The Fairmont Royal York Hotel is ideally placed next to Union Station and 2 blocks walk from the CN Tower and the lakefront
> Works well with: any Canadian destination – particularly if you’re using the direct Air Canada Edinburgh – Toronto service as a gateway.
5. Denver - The Mile High City
Photo by Logan Bonjean on Unsplash
Denver is a buzzing vibrant city with a compact downtown area and a great dining scene. It’s also home to American football, hockey and baseball teams and a hub for concerts and culture in the Midwest. There’s some great museums and galleries to explore as well as great shopping. It’s also a mile above sea level so it’s a great idea to spend a night or two here before going onto your high altitude ski resort to give your body a chance to adjust.
Top Tip:
Go check out the RiNo craft breweries and urban art. You can grab a map and go DIY or book a tour. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Stay:
The Limelight Denver is in an ideal location right by the train station with a link direct to the airport terminal. It has a laidback vibe and stylish accommodation.
> Works well with: Breckenridge, Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Steamboat, Mammoth
6. Utah National Parks: Rugged and Wild
Copyright © 2016, by Matt Hage
Winter is a great time to visit the National Parks of Utah. The low angle of the sun, lack of crowds and moderate temperatures make for a really special experience. With a rental car you can put together a nice trip taking in Zion, Arches and Capiton Reefs Parks. See here for a great customer review.
Top tip:
Make a plan but keep timings a bit flexible. There’s lots of hidden gems you might stumble on. That and snacks! Bring snacks – a lot of shops and restaurants aren’t open in the winter months.
Stay:
Depending on what you want to see we can recommend a few different hotels and lodges along the route.
> Works well with: any USA or Canadian destination as a stopover.
7. New York - the Big Apple
Photo by Caitlyn Wilson on Unsplash
Winter in New York is pretty special: skating in Central Park; Christmas at The Plaza; hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts by a roaring fire. Clichés? Yes. Worth doing? Absolutely yes! You’ll also find tourist sites quieter than summer, and without the oppressive heat and humidity it’s much more pleasant.
Top tip:
Rooftop bars aren’t just for summer. Check out ‘The Ready Rooftop’ at the Moxy Easy Village which has a retractable roof and a very cool vibe.
Stay:
The Thompson Central Park Hotel is conveniently located and has stylish comfortable rooms and a great jazz bar.
> Works well with: any USA or Canadian destination as a stopover.
8. California: Sun, Sea and Sand
Photo by Kimberly Sterling on Unsplash
San Francisco is at its best in the winter months when there’s less fog; Los Angeles enjoys a pleasant year round climate so you can build some beach time into your ski trip; Yosemite is quiet and spectacularly scenic in the winter. California is so vast that there’s bound to be something that appeals, from beaches, to wine country; from National Parks to Disneyland.
Top Tip:
Scenic State Highway One runs the entire length of the Californian Coast and hugs the coast for most of the way. The views are spectacular!
Stay:
The Hotel Zephyr in San Francisco is in a nice spot near Fishermans Wharf – where you can easily take city tours from or visit Alcatraz.
> Works well with: Mammoth and Lake Tahoe (Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe) in particular, but can be arranged from other US destinations too.
9. Las Vegas - 24-hour Sin City
Perched in the middle of the Nevada desert, Las Vegas is unapologetically loud, brash, and kitsch. It’s also tremendous fun! Even if the casinos hold no appeal, the spectacle of the lights and the sense of excitement will draw you in. Take in a show; spend some time walking along the Strip. Sure, some of it is a bit seedy, but a lot of it is just bonkers... and very impressive.
Top Tip:
Get out of the city and take a scenic flight over the Grand Canyon, or rent a car and drive up to Death Valley.
Stay:
The Bellagio is iconic and centrally located on the strip. An ideal place to explore from.
> Works well with: Mammoth or as a stopover with any USA destination.
For a dose of sightseeing before or after your North American ski holiday, get in touch with us today for a tailor-made quotation.
Submit an enquiry online or call us on 0131 243 8097