Ski the uncrowded slopes of the Canadian Rockies

Are you in the mood to play in lots of snow?

If you’re ready, there’s a spot that just about guarantees the white stuff and it’s a destination you’ve probably never heard of before. It’s Cranbrook - with a town motto of: Heart and Soul of the Kootenay Rockies.

Where? The Rocky Mountains of British Columbia.

Cranbrook is recorded to have the most hours of sunshine of any city in BC. And because it’s dry and cold most of the year, precipitation is typically snow.

Vail it’s not. There’s nothing over the top here as far as fancy boutiques and expensive restaurants and resorts go. The draw is for the snow - and lots of it - and uncrowded slopes. The city sits in the midst of three ski resorts - Fernie, Panorama and Kimberley.

Fernie gets about 28 feet of snow a year and is legendary for its powder skiing and over 2,500 acres of glades and bowls. http://www.skifernie.com

The highlight of the Panorama Mountain Village is the chance to experience the largest heli-ski region in the world, http://www.panoramaresort.com. And don’t think you have to be an expert. Moderate/Intermediate skiers can go with a group and a certified professional mountain guide on a full day adventure with breakfast, three mountain descents on top rental equipment (included), and a picnic lunch. Afterward you’ll get a pin and a certificate to prove you did it! RK Helsinki puts together the entire package for $690 per person (it’s one of those trips-of-a-lifetime), http://www.rkhelsinki.com

The Kimberly Alpine Resort’s longest run is four miles and a nice blend of 79 other runs with 20 percent for beginners; 42 percent for intermediate skiers and 38 advanced. The resort also offers a number of ski-in, ski-out places to stay. And apres-ski activities range from taking a moonlight mountaintop snowshoe fondue tour to visiting the town of Kimberley, known as the “Bavarian City of the Rockies”. It’s here you’ll find shopping and dining in the quaint German-themed Platzl. http://www.skikimberley.com

Delta Air Lines will begin service to Cranbrook via Salt Lake City. Cranbrook is located about 20 minutes to the three ski resorts - starting on Dec. 17 and through April 5, 2009 - the last day of seasonal flight service.

Give a 21-day or more advance purchase notice for a special one-way rate of $153, or $189.65 inclusive of all taxes, fees. Book by Dec. 31.

Other one-way rates with a 14-day notice are $269.65, inclusive.

Since Cranbrook (airport code YXC) isn’t a household name among ATL skiers - yet - this could be an ideal time to try to redeem some of those frequent flyer miles to get out to British Columbia. Try it.

http://www.delta.com

More savings: More money-saving tips at Your Money.