New Year’s Trip Selection 🎿
UTSSC is exploring one or two possible New Year’s ski trips for Winter Break 2026: Banff, Canada and/or the Dolomites, Italy. This page is information-only so you can decide which option you would seriously consider.
Important: These trips are not guaranteed yet. UTSSC will use member interest to decide whether we launch Banff, the Dolomites, or potentially both.
Beginner-friendly: Both potential trips are open to beginners. You do not need to be an intermediate or advanced skier/snowboarder to be considered. Lessons can be booked directly through the mountain/resort. UTSSC is not providing lessons as part of these trips.
What we need to know:
We are looking for members who are genuinely serious about attending — not just casually curious. New Year’s accommodations sell out early, so accurate early interest helps us decide what we can realistically book.
🗓️ Estimated Travel Window
We are currently looking at departures around December 27–29, 2026, with returns around January 3–5, 2027.
Exact dates will depend on flights, accommodations, group size, and which trip(s) move forward.
Trip Option 1: Banff, Canada 🇨🇦
Estimated Duration: 7–8 days
Estimated Ski Days: Up to 5 ski days
Estimated Trip Cost: $1,200–$1,600 CAD
Banff would be the more accessible New Year’s option: iconic Canadian Rockies, strong ski terrain, and a classic UTSSC-style group trip with flights, shared accommodations, and ground transportation.
- SkiBig3 access: Sunshine Village, Lake Louise, and Mt. Norquay
- Beginner-friendly terrain available, with lessons bookable directly through the mountain/resort
- Flights included in the estimated package
- Shared accommodations
- Group transportation between Calgary and Banff
- Lower estimated cost compared to Europe
Estimated package includes: flights, shared accommodations, and group ground transportation.
Not included: lift tickets, rentals, lessons, meals, insurance, baggage fees, and personal expenses.
Ikon Pass recommended. Ikon is accepted at SkiBig3, subject to pass access rules. If purchasing daily lift tickets, members should budget roughly $100–$150+ CAD per ski day depending on final dates and resort pricing.
Trip Option 2: Dolomites, Italy 🇮🇹
Estimated Duration: 7–8 days
Estimated Ski Days: Up to 5 ski days
Estimated Trip Cost: $3,200–$3,500 CAD
The Dolomites option would be a ski-focused European trip. The current concept is simple: fly into Venice, transfer directly to the mountains, ski, and return — no separate Venice/culture portion planned.
- Fly into Venice
- Private airport transfer to the Dolomites
- Shared accommodations in the ski region
- Beginner-friendly areas available, with lessons bookable directly through the mountain/resort
- Access to world-class European terrain
- Ski-focused itinerary with less city logistics
Estimated package includes: flights, shared accommodations, and group airport/mountain transfers.
Not included: lift tickets, rentals, lessons, meals, insurance, baggage fees, and personal expenses.
Ikon Pass recommended. Ikon is accepted at Dolomiti Superski, subject to pass access rules. If purchasing daily lift tickets, members should budget roughly $100–$150+ CAD per ski day depending on final dates and resort pricing.
💳 Early Commitment & Deposits
If one or both trips move forward, UTSSC may open an early commitment round for members who are ready to secure a spot. Early commitment may include preferred pricing, priority access, or first choice of available spots.
Estimated deposit range: approximately $500–$1,000 CAD, depending on the trip.
- Deposits would help UTSSC secure accommodations and begin locking in trip logistics.
- Early committed members may receive the best available pricing.
- Later signups may pay a higher price if costs increase or discounted inventory is no longer available.
- Exact deposit amounts and deadlines will be confirmed before any payment is collected.
Refund note: Deposits are expected to remain refundable until UTSSC begins booking flights. Participants will be notified before flights are booked and before any non-refundable commitments are made.
Why This Selection Matters
UTSSC needs serious early interest before reserving New Year’s accommodations. This is peak travel season, and we do not want to build a trip around vague interest that disappears when deposits open. Very glamorous. Very ski club.
- If Banff has stronger commitment, we may prioritize Banff.
- If the Dolomites has stronger commitment, we may prioritize Italy.
- If both have enough serious interest, we may explore launching both.
- If neither has enough committed interest, we may wait before booking anything.
Bottom line: Please only continue if you are seriously considering joining one of these trips at the estimated price range shown above.