With world-class resorts across the USA and Canada, we’ve got Canada ski packages well and truly covered; whatever your experience level and whatever your needs, our ski package holidays are a cut above the rest. Summer holidays don’t have to be about lying on the beach and building up that tan. Flip expectations and try a ski summer holiday instead!

There are tons of great resorts around the world where you can still do that – and they aren’t all in the wintry Southern Hemisphere either. Here are six great ones to get those juices a-flowing and that powder a-spraying.

Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

We kick off in the famous Canadian Whistler valley. This resort is found on the slopes of Blackcomb Mountain, on the Hortsman Glacier, sitting adjacent to Whistler Mountain. Excellently accommodated by brilliant lift and gondola services, Whistler Blackcomb also boasts snowboarding half-pipes, well-designed runs and rewarding off-piste zones.

You have to be quick about your business though – access to the glacier is only permitted between 11am and 3pm from mid-June to late July. Note that the runs are generally tougher than average so only advanced to expert skiers are recommended.

Las Lenas, Argentina

Further south are the relatively untapped winter resorts of Argentina. Along its Andean border with Chile nestles Las Lenas, which plays host to 30 pistes suited to skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. There are loads of instructor courses readily designed to improve your level too, so no worries if you’re still spending most of the holiday on your backside! Special programmes like Out Of Track and Extreme Expeditions for the more advanced and adventurous also exist: expert guides will help you find the purest of powders for the ultimate skiing experience.

Coronet Peak, New Zealand

Skiing Down Under? No, not Australia – I mean the mountains of New Zealand. Located on the South Island, close to Queenstown, sits Coronet Peak. It plays host to a much loved winter resort that comprises a variety of different ability runs (including for children), long-distance challenges and even night skiing.

Perisher, Australia

Australia too? Yes, really! Located in the Snowy Mountains, a six-hour drive from Sydney, sits a congregation of four villages around which is built one of the largest ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere. The runs are best for intermediates and beginners mostly, but with good ski lift access, varied terrain and plenty of freestyling facilities, Perisher is an unsung diamond.

Hintertux, Austria

This is a great summer Alpine resort on the Hintertux glacier – one of the last year-round winter sport destinations in Europe. The experience is as solid as anyone would expect from an Austrian ski resort: excellent travel links, exemplary resort navigation, beautiful views and challenging runs with steep gradients. It’s not for the faint hearted, but perfect for seasoned skiers.

Tignes, France

On the Grande Motte Glacier sits Tignes, one of the coolest ski destinations in the Alps. Its reputation is built on the early embrace of alternative ski culture but still has plenty to offer everyone, including 5-day workshops and lessons daily. Tignes’ summer season stretches from mid-June to August, but make sure you get to the glacier early because it closes at 1pm – leaving you with the afternoon to relax in the late summer sun after a morning of hard work.

It’s a tantalising list, but don’t let that distract you from neglecting your travel insurance research – especially on a ski holiday. Having good single trip travel insurance will keep your mind at ease when you’re gliding over the drifts and racking up the G’s.

One important but often overlooked vehicle maintenance products is paint protection film.

This paint protection Adelaide actually bonds with the paint’s molecular properties and thus, creates a durable protective coating that has been proven to prevent harsh elements and pollutants from entering into the paint’s micropores that begins damaging/oxidizing the paint properties causing it to look dull, oxidized and worn off.

Clear paint protection films can be applied to areas of your car’s body where the paint may become scratched or nicked. Some vehicle owners will apply the film to the front of their vehicle to protect the paint from stone chips, sticky bug grime, and other debris. It can also be applied elsewhere on the car where the paint may become damaged, such as behind door handles or on the rocker panels.

You can choose to have paint protection film professionally installed or you can do it yourself. If you want to install paint protection film yourself, you’ll probably want to buy the product online as it’s cheaper than in a store and you’ll have a greater selection to choose from. In this post, we’re going to show you our preferred paint protection films, explain what’s good about them (or what may not be so good) and answer any questions you may have in regards to purchasing or installing such products.

1. Editor’s Pick: 3M Scotchgard

We like 3M’s Scotchgard as it is a very long-lasting clear paint protection film. The 3M company is also a global leader in films, adhesive products, and laminates. The company’s paint protection film is a clear polyurethane film that is 8 mils (0.0008″) thick with adhesive backing.

This very thin, transparent film can be applied to the front of your vehicle, acting as a clear “bra” to shield your car from debris. Users say it’s long lasting, extremely sticky and relatively easy to apply—although working with vinyl film can be tricky if you’ve never done it before.

We’d suggest buying more of this film than you think you’ll need. That way you will have some leftover if you make a mistake and you will also have addition film if you ever want to reapply it to your vehicle.

While this product is very thin and thus hard to see once applied, some users say it is too thin. We’d suggest it to those who wish to protect their vehicle’s paint but want the protective film to go unnoticed.

2. XPEL Clear Paint Protection Film

XPEL is a well-known purveyor of automotive paint protection products and we’d comfortably suggest its paint protection film to any vehicle owner. Like 3M’s Scotchgard paint protection film, XPEL’s product is a clear polyurethane film that is 8 mils thick. It’s available in three different sizes: 6″ by 25″, 6″ by 60″, and 6″ by 84″.

This film is nearly invisible when applied and goes on even clearer than 3M’s Scotchgard film. It’s not as protective as the 3M Scotchgard, however, and is a bit pricier.

XPEL also makes a very high-quality door sill clear film guard for protecting your door sills and rocker panels from scratches, swirls or damage.

3. SunTek Top Coated Paint Protection Film

SunTek’s paint protection film is typically only sold in large quantities (it’s typically used by professionals, hence the bulk unit sizes) but that makes it good for covering the entire front end of your car or truck, including the hood. It also means you’ll have lots left over if you want to cover other parts of your vehicle, apply it to another vehicle or have some spare film for later. The film also has a lot of household uses.

SunTek’s film is a “self-healing” polyurethane film that is 8 mils thick. If scratches or swirls appear in the film, just pour hot water over it and they’ll disappear. SunTek also sells matte film in addition to the usual gloss film, so it can be used on matte paint jobs. It’s also backed by a five-year manufacturer’s warranty.  Compared to 3M film, SunTek’s goes on clearer, although the adhesive is not as sticky and 3M film is also not “self healing.”

4. Karlor Vinyl Wrap Film

Karlor’s vinyl wrap film is the least expensive product on this list.

It doesn’t have the same quality as 3M Scotchgard, for example, but will save you a little bit of money up front. The manufacturer says this product has an acrylic-based adhesive that’s not overly sticky, making it easy to reposition during installation. It predicts the film will last around 4-7 years outdoors and up to 10 years indoors. This particular product is made from PVC and is 0.17 mm thick.

While not backed by a reputable manufacturer like 3M, this film is inexpensive, will go on clear, and will protect your car from scratches and nicks.

5. VViViD Clear Paint Protection Film

This paint protection film from VViViD aims to be easy to apply—it can be stretched without having to use a heat gun and features “ultra conformable” compounds so it will contour to whatever you’re trying to apply it to. Like Karlor’s film, this product features air-release acrylic-based adhesive that can easily be repositioned, installed, and removed without the need of harmful chemicals.

This inexpensive film is also highly resistant to abrasions, light damage, and yellowing, the manufacturer says.

With a cheap entry-price and good durability, the VViViD Clear Paint Protection Film is a decent product, although we’d say it’s inferior to others from 3M, XPEL, and SunTek.

Some paint protection promise to keep your car away from any scratches. Many vehicle suppliers will certainly supply add ons along with the purchase of your vehicle as a method of sweetening the bargain, or simply as an up offer to enhance their margins, both of which might have their own advantages and disadvantages. However the essential inquiry is, should I get a cars and truck dealership paint security information? Well if you read around online or listen to skilled ‘detailers’ the solution is a definite no. But what if the supplier has a relationship with said skilled detailers? Well then we are speaking about something completely different. It is vital to keep in mind that paint defense, as well as even automobile cleansing as a whole, can do much a lot more damages than good when done inaccurately …

Is car dealership paint protection worth it?

Repaint protection, although commonly rather intricate in its application and product choice, is actually a basic service with very little intricacy entailed in any way. Your good brand-new car, with its dazzling paintwork, can be safeguarded via using 3rd celebration detailing products that seal the paintwork as well as prevent penetration, add an extra layer of defense between the paint and the components as well as shield against the effects of UV rays in discolouring paint pigments. It is usually a slim finishing of plastic or even ceramic, that prevents tiny abrasives leaving damage on the paintwork. The paint will usually be shielded for a minimal time, relying on the products used, yet throughout that period the vehicle can be cleaned as well as waxed, typically easier than an un-protected vehicle, and look like new each time.

So why does the net recommend declining these services from automobile dealers? Well auto dealerships offer autos. Very few are skilled or educated in the art of car detailing and also neither are their younger personnel or those entrusted with preparing an auto for both pre-sale or post sale. What this really implies is it is difficult to trust a dealership to offer the degree of care and attention needed in car describing when preparing your paint security on your new vehicle, be that used or off the manufacturing line.

Blog sites and comment sections are awash with problems as well as suggestions regarding staying clear of dealer include ons whatsoever prices, yet this does not require to be the case. If the deal is a sugar in your acquisition bargain, after that just make inquiries regarding 3rd event detailers and whether those that execute the paint security solution are totally certified. I for one would certainly be very tempted by the deal of a 3rd celebration detailer obtaining his hands on my auto cost free and also I would likely advise the cars and truck dealership solution to others knowing they had actually put in the time to make such an arrangement with other local service suppliers.

SO what concerns could be asked to evaluate the degree of solution on deal and also if it is to be avoided at all expenses:

Do car suppliers do their very own detailing?

The solution is most likely to be ‘in-house by our trained experts’, so simply ask to see the certification’s of stated specialist as well as ask to meet them to go over the service they are going to offer. This is not you being hard, it is simply to protect the financial investment you have actually simply made and we recognize vehicles depreciate enough as it is without damaged swirly paintwork.

If the response is no, then that is probably a good start to proceedings. Ask who the 3rd event is and also get any kind of information concerning them to check them out online initial or even examine them out on our Car Detailing Directory sections.

If the response over was Yes, then the list of inquiries gets a little bit longer than just the one over.

How is paint security related to my car?

The ‘sealant’ will certainly need to be used straight to the surface area paintwork and also this needs all waxes and any surface coverings to be removed before application This will certainly permit the paint defense product to bond to the paint and also last much longer. Once total, waxes as well as other therapies can be used ahead and the bodywork can be treated similar to the original paint.

Do not think about using paint defense yourself as it actually needs to be executed by a specialist, educated with the items they have actually selected to utilize. It is far simpler to create damages than it is to obtain it right. Look for the guidance of a certified automobile detailer or request a quote for car detailing through us to ensure you get the very best solution available.

These sealants are potentially hazardous to skin as well as sensitive locations and call for the proper security equipment to be used throughout application.

Waxes as well as various other products can damage the sealer down and prevent it from ever before functioning correctly, these need to be gotten rid of properly and securely previous to the service being accomplished

Anything below the sealer, ie between it and also the paintwork, will certainly exist to stay. So the paintwork requires to be properly cleaned up and also dealt with first

Scrapes and swirl marks are most likely signs of poor paint protection application and one of the numerous factors it is advised to not make use of car dealership internal services

Do I require paint security on my new auto?

Firstly it needs to be comprehended that no automobile NEEDS paint security if the proprietor is not looking to keep it in best condition or wanting to assist it keep it’s worth. It may seem evident that every person would intend to do that, however it simply isn’t true. If you are getting a little run around that has actually not been a huge investment for you, after that it actually can be cash far better spent somewhere else. It will not shield against reckless driving or vehicle parking that bit also near the vehicle next door …

For those people that actually like dealing with their autos, have the time as well as money to do so and feel they have the vehicle deserving of such therapy, then definitely take into consideration paint therapies like paint protection.

With the price of a respray being so high as well as with Paint Protection Film & Car Wrapping still rather an expensive customisation choice, looking after the paintwork from the off is commonly the very best option for having an excellent looking auto that is well looked after.

I invested a great deal on my car, I desire it shielded

As we claimed above, if you have spent huge on your car you are most likely to want to offer it the very best care and focus. We suggest doing this by taking it to an automobile detailer rather of making use of car supplier paint defense services.

Paintwork can be kept shiny and also reflective with making use of various waxes and treatments however without paint security, it is exposed that little bit a lot more and the colour will soon be influenced by UV rays. So not just are you able to protect versus small abrasions as well as UV, you have the ability to retain the colour of the paint as well as also lock in that brand-new vehicle appearance and also finish.

If you have actually purchased a brand-new car, we recommend you look to get it protected within the initial year of acquisition, but preferably obtain it done as soon as possible … simply consult the car dealership at size before dedicating to the service they may offer you.

What paint protection products do you utilize?

A simple Google search will certainly highlight who are the top paint defense brand names around and possibly who to avoid. Several specialist cars and truck detailers are approved with several of the very best brand names on the marketplace, indicating they were trained as well as analyzed in their capabilities to utilize the products. You can discover impressive products on our shop from the sort of Britemax, OCD Finish and Croftgate UK. Dealership are most likely to not have access to these items or the accreditation’s they bring with them which is a large adverse versus them as paint defense company.

If you are paying 3 figures for a service on top of the purchase of an automobile, you most likely wish to have the very best item for the task being used by the ideal individual for the work so constantly refuse the deal of cars and truck dealer paint protection.