Ski resorts in Canada stretch right across the country, with the best being in British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. The following resorts represent the best of the best by any standard – long runs, sharp drop offs, and spectacular scenery plus a range of activities, such as heliskiing and glacier skiing.
1. Whistler / Blackcomb, British Columbia
Nestled in the British Columbia Coast Mountains, under 2 hours from Vancouver, Whistler / Blackcomb is Canada's top ski destination and one of the best in the world. Whistler and Blackcomb mountains are joined at the base by a pedestrian village with all the amenities you'd expect from a town that draws 2 million visitors a year from around the world.
- Skiiable Area: Over 8,100 acres
Skiable Vertical:One mile
Bowls: 12
Longest Run: 11 km/7 miles
Terrain Type: 200+ Runs; Beginner – 15(W)/20%(B); Intermediate – 55%; Advanced - 20(W)/25%(B)
Types of Lifts: 38
Annual Snowfall: 402 inches/33.5 feet
Other Activities: Zip trek, tube park, dog-sledding, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowcat tours, heli-skiing
2. Kicking Horse Resort, Golden, British Columbia
Photo courtesy Kicking Horse Resort
Famous for its powder and scenic setting in the Purcell Range of the Rocky Mountains, just two and a half hours west of Calgary, Kicking Horse Resort also boasts the greatest vertical in the Rockies.
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Skiiable Area: 2,750 acres
Skiable Vertical: 1,260 metres (4,133 feet)
Bowls: 2 alpine bowls
Longest Run: 10 km or 6 miles
Terrain Type: 106 Runs; Beginner – 20%; Intermediate – 20%; Advanced - 45%; Expert – 15%
Types of Lifts:
1 High speed 8 Person Gondola, 2 Quad Chairs, 1 Double Chairlift, 1 Surface Lift
Annual Snowfall: Mid Mountain - 360cm (142"); Summit - 700cm (275")
Other Activities: Tubing, heli-skiing, Wildlife Wolf Centre, climbing gym
3. Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie, British Columbia
Photograph: Henry Georgi / Getty Images
Fernie is a charming, historic town, blessed with a naturally beautiful setting suited to skiing. The Fernie Alpine Resort
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Skiiable Area: 2,504 acres
Skiable Vertical: 857m (2,812 ft)
Longest Run: 5 kms (3 miles)
Terrain Type: 111 Runs; Beginner – 30%; Intermediate – 40%; Expert – 30%
Bowls: 5 Types of Lifts: 2 High-speed quad chairlifts, 2 Quad chairs, 2 Triple chairs, 1 T-bars, 1 platter, 1 handle tow, 1 conveyor
Annual Snowfall: 884cm (384 in)
Other Activities: Visit the Fernie Brewing Company, climbing gym, heritage tours
4. Red Resort, Rossland, British Columbia
Red Resort on Red Mountain and Granite Mountain is known for its abundance of powder and varied terrain. Nearby Rossland is just 8 km north of the US/Canada border in the heart of the West Kootenay region of British Columbia.-
Skiiable Area: 642 hectares (1,585 acres)
Skiable Vertical: 887 m (2,909 ft)
Halfpipe: 1
Terrain Park features jumps, jibs, skier / boarder-cross course, and park wide sound system. Terrain Type: 83+ Runs; Beginner – 10%; Intermediate – 45%; Advanced - %; Expert – 45%
6 Lifts: Red Chair, Red Carpet, Motherlode Chair, Paradise Chair, Silverlode Chair, and T-Bar.
Annual Snowfall: 7.6 m (25 ft)
Other Activities: Heritage tours, heli-skiing, spa, shopping
5. Big White Ski Resort, Kelowna, British Columbia
B.C.'s second biggest mountain, Big White also lays claim to being Canada’s largest totally ski-in, ski-out village. The resort is family friendly and has accommodation to suit a range of budgets.-
Skiiable Area: 2,765 acres
Skiable Vertical: 777 m (2,550 ft)
Bowls: 5 alpine bowls
Longest Run: 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
TELUS Park Terrain Park features super pipe, halfpipe and more. Terrain Type: 118 runs; Beginner – 18%; Intermediate – 54%; Advanced - 22%; Expert – 6%
Lifts: 16
Annual Snowfall: 24.5 feet (7.5 metres)
Other Activities: Tubing park, skating rink, dogsled tours, spas
6. Sun Peaks, near Kamloops, British Columbia
Kelly Funk / Getty Images
Sun Peaks is on the northern edge of the Okanagan region, famous for its spectacular scenery and wine growing.
- Skiiable Area: 3,678 acres of terrain, the second largest ski area in B.C. and the third largest in Canada.
Skiable Vertical: 881m (2,891')
Bowls: 2 alpine bowls
Longest Run: Up to 8km (5 miles) long
Terrain Type: 10% novice (green circle), 58% intermediate (blue square), and 32% expert (black diamond)
Types of Lifts: 12 lifts total, including 3 high speed quad chairlifts, 2 quad chairlifts, 1 triple chairlift, and 6 surface lifts
Annual Snowfall: 559cm (220") of powder
7. Banff / Lake Louise, Alberta
Banff / Lake Louise skiing is spread over three resorts: Mt. Norquay, Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Mountain Resort. In a single tri-area lift ticket you gain access to all three with free transportation to and from the resorts. The area enjoys one of the longest ski seasons in North America, from mid November to late May.-
Skiiable Area:Combined 8,000 acres
Skiable Vertical: 1070 meters (3514 feet) at Sunshine
Bowls: Yes
Nightskiing: At Norquay
Longest Run: 8 kms (5 miles)
Terrain Type: 274 Runs; Beginner – 20/25%; Intermediate – 45/55%; Advanced - 25/30% (Norquay has 16% Expert)
Types of Lifts: 5 - 13 lifts at each resort
Annual Snowfall: 30+ ft
Other Activities: Sightseeing, icefields
8. Mont-Tremblant, Tremblant, Quebec
Yves Marcoux / Getty Images
Mont-Tremblant is only a one-hour drive from Montreal, plus has the convenience of an airport. However, despite its convenience and a charming pedestrian village and scenic location, Tremblant attracts more "tourist" skiers than locals and is known for being crowded and expensive.
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Skiiable Area: 253 hectares / 625.5 acres (253 hectares)
Skiable Vertical: 645 meters / 2116 feet
18 acres of ramps, rails and jumps
Olympic caliber superpipe
Longest Run: (6 km /3.75 miles)
Terrain Type: Runs; Beginner – 17%; Intermediate – 33%; Expert –50 %
Lifts: 13 state-of-the-art lifts
Annual Snowfall: 382cm / 150 inches
Other Activities: European-style pedestrian village offers an array of activities and conveniences to fill out your days.
9. Mont Sainte-Anne, Beaupré, Quebec
Mont-Sainte-Anne is a mere 30 mins from Quebec City.Skiiable Area: 465 acres (185 ha)
Skiable Vertical: 625 meters (2 050 feet)
17 trails open for night skiing, including the highest vertical for night skiing in Canada
Longest Run: 1.4 miles Terrain Type: Runs; Beginner – 23%; Intermediate – 45%; Advanced - 18%; Expert – 14%
XL Terrain Park: Kinks, rainbow, down-flat-down, jibs, c-box, box down, wall-ride, tress, picnic tables, and more.
Lifts: 1 high-speed gondola, 2 high-speed quads, 10 other lifts
Annual Snowfall: 400 cm or 160 inches
Other Activities: Dogsledding, paragliding, canyoning on ice, ice skating, and more.
10. Le Massif, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec
Photo courtesy Le Massif.com
Although there is not a lot of extreme terrain, Massif still appeals to a wide range of skier. I know plenty of seasoned skiers who rank it among the best in Canada, certainly in Quebec. Much of Massif's appeal is the incredible view of the St. Lawrence and the proximity to Quebec City and Baie aint-Paul, a stunning arts town in the region of Charlevoix.
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Skiiable Area: 166 hectares / 410 acres
Skiable Vertical: 770 m / 2,526 ft
Longest Run: 4.8 km/2.98 miles
Terrain Type: Runs; Beginner – 20%; Intermediate – 37%; Advanced - 31%; Expert – 12%
Types of Lifts: 3 high-speed quads + 2 handle lifts
Annual Snowfall: 630 cm / 21 ft (plus snowmaking)
