Here & There: It’s all downhill from here

My mother was a brilliant skier. So she started me out when I was about 4. I suppose she wanted me ready to tag along.

There was a sloping field behind our house, so my 4-year-old self thought it would be a good idea to lug my skis up the rise, then apply my new skills to schuss home.

Trouble was, I got so tired bearing my burden, I would just give up, snap on my skis and resign myself to poling back over the flat part of the field.

So skiing didn’t seem all that much fun back then. A helicopter would have made all the difference with that hill, though. If only I’d known about British Columbia’s Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

They’ve put together a “Powder Dream Package” with five nights’ accommodations on the mountain, three days of “lift-serviced” skiing and – here’s the kicker – one day at Purcell Helicopter Skiing in Golden.

They’ll fly you into the Purcells, the mountain range just west of the resort, in search of great powder. The package comes with three runs but you can add on more for $77 each.

The whole experience starts at $1,275 Canadian, based on double occupancy. Find out more at www.kickinghorseresort.com or (250) 439-5424.

While we’re on the subject, British Columbia has even more skiing ideas they hope you’ll like.

From Jan. 4 to 6, Red Mountain Resort hosts Kirsty Exner’s “Women’s Freeride Camp.” According to the information Red Mountain sent me, the camp answers a burning need: “Every woman who’s ever been provided a ski lesson by a well-meaning boyfriend or husband knows it can be a recipe for disaster.”

So the Freeride Camp is manned by female coaches with expertise in skiing, telemarking or snowboarding. The camp runs $289 Canadian for a Friday night wine and cheese social, a full day of skiing on Saturday along with lunch in the lodge, an “overview” at the end of the day (assuaged by appetizers and probably more wine), then Sunday skiing, followed by prizes.

Get additional information by visiting www.redresort.com or calling (800) 663-0105.

Christmas in B.C.

Victoria’s in a celebratory mood, and they’d like you to join them.

The Festival of Trees Tour and Tea, marking the 100th anniversary of the Fairmont Empress Hotel, runs through Jan. 7. The tour shows off dozens of Christmas trees adorning the hotel’s hallways, then wraps up with the Empress’ customary afternoon tea.

To make reservations for the $49 (Canadian) tour, call (250) 995-4688. Or try www.fairmont.com.

The seasonal cheer continues with the seventh annual Oak Bay Christmas Festival, kicking off today. The city’s buildings and lampposts are all dressed up with thousands of lights, many of them energy-efficient LEDs.

The Parade of Lighted Trucks takes to the streets on Dec. 1, followed by the Sea of Lights Parade of Lighted Boats on Dec. 7. Learn more at www.oakbaytourism.com.

More decorations are on display at Craigdarroch Castle. All done up in Victorian style from Dec. 2 to Jan. 5, the castle – built in the 1890s by a coal baron – welcomes visitors interested in seasonal music, storytelling and children’s activities.

There’s more at www.thecastle.ca or (250) 592-5323.

Finally, Victoria’s Christmas Walking Tours will introduce you to the history of the holiday in what they call British Columbia’s “most haunted city.”

The 90-minute walk focuses on stories of the supernatural at Christmastime, including the legend of Christmas Hill, the ghosts of Helmcken Alley, the first documented ghost sighting during Christmas 1861 and the Christmas Eve 1890 assassination on the steps of the cathedral.

All this spookiness comes at a price: $11.75 Canadian for adults, less for seniors, students and children. You can get further details at www.discoverthepast.com or (250) 384-6698.

Regional events

“Cowboy Christmas Ball, Dec. 1, Big Sky, Mont. The town kicks off its holiday season with this annual event. Expect live music, a buffet and raffle. (www.visitmt.com, 800-943-4111)

“Holiday Candlelight Tours of Lewis and Clark Caverns, Dec. 15-30, Whitehall, Mont. This two-hour, two-mile excursion promises to show you how the cave looked when the original explorers first ventured in. (www.visitmt.com, 406-287-3541)

“Fort Steele’s Winter Sleigh Ride Day, Dec. 29, Nelson, B.C. Here’s your chance to bundle up and let the horses do all the work. Afterwards, enjoy hot dogs, marshmallows, bonfires, crafts and carols. (www.discovernelson.com, 250-417-6000)