Page 46 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

214 5 MORE SKI RESORTS TO RIVAL WHISTLER

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES

People lining up for the ski lift on a snow-covered mountain slope at
Voss resort, Norway
Voss

NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Voss is in the heart of the
spectacular fjord country of southern Norway
SKIABLE AREA 24 miles (40 km) /BSWJL
of marked runs, a good range of /PSUI
backcountry and a network of 4FB
48&%&/
cross-country ski trails
SEASON Nov–Apr 5SPOEIFJN Skiing through glorious powder past a stand of snow-covered trees,
Record Ridge, Red Mountain Ski Resort, Canada
/038":
ACCESSIBILITY
Good road access and the 7044 0TMP
Bergen-Oslo train stops Red Mountain
in town
NEED TO KNOW
Voss is a relatively small resort, but there’s enough discover the exact line again. So blessed with
here to occupy anyone for a week. The mix of LOCATION Red Mountain is in perfect lines is Red Mountain, that it’s easy to
southern British Columbia (BC), above
downhill runs accessed by the cute red cable car the former mining town of Rossland believe the story.
from the center of the town is surprisingly varied SKIABLE AREA The hill sits perfectly with the resort’s satellite
and offers sublime sunset views across the 3 sq miles (7 sq km) $ "/"%" town of Rossland, a characterful old gold-mining
region’s pastel-shaded whaleback mountains, SEASON Nov–Apr town populated by equally colorful characters.
which have a real “call of the wild” feel about ACCESSIBILITY 7BODPVWFS 3&% .06/5"*/ The hill is slowly being developed, but there has
Vancouver is 8 hours 0UUBXB
them. There is also a vast network of cross- away by road and 4QPLBOF 5PSPOUP been a genuine effort on behalf of the owners
country trails emanating from the town. Calgary 6. The nearest airports are at 6 4 " to maintain its old-school feel.
Spokane in Washington and Kelowna, BC
As well as skiing, visitors can also enjoy a Although growing in popularity, Red
spectacular winter rail journey to the shores of Mountain is still an overlooked destination. If you
mighty Sognefjord. With so much to do, you Red Mountain is something of a testing ground – want a challenge and like to wallow in knee-deep
won’t easily get bored at this lakeside resort. say you’ve skied here and your coolness powder, a skiing trip here is a must.
coefficient rises exponentially (no need to
mention the fact that you fell down the steep
Practical Information Practical Information
slope and bounced off the trees).
Getting There and Around There are regular trains to and from Bergen Getting There and Around The most convenient access is from Spokane
(approximately 1 hour) and Oslo (5–6 hours). Road access from Bergen is Along with its steeps and, more especially its International Airport, which is about 2½ hours south. There’s a shuttle
also good in all but the worst weather. trees, Red is also famous for the lavish helpings of service from Rossland.
When to Go Nov–Apr. It is possible to ski after this but lift access may not British Columbian powder that it gets. There’s an When to Go Nov–Apr. February is the busiest. It’s quite feasible to ski well
be available. apocryphal tale of the local who once found the after April if you don’t mind hiking up the mountain.
Website www.visitvoss.no perfect tree run here, but was never able to Website www.redresort.com

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