There’s everywhere else, and then there is skiing and snowboarding in Canada.
The North American country has world-class ski resorts with powdery slopes that delight snow lovers of all abilities. The snow fields have epic snowfalls, untracked terrain, awe-inspiring mountain ranges, scenic glacial scenery, and forested hills as far as the eye can see.
Thrill-seekers flock to the snowcapped Rockies and Coast mountains for deep, fresh powder and fewer crowds.
To help you choose the best resort for your next getaway, we have compiled a list of top resorts in Canada. You’ll also learn about:
- Resorts with great off-piste and backcountry terrain as well as those with family-friendly and beginner slopes
- Ski fields with ski-in/ski-out access and those with on-mountain day-use facilities
- Ski resorts with the best accommodation options for individuals, groups, or families
So whether planning a backcountry adventure or a family getaway, the Alberta and British Columbia resorts offer an incredible experience. As you shred powder, enjoy the famed Canadian hospitality and take time to experience the beautiful Canadian alpine scenery.
1 Whistler Blackcomb
This is the largest ski resort in North America, with a unique ski village.
It is a premier ski field with bespoke skiing and snowboarding facilities. Its diverse terrain attracts thrill seekers of all abilities, from beginners to experts.
The resort consists of two interconnected mountains: Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. Together, the two mountains constitute the largest skiable area in the world outside Europe.
In 2010, Whistler Blackcomb hosted the Vancouver Winter Olympics and other events such as bobsled competitions, luge, and skeleton.
The ski field is owned by Vail Resorts and is part of the Epic Pass program. This gives pass holders access to other Vail-owned resorts and discounts on lift passes and select services.
How To Get to the Whistler Blackcomb Resort
Whistler Blackcomb is located in British Columbia (BC), two hours north of Vancouver. It is within the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, near Canada’s west coast. To get to the resort, you take BC Highway 99 (the Sea to Sky Highway).
Visitors fly in through the Vancouver International Airport, about 140 kilometers south of Whistler Village. Whistler Blackcomb is popular with tourists due to the abundance of inbound international flights via the airport and its proximity to Vancouver City.
To get to the resort, you may rent a car or take shuttle busses from the city or airport.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Whistler Blackcomb
The resort’s location near the Pacific Coast Mountain Range guarantees a good amount of seasonal snow. It receives an impressive seasonal average of 9 to 13 meters, covering the terrain with regular fresh powder.
Whistler Blackcomb occupies a vast 8,172 acres of skiable terrain, with over 200 marked trails. It is served by 37 lifts that ascend over a 1,609-meter incline.
The resort has a diverse terrain that ranges from gentle beginner runs to steep alpine bowls, couloirs, and tree skiing for experts. It is classified as follows:
- 20% beginner
- 55% intermediate
- 25% advanced
The iconic whistler village has plenty of accommodation facilities and other amenities for thrill-seekers. They include luxury hotels, condos, restaurants, and shopping experiences.
Key Highlights of the Whistler Blackcomb Resort
- The revolutionary and efficient glass-bottomed Peak 2 Peak Gondola connecting Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.
- Plenty of activities for non-skiers, including tubing, zip lines, and tobogganing.
- Family-friendly facilities, including skiing and snowboarding school and plenty of gentle slopes for kids.
2 Lake Louise Ski Resort
This resort is nestled within the Rocky Mountains and is part of the Banff ski domain, which includes Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay. Collectively, the three mountains are known as the Big 3, and Lake Louise is the largest.
In addition to its family-friendly atmosphere, the resort offers incredible views of the glacial mountains, Bow Valley, and the lake. Thrill-seekers also enjoy ice skating on the frozen Lake Louise.
With a SkiBig3 pass, you can ski Lake Louise and the other resorts in the Banff ski domain. The resort is also part of the Mountain Collective Pass program.
How To Get to the Lake Louise Resort
Lake Louise is nestled within the Alberta Rockies in Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It lies about 57 kilometers from Banff Town and 180 kilometers from Calgary.
Visitors jet in via Calgary International Airport, about a 2-hour drive from the resort. Transfer options include shuttle busses from the airport and the city. However, renting a car is a better option as it allows you to access the other resorts in the Banff area.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Lake Louise
Lake Louise receives a modest 3.6 meters average seasonal snowfall. However, the low temperatures at the resort create the perfect conditions for dry fluffy powder. To complement the natural snow, 30% of the ski field’s slopes have snow-making equipment.
The snowfield occupies about 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, with 160 named runs totaling 139 kilometers. The resort is served by 11 lifts which transport revelers up an incline of between 1,646 and 2,637 meters.
The varied terrain includes a mix of chutes, alpine bowls, and plenty of groomed runs. Even though there are a few green runs for beginners, the terrain mostly suits intermediates to expert skiers and snowboarders. The terrain is further classified as follows:
- 25% (35 km) beginner,
- 45% (62 km) intermediate
- 30% (42 km) expert terrain
While there is no on-mountain accommodation at Lake Louise, plenty of day-use facilities exist. In addition, you’ll find restaurants, retail outlets that sell supplies, and ski equipment rental services.
Key Highlights of the Lake Louise Resort
- Family-friendly with a dedicated area for kids. These gentle pistes are located on sheltered wooded slopes close to the base area.
- Childcare facilities to entertain kids as their parents ski on the more challenging slopes
- The most extensive terrain park in North America
3 Sunshine Village
This ski resort is also part of the Big 3, and at 7,200 above sea level, it is the highest of the three.
It has one of the longest non-glacial snow sports seasons, from November to May.
The ski base is on a large bowl high up the mountain, and accessing the snowfield takes a 15-minute gondola ride from the mountain's base.
Of the three resorts in the Big 3, Sunshine Village is the only one that offers on-mountain accommodation and amenities as well as excellent ski-in/ski-out access.
How To Get to the Sunshine Village Resort
Sunshine Village is within the iconic Banff National Park, nestled in the Alberta Rockies. It lies 15 kilometers southwest of Banff. Although the resort’s base is in Alberta, parts of it are in British Columbia.
The best way to get to the resort is through the Calgary International Airport. From the airport and the city, it takes a 1.5-hour drive to get to the resort.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village has the best snow among the three ski areas in the Big 3 due to its high altitude. It receives an impressive seasonal average of 7 to 10 meters of snowfall.
The resort covers 3,358 acres of variable skiable terrain with 115 named runs and five terrain parks. It has 12 lifts that whisk thrill-seekers up a 2-kilometer incline. The ski field’s terrain is variable and is classified as follows:
- 20% beginner
- 55% intermediate
- 25% advanced and expert terrain
The expansive Sunshine Village snow area spans over three mountains which are:
- Mt. Standish
- Lookout Mountain
- Goat’s Eye Mountain
Both Lookout and Goat’s Eye mountains have advanced trails ideal for experts and advanced skiers and snowboarders. However, the terrain on Mt. Standish is more beginner-friendly and is a great destination for a family day out.
Expert revelers may also find advanced zones for pushing their limits in zones such as the Delirium Dive and Wild West. However, these zones are usually closed and only open when circumstances allow.
Key Highlights of the Sunshine Village Resort
- A longer snow season than its sister resorts allowing for an extended adventure and exploration period
- An alpine experience with scenic views above the tree line
- Great backcountry and off-piste terrains
4 Revelstoke
Experience the biggest vertical in North America.
The resort is famous for its big mountain terrain. It is also relatively hard to get to. It was once a popular hangout for the super-rich who came to Revelstoke for extreme sports such as heliskiing.
Thrill-seekers get treated to incredible views of Mt. Revelstoke, Mt. Begbie, and Monashee Mountain ranges.
Revelstoke hosts the Freeskiing World Tour.
How To Get to the Revelstoke Resort
Revelstoke sits on the slopes of Mt. Mackenzie in the interior of British Columbia. It lies about six kilometers southwest of Revelstoke town and 288 kilometers southwest of Banff.
Visitors fly in via the Kelowna International Airport and take a 2.5-hour drive from Kelowna City to the resort. If you’re arriving from Vancouver or Calgary, you can take a short internal flight to Kelowna.
The best transfer option from the airport or the city is through shuttle busses that make regular trips to the resort. However, for greater flexibility, you can rent a car which is a handy way to get around.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Revelstoke
Revelstoke is renowned for its massive amounts of powdery snow. It receives an impressive seasonal average snowfall of 10 to 15 meters.
The resort covers 3,121 acres with seven modern lifts serving 75 trails. At 1,713 meters, It has the highest vertical in British Columbia. The Stella chairlift makes the terrain accessible and makes it easy to access every part of the mountain.
Its variable terrain ranges from open bowls, tree runs, and green runs for beginners. In addition, it consists of steep groomers, moguls, glades, and groomed runs. The terrain, which is largely below the tree line, is classified as follows.
- 29% (16 km) easy terrain
- 33% (18 km) intermediate
- 38% (21 km) advanced
Revelstoke has many groomed slopes of all difficulty levels. In addition, it has various off-piste opportunities and heliskiing for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Freestylers love the snowpark, and beginners can try their ski legs at the base section.
Revelstoke Town offers many sightseeing adventures, including the BC Interior Forestry Museum, art galleries, and craft breweries.
Key Highlights of the Revelstoke Resort
- Plenty of activities for non-skiers, such as tubing and tobogganing
- Fewer crowds
- Multiple restaurants and bars
5 Big White
Enjoy the picturesque Okanagan Valley, which overlooks the Monashee Mountain Ranges.
It is a family-friendly resort with plenty of amenities, including ski-in/ski-out access.
How To Get to the Big White Resort
The resort is located on Big White Mountain in the Kootenay Boundary Regional District of British Columbia. It lies 56 kilometers from Kelowna City and 450 kilometers from Vancouver.
Visitors fly in through the Kelowna International Airport from international cities or through internal flights from Vancouver or Calgary. The most popular transfer option is the shuttle bus, but you can also rent a car from the airport or various outlets in Kelowna.
Why Skiers and Snowboarders Love Big White
The resort enjoys a high average seasonal snowfall of about 14 meters. Its location also guarantees the formation of dry “Okanagan Champagne Powder” that covers the slopes.
It occupies 2,765 acres of skiable terrain, giving plenty of off-piste and backcountry terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders. Big white has 119 runs totaling 100 kilometers, served by 16 lifts that whisk 28,000 skiers an hour up the slopes.
The Big White terrain favors experts and intermediates, with plenty of groomed runs. There are many single and double black diamond runs and several steep alpine bowls that thrill experts. However, beginners will also find a few gentle slopes to their delight.
The terrain is classified as follows:
- 18% beginner
- 54% intermediate
- 22% advanced
- 6% expert
The ski field has lots of family-friendly activities, and it is also easy to get around. It has lots of convenient amenities, lodges, restaurants, and hotels. You’ll also find plenty of equipment rentals.
Key Highlights of the Big White Resort
- Night skiing under flood-lit slopes
- An award-winning kids’ center
- Plenty of activities for non-skiers such as tubing, dogsledding, ice climbing, and snowmobiling.
- Ski school for beginners of all ages
Let Brealpa Help You Plan Your Next Winter Holiday Adventure
If you’re looking for an unforgettable winter adventure, you’ll enjoy ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies and snowcapped mountains of British Columbia.
The resorts have varied terrain that suits all abilities. You’ll also have a great time with your family as you engage in other non-skiing activities such as ice skating on Lake Louise, tubing, and tobogganing.
Brealpa can help you make your next skiing or snowboarding adventure unforgettable if you're unsure about your next winter thrill. Find resourceful information about:
- Where to get luxurious accommodation options as well as budget-friendly options
- Activities you can take part in various ski fields
- Snow conditions in popular resorts
- Flight, hotel, tour, and travel insurance bookings
- How to save money on flights, resort passes, and accommodations
