34 - Sunday, November 18 , 1990 — North Shore News TRAVEL Okanagan resorts a short drive away KELOWNA — Okanagan ski resorts are now a lot closer to Vancouver since the opening of the Co- quihalla Connector High- way. Drive time from Vancouver to Kelowna, for example, is now less than four hours, which makes a weekend at Big White, Silver Star or Apex Alpine much more ap- pealing. While less formidable than Whistler or Blackcomb, where day tickets this year are $38, Interior ski resorts run around $30 or less and accommodation is generally cheaper. They offer a good mix of ter- rain, including many tough runs -—- Panorama,:for example, has hosted World Cups — and an at- tractive weather pattern with crisp, sunny days and light, dry snow, Things have’ been happening at Big White. A second high-speed quad chair has just been installed, the Silver Bullet, which, with a length of 5,800 ft. and vertical of 1,300 ft., will be almost identical to the Ridge Rocket, installed last year. A_ new daylodge has also been built at the foot of the Ridge Rocket. It has ticket sales, lockers, restaurants, fireplace and a big deck to catch the Okanagan sun. With a mountain base of 5,450 ft., a village around the 5,800 level, and mountain peak of 7,606 ft., skiers enjoy good snow condi- tions from mid-November to mid-April. Big White enjoys steep Alpine bowls, wide open glades and tree- lined runs — 47 in all over 700 acres. There are also 15 miles of cross-country ski trails, including some from the village giving the option of easier downhill routes with a free uphill return via the chairlift. Lift tickets are $30. Room rates start at $47 a night per couple, with lift tickets discounted at $27 for both day and night skiing. Tod Mountain, near- Kamloops, has an impressive 3,100 ft. of ver- tical drop with 47 runs to suit all types of skiers. Got a greup? There’s a lodge on the mountain which does bed and breakfast for 32 at a total cost of $650 weekends and holi- days and $550 midweek. Tickets are $28. At Silver Star, near Vernon, a new quad chairlift is part of a $10 million investment, the main park- ing Jot has been paved, the aquat- ic centre renovated, there is a new recreational vehicle area with hook-ups, and a real caboose has found its final resting place in the Kids Country play area. The new Knoll quad chairlift will service a new begin- ner/intermediate area that tops off in the second phase of the Knoll subdivision. Leading off David Wishart TRAVEL TIPS from it is a series of runs that take skiers down to the Aberdeen lift. Skiers can get five nights at the Silver Lode Inn for $270 per per- son, double, including five lift tickets (regular $30). Apex Alpine, near Penticton, is promoting value for money and family fun with a three-day ski, and accommodation package starting at $123 midweek. New this season is a seven-mile international standard cross-coun- try system starting right in the village. Skier visits were up 40 per cent last season following a change in ownership and improvements in snow grooming. Grooming should be even better this season with the arrival of two Prinoth snow groomers from Ita- ly, and new runs have been cut for a total of 36. Apex Alpine has 2,000 ft. of vertical. An adult lift ticket will be $27.10, and try to remember the dime. ° WHISTLER RESORT MOUNTAINSIDE (4* LODGE -Y EARLY BIRD SPECIAL From $138 per person double From $128 per person quad Includes: 2 day Blackcomb lifts & 2 nights deluxe accommodation. Kitchen units, whirl tubs, EP. pool, jacuzzi. Easy walk to lift Valid until Dec. 20 Reserve now! For Reservations Call Vancouver Area 681-6710 Others 1-800-777-8135 3383 Mone Drive, West Vancouver V7V 4K9 CARIBBEAN - 7 DAYS MEXICO - 7 DAYS Air from Va: GAmIBBEAN XMAS - 10 DAYS MEXICO - : 40 "DAYS Air from Vancouver 2 FOR 1 EUROPE Cruise only from $895 usb fom $824usp fom $4850usp from $4225usp fom $4470usp The businesses below have generously offered to act as depots for donations. Donations by cheque can be made directly to: The North Van Christmas Bureau West Van Santa Claus Fund Box 86081 . Box 9114 North Vancouver. BC. V7L 4J5 West Vancouver, BC. V7V 3N3 Stood Sis Seash All three donations may be made ai: North Shore Credit Union Lonsdale Quay Market 1100 Lonsdale 1247 Ross 123 Carrie Cates Court- 1080 Marine Dr. 3131 Edgemont North Shore News 399 N. Dollarton Park Royal South ~ 1139 Lonsdale Ave. S food Non-perishable food items only. Please give before December 15. NORTH VANCOUVER Capilano Suspension Bridge 3735 Capilano Road Grouse Mountain 6400 Nancy Greene Way North Shore Winter Club 1325 Keith Road NX. District Municipal Halt 355 West Queens WEST VANCOUVER Pharmasave Windsor Meats Caulfeild Village 1810 Marine Drive Stong’s Dundarave Woodward's Foods 2491 Marine Drive Park Royal North oS toys Please drop off any new or nearly new toys to any firehall on the North Shore. Toys should be clean and in good condition. Save-On-Foods Park & Tilford Stong’s 415 Dollarton Hwy. Lynn Valley Centre Sussex Realty 2996 Lonsdale A Shade Better 1705 Marine Drive Beaver Luynber 915 West ist Buy Low Foods 730 West 14th THE VOICE OF NORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER ‘north shore: For more information: North Van Christmas Bureau 984-9627 West Van Santa Claus Fund 922-4537, 922-6522 after Dec. 3 SUNDAY * WEDNESDAY ° FRIDAY