Winter Wonderland in the Canadian Rockies

Fly overnight from the UK to Vancouver, where snow already dusts the North Shore Mountains above the harbour.

Settle in for three nights at the Coast Coal Harbour Vancouver Hotel by APA, with the city's marina and mountain backdrop right outside. Cross the Capilano Suspension Bridge, strung with lights for winter, and spend your days wandering Stanley Park's frozen seawall and Granville Island's covered market before collecting your hire car.

Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway north, one of British Columbia's classic winter routes, past Shannon Falls and Squamish's granite cliffs to Whistler. Three nights at the Aava Hotel put you a short walk from the village, with the Peak 2 Peak Gondola linking Whistler and Blackcomb, the two mountains that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Return your hire car at Vancouver Airport for a short domestic flight to Calgary, where a second car is waiting for the drive into the Rockies.

Three nights at the Brewster Mountain Lodge, put you in the heart of Banff town. Take a sleigh ride through snow-laden pines, ride the Banff Gondola for views over the Bow Valley, and soak in the mountain hot springs after a day on the slopes.

Drive the Bow Valley Parkway towards Lake Louise, watching for elk and bighorn sheep along the way. Two nights at the Post Hotel & Spa keep you close to the frozen lake itself, where your Lake Louise Tube Park Pass is waiting.

Head back to Calgary for two final nights at The Westley Calgary Downtown. Trade the mountains for the city's restaurants, bars and a stop at Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, home to a permanent hockey exhibit, before your journey home.

Return your hire car at Calgary Airport for your flight home to the UK.