Falling for the thrills of bungee jumping
LOOKING for something a little different to add to your ski break this season? Now you can add freefall fun to your Canadian adventure, go wildlife-crazy in Wyoming… or simply rejoice in great value for solo skiers in the French Alps.
TAKE a break from your Canadian ski trip on the slopes of British Columbia and head for the Cheakamus River to try your hand at bungee-jumping. As the countdown ‘Three, two, one!’ belts out, your heart pounds louder than the roar of glacial water 160ft below. Then you’re in adrenaline-filled freefall until the cord bites to catapult you back towards the bridge you jumped off (whistlerbungee.com, £82pp including local transport).
If that’s a thrill too far, make for the 8,000 acres of skiable terrain in the world-renowned Whistler ski area in Canada’s Coastal Mountains. Seven nights’ room-only at the four-star Crystal Lodge & Suites, departing March 9, 2022, costs from £1,023pp, based on two sharing. This includes flights, transfers and access to outdoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna and 24-hour gym (inghams.co.uk).
If you can tear yourself away from the thrilling slopes of Jackson Hole,
Wyoming in the USA, you could take a guided wildlife tour at the National Elk Refuge and neighbouring Grand Teton National Park – home to bison, wolves, bears, coyotes, foxes and bald eagles, as well as thousands of elk.
The eight-hour tour (jacksonhole wildlifesafaris.com, £1,10pp) includes short hikes, off-road driving, hot drinks, lunch and hotel pick-up and drop-off. Seven nights’ B&B at the four-star Wort Hotel in Jackson, departing March 2, costs £1,945pp based on two sharing and with flights and transfers (ski-i.com).
In the French Alps, ‘houseparty’ ski weeks aim to bring single ski fans together at off-peak dates.
Friendship Travel has two properties in Vaujany on the edge of the Alpe d’Huez ski region, with its 150 miles of groomed slopes – easily accessible via gondola or cable car. Houseparty weeks at Chalet Rostaing and Chalet Lucette depart January 16, February 6 and March 13 and 20, and cost £1,325pp for sole occupancy. Flights, transfers, seven breakfasts and afternoon teas, five dinners and six mornings of ski or snowboard lessons included (friendshiptravel.com).