Air Canada's extensive network throughout North America and world wide provides skiers and snowboarders with great choices and direct access to some of the world's best slopes. Some of the top spots to ski in Canada are conveniently served by Air Canada directly. The following mountains are open from mid-November to April/May depending on snow conditions:

• Vancouver: Whistler Blackcomb, BC, www.whistlerblackcomb.com
• Kelowna: Big White, www.bigwhite.com Silver Star, www.silverstarmtn.com
• Calgary: Lake Louise, AB, www.skilouise.com Sunshine Village, AB, www.skibanff.com
• Banff Mount Norquay, AB, www.banffnorquay.com
• Edmonton: Marmot Basin, Jasper National Park, AB, www.skimarmot.com
• Montréal: Mont Tremblant, QC, www.tremblant.ca
• Québec City: Mont Ste-Anne, QC, www.mont-sainte-anne.com
• Stoneham, QC, www.ski-stoneham.com

Visit SkiCan (www.skican.com or 1-888-4-SKICAN), Canada's largest ski tour operator to Western Canada for a wide variety of ski holiday options offered in collaboration with Air Canada.

Packing your snowboard or skis, boots and poles properly is important

It's important to pack your skis or snowboard equipment properly. A set of snow skis means one pair of skis, poles and boots (or one snowboard and boots) are considered as one piece of checked baggage. No other item(s) can be carried in the container. The equipment must be packed in a rigid, hard shell container specifically designed for shipping.

Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, its regional carrier, allow each customer a free checked baggage allowance of one or two pieces of luggage that individually weigh no more than 23 kilos (50 pounds). The overall measurement of each piece (length + width + height) must be less than 158 centimetres (62 inches). Air Canada waives the length requirement for the ski container.

When your equipment is checked as baggage over and above the two-piece allowance, additional charges will be collected at the airport. Air Canada's North America excess baggage fee is $105 ($75 USD). A customer travelling on an international flight with skis/snowboarding equipment in excess of the free baggage allowance is subject to a excess baggage fee of $175 ($125 USD).

Effective immediately, by registering ski equipment prior to check-in, passengers will benefit from applicable waivers on the excess piece fee(s) for ski and snowboard boots and the oversize fee for skis and snowboards. Learn more.

More traveller information, including baggage details, are available on the Air Canada website at aircanada.com or call Air Canada reservations at 1-888-247-2262.