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In Awe of Chamonix

The vastness of France’s iconic mountain destination was the perfect fit for another Ski Canada Readers’ Trip. STORY AND PHOTOS BY IAIN MacMILLAN in December 2015 issue Our group of nine stands like soldiers listening to our mountain guide, instructor and drill sergeant Eric bark out orders. With arms flailing, he gesticulates toward the massive … More »

A Celebration of Groomers

Everyone knows it but few like to admit it: the largest group of skiers is also the least sexy—the on-piste gang. I had a pretty typical teenage skier bedroom growing up, with walls adorned in heroic posters of The Kaiser and Stenmark in between the Crazy Canucks. The inspiration racing had on all skiers back then … More »

Helicopter Parenting

I found a whole new way to rationalize a heli-ski holiday: use one of your kids! “It’s tough to tell your wife you’re off to Wiegele World for another week with the guys,” admitted my new American friend Ted to me sheepishly while slurping down a steaming bowl of hearty beef-barley soup. “She was never … More »

5 Reasons to Love Verbier

Ski Canada readers discovered first-hand why Verbier is one of the iconic resorts of the Alps. _By IAIN MacMILLAN    Photos YVES GARNEAU If he went down there—and headed west…” said Yves, his voice trailing off as we both scanned the vast alpine scene of imposing jagged peaks, blue glaciers and enormous valleys below us, “well, he’s gone.” … More »

Own Your Own

“The whole ski area could be yours for less than a cabin at Whistler!” It happens often when I tell someone where I work. The brain-wheels start clicking, the eyes brighten and suddenly a flood of excited anecdotes starts pouring out about my new friend’s ski trip last winter. Buddy’s best crash-and-burn story or big-air … More »

MacMillan’s Top 20

Editor Iain

“we all know that when things don’t go well, it’s our equipment’s fault.” The other day my friend Jennifer was asking me how often I sharpen my poles. Okay, so her concerned voice might have had something to do with my earlier mock admonishment over her never sharpening her poles—which, of course, would affect her … More »

Welcome to the Club

As North American skiers patiently await news on when Club Med will return to the continent, the iconic French holiday company was busy last December opening its latest four-trident village in Val Thorens, France. Les Trois Vallées, the largest resort in the Alps with 600 km of pistes, begins just outside the ski-room door. With guests … More »

Lotschental – Hidden Valley

Switzerland’s Lötschental is the quintessential off-the-beaten-track destination for curious skiers.  Tschäggättä — you know the party is going to be good if the name starts with four consonants and includes three umlauts. Well, technically it’s not a party, the Tschäggättä are ghoulish furry beings with over-the-top demonic wooden masks preying on unsuspecting women and children … More »

What’s in your pack?

‘‘Is there something in here you want to show me? ’’ The bored face at airport security in Kelowna suddenly brightened as my backpack went through the X-ray machine. As the only person in the queue, I thought it was obvious that the offending bag was mine but I guess I was asked out of routine. … More »

What’s in a name?

I’m so mad at my buddy Christopher. He’s president at Sun Peaks and you’d think he’d appreciate my offer to name a few runs on the new terrain that’s opening as the ink on this issue dries, but after I made some suggestions, he said they’re all spoken for. I gave him some of my … More »

In Awe of Chamonix

The vastness of France’s iconic mountain destination was the perfect fit for another Ski Canada Readers’ Trip. STORY AND PHOTOS BY IAIN MacMILLAN in December 2015 issue Our group of nine stands like soldiers listening to our mountain guide, instructor and drill sergeant Eric bark out orders. With arms flailing, he gesticulates toward the massive … More »

A Celebration of Groomers

Everyone knows it but few like to admit it: the largest group of skiers is also the least sexy—the on-piste gang. I had a pretty typical teenage skier bedroom growing up, with walls adorned in heroic posters of The Kaiser and Stenmark in between the Crazy Canucks. The inspiration racing had on all skiers back then … More »

Helicopter Parenting

I found a whole new way to rationalize a heli-ski holiday: use one of your kids! “It’s tough to tell your wife you’re off to Wiegele World for another week with the guys,” admitted my new American friend Ted to me sheepishly while slurping down a steaming bowl of hearty beef-barley soup. “She was never … More »

5 Reasons to Love Verbier

Ski Canada readers discovered first-hand why Verbier is one of the iconic resorts of the Alps. _By IAIN MacMILLAN    Photos YVES GARNEAU If he went down there—and headed west…” said Yves, his voice trailing off as we both scanned the vast alpine scene of imposing jagged peaks, blue glaciers and enormous valleys below us, “well, he’s gone.” … More »

Own Your Own

“The whole ski area could be yours for less than a cabin at Whistler!” It happens often when I tell someone where I work. The brain-wheels start clicking, the eyes brighten and suddenly a flood of excited anecdotes starts pouring out about my new friend’s ski trip last winter. Buddy’s best crash-and-burn story or big-air … More »

MacMillan’s Top 20

Editor Iain

“we all know that when things don’t go well, it’s our equipment’s fault.” The other day my friend Jennifer was asking me how often I sharpen my poles. Okay, so her concerned voice might have had something to do with my earlier mock admonishment over her never sharpening her poles—which, of course, would affect her … More »

Welcome to the Club

As North American skiers patiently await news on when Club Med will return to the continent, the iconic French holiday company was busy last December opening its latest four-trident village in Val Thorens, France. Les Trois Vallées, the largest resort in the Alps with 600 km of pistes, begins just outside the ski-room door. With guests … More »

Lotschental – Hidden Valley

Switzerland’s Lötschental is the quintessential off-the-beaten-track destination for curious skiers.  Tschäggättä — you know the party is going to be good if the name starts with four consonants and includes three umlauts. Well, technically it’s not a party, the Tschäggättä are ghoulish furry beings with over-the-top demonic wooden masks preying on unsuspecting women and children … More »

What’s in your pack?

‘‘Is there something in here you want to show me? ’’ The bored face at airport security in Kelowna suddenly brightened as my backpack went through the X-ray machine. As the only person in the queue, I thought it was obvious that the offending bag was mine but I guess I was asked out of routine. … More »

What’s in a name?

I’m so mad at my buddy Christopher. He’s president at Sun Peaks and you’d think he’d appreciate my offer to name a few runs on the new terrain that’s opening as the ink on this issue dries, but after I made some suggestions, he said they’re all spoken for. I gave him some of my … More »

Subscribe and SAVE!

Just $5.00 an issue!

1 year (4 issues) for $20 + tax! Outside Canada is additional for postage.