Free skiing at Red

There's no catch. If you're kicking around BC this week, turn up at Red Mountain on Friday 22 December and just ask for your free lift ticket.

That's right - the mountain will be handing out complimentary lift tickets to all skiers and riders for one day only. Ski and snowboard instructors will also be on hand to offer tips. Lifts will be open from 9am to 3pm.

If you're hanging around over Christmas, join Santa for a run on Christmas Day. Meet him at the Paradise Lodge.

Photo credit: Red Mountain Resort

Huge dump forecast for Whistler

OK folks, get yourself a flight out to Canada. Zoom, Air Canada, BA, whoever - find a seat. Whistler is expecting 65-110cm of fresh stuff over the next few days.

While the Alps have been basking in balmy 20-degree temperatures, the epic start to Whistler's season keeps going and going. To top it off, the new Symphony Express chair opens on Whistler this Saturday (16 December), providing access to over 1,000 acres of terrain.

If you're in Whistler this week, you can win a golden ticket for a seat on one of the first chairs. All you need to do is find an orchestra conductor (wearing a black tux) on Whistler mountain and ask for a Symphony Express golden ticket. As I write, there are nine tickets left.

Map credit: Whistler Blackcomb

More Canada openings

November's record snowfall in western Canada has brought legendary opening day conditions for yet more resorts.

Red opened on 1 December, followed a day later by fellow BC resort Kicking Horse. The latter's 350cm+ snow accumulation meant the mountain opened two weeks ahead of schedule, though it will open on weekends only until 15 December.

Meanwhile, across the provincial border in Alberta, Canada Olympic Park in Calgary was forced to close for three days at the end of November after icy conditions swept through the city.

You might not imagine there's much skiing in Manitoba, but the prairie province received a welcome 15-25 cm the other day and Asessippi ski area plans to open on 8 December.

And for those 'back east' in Ontario, Horseshoe Resort near Barrie opens on 6 December.

Photo credit: Red Mountain Resort