Thinking about replacing sand castles with snowmen this summer?

Since taking their baby steps on skis at Falls Creek in Victoria, Little Misses Six and Seven have honed their skills beyond Australia’s alps in New Zealand and most recently Canada. With the northern hemisphere winter fast approaching here’s a brief insight into two of British Columbia, Canada’s best family ski resorts.

 It was snowing and dark when we arrived at Big White. After our long flight from Australia (via LA and Seattle – and hour shuttle from Kelowna) comfy beds were foremost in our minds when we checked into our Stonebridge accommodation. But sleep wasn’t immediate as we paused to admire our self-contained, three-bedroom home for the next three days. Cosy just didn’t convey its rustic charm well enough – complete with a much dreamed-of fireplace, vintage ski decor and soft leather sofas to curl up on.  Hollers could be heard from the Little Misses bedroom when they found their log timber bunks and fun soft toy bear heads mounted hunter lodge-style on the walls. For the three adults in our party of five (which included a set of grandparents) the hot tub on the balcony quickly stole our attention. But nothing could compare to the look of happy surprise the next morning  when we opened the blinds and stared into a winter wonderland of frosted fir trees – their tips bathed in the honeyed early rays of light – next to a village that could have been traced off the cover of a Christmas card. We couldn’t wait to hit the slopes – which was as easy as stepping outside and clipping on our skis.

At Big White fantastic snow conditions and expert instruction helped our skiing improve out of sight. The hot chocolate ringed smiles of Little Misses proof they had no issue with being dropped off to school on holiday – when skiing lessons were involved.

Families are clearly a priority at Big White which serves up  a happy hour that includes minors, Wii and trivia nights and an adventure park with a Mega Snow Coaster Tube Park, ice climbing wall, skating rink and fire pits for roasting marshmallows. This is also were we picked up our first ever sleigh ride through the back country trails. Dog sledding. Tick. Snow Shoeing. Tick. The Australian owners have thought of everything.

An hour in the other direction from Kelowna Airport, we were transported back to the Victorian era when precious metals were more prized than powder trails.  Modelled on a 19th century mining town, Silver Star’s pedestrian village is more Disney than Dickensian. Little Misses attentions were quickly drawn to the buildings all painted a rainbow of colours. The seal of final approval was given the instant they discovered the frozen (ice hockey) pond,  tube park and snowmobile track. Skiing doesn’t get much better than this – a choice of ghostly forest trails, challenging steeps, and gentle cruising to give you time to soak up the incredible scenery.

You should know: about seven metres of champagne powder snow falls annually. Tucked into the sheltered westerly side of the Canadian Rockies in the Okaganan (wine growing) region of British Columbia, also means mild average daytime temperatures of 5°C.

 Hot tip: Pass holders at Big White are eligible for discounts on day tickets at Silver Star and vice versa.

Before heading home surprise the kids with an LA stopover and a Disneyland adventure. Winter is the best time to go to avoid the long queues but pack your shorts and tees as California day time temps can reach the mid-20s.

At a glance

Big White

– 17,000 guest beds – all ski in, ski out.

– 16 lifts, 118 runs (105kms of marked trails) across 2976 ha of varied terrains from deep powder bowls, forest glades, steeps and bumps and fall-line cruising. Over half cater to blue intermediate skiers and the rest is pretty evenly divided between the more advanced blacks and easy greens.

– 25kms Nordic Trails.

Silver Star

– ski-in, ski-out accommodation for 5500 (ranging from large vacations homes, hotels and luxury condos)

– Beginner Discovery Park,  12 lifts, 115 runs over 1240 skiable hectares including a terrain park.

For more information: www.canada.travel; www.britishcolumbia.travel; www.skisilverstar.com; www.bigwhite.com.

Word of advice

To avoid being further delayed (and possibly denied entry) on arrival, single parents travelling with children are advised to carry a letter, signed and witnessed, by the non-travelling partner (or ex) confirming they are aware of your international travel plans. Canada’s security measures have been tightened due to recent cases of child abduction.

FROM books, bibs and bottles to towels and Christening plates, the hottest gifts to buy any new baby usually bear the watercolour images and stories of Peter Rabbit and friends.

So naturally, while enjoying the scenery of northern England’s famed Lake District, no itinerary was complete for Misses Five and Seven if it didn’t include a chance to follow in the footsteps of their cotton-tail hero and tip toe through the turnips, cabbages and radishes of Mr McGregor’s precious vegetable patch. Or as close as they could get without getting into trouble.

    While Peter Rabbit’s creator Beatrix Potter grew up in Kensington, London, it was the scenic, rolling English countryside here that inspired her to pen and illustrate many of her classic animal stories.

She wrote 23 in all, and all are vividly retold at Bowness-on-Windermere at the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. A life-sized model of Potter and animal friends greets visitors at the entrance.  Following a four-minute film introduction to Potter’s life (she was not only a talented writer and artist but an avid naturalist and conservationist ) guests are then guided through a door and transported into her magical world and each classic tale.

 The attention to every detail  of Potter’s characters is what makes this indoor attraction so worthwhile.

We spot Jemima in her poke bonnet, flying high above the fox-gloves searching for a place in the woods to hatch her eggs, and the sly, gentleman fox Mr Tod who later attempts to make her his dinner.

We spot Mrs Tittlemouse, Peter’s cousin Benjamin and see how Squirrel Nutken and friends used their tails as sails on twig rafts to cross the water to Owl Island to gather nuts. There are the pigs of Pigling Bland and Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, her spikes peaking through her cap as she does her daily washing in her kitchen; Jeremy Fisher on his lily-pad boat angling for his minnow dinner and the mischievous Flopsy Bunnies, who fell asleep with bellies full of Mr McGregor’s ‘soporific’ lettuces.

To add to the attraction’s authenticity, the trail takes us outside to Mr McGregor’s actual garden, brimming with ripening vegetables. And it’s there, soaring above the garden beds strung over a wooden cross to scare away the blackbirds, we find Peter Rabbit’s new blue jacket with the brass buttons which the naughty bunny loses in a net in the gooseberry bush while trying to escape Mr McGregor’s clutches in Potter’s most famous first tale. The garden is also home to a bronze statue commissioned to honour Potter’s impressive contribution to children’s literature.

The attraction’s latest innovation is the virtual walk highlighting many of the places in the Cumbrian countryside that Potter used as story locations. Visitors take the journey via a HD multi-touch table displaying 360 degree panoramas. Running alongside this is the interactive timeline displaying archive film footage. Children can also pick up an activity booklet filled with quizzes, puzzles and games to help them discover more about stories she wrote and illustrated – as they make their way through. And near the end they can have their souvenir photo taken (for a fee). A green screen allows children to select their favourite characters to pose with. The attraction also houses a tea room where regular tea parties are held (bookings are essential). And just in case you haven’t got enough Peter Rabbit and friends memorabilia or want to buy a new gift for the next generation, there’s also a well stocked souvenir shop.

Going Potty

In the 30 years she lived in the Lake District Potter bought up a great deal of land, in a bid to preserve the region’s farming heritage. Hill Top, purchased in 1905 with the profits from her first book, was just one of 15 farms she bequeathed to the National Trust (she established) when she died in 1943.

Hill Top

The 17th century farmhouse, near Sawrey is opened to the public most days (just be sure to check opening times. It’s a long way to come to find the house closed for renovations!)

The house has been set up inside exactly as it would have been when Potter lived here.  As you wander through you can match the drawings with the rooms and furniture. The house inspired  The Tale of Tom Kitten (published in 1907),The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck (1908) and The Tale of Samuel Whiskers (1908). Pigling Bland and his brothers also set off to market from here. Misses Five and Seven also enjoyed finding the clues to a Pigling Bland puzzle in the cottage garden. They even spotted Peter, without his coat, and friends hopping about the tall grasses.

Other places to visit include the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkeshead where the author’s original artworks (drawings and watercolours) are on display. Incidentally, the house used to be her solicitor husband William Heelis’ office.

In 1882 when she was just 16, Potter holidayed at the neo-Gothic  Wray Castle, which sits on the shores of Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. She later owned much of the surrounding land. Inside the castle you’ll find a brand new Peter Rabbit playroom where children can dress up like the characters, watch episodes of the new CBeebies show or try their hand at gardening.

Built in Victorian times, this mock medieval castle also has turrets with pretend arrow slits and a working portcullis. Children can dress up as knights, kings and queens and even build their own medieval castle inside.

For more information visit: www.hop-skip-jump.com/; http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk