Canada is renowned for offering some of the best skiing in the world. You’re guaranteed snow, epic terrain and jaw-dropping scenery. In many places, you won’t have to worry about long lift lines either. No matter where you go, you’re bound to have a great time on the slopes, but these resorts are considered the best of the best.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Whistler Blackcomb was the site of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and is often named not only the best ski resort in Canada but one of the best in the world. In fact, Whistler Blackcomb is visited by more skiers in North America than any other resort and it’s often named among the world’s top ski resorts. There are two mountains, Whistler and Blackcomb, which are linked by the Peak 2 Peak gondola providing access to everything from beginner to expert terrain across nearly 8,200 acres. There are 200 marked trails, bowls and glade zones, and the resort’s village offers a ton of things to do, almost like a small city of its own. Visitors will find countless eateries, bars and shops along with an outdoor skating rink, tubing park and cinema.
Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta
Banff National Park is an exciting destination that hosts three ski resorts, all spread along the continental divide. Banff Sunshine Village is Canada’s highest elevation resort famous for hosting some of the highest above-the-treeline terrain. For extreme skiers, it’s truly hard to beat, with challenging slopes like Delirium Dive that attract thrill-seeks from across the globe. It’s even been ranked among the most extreme runs on the planet and requires both avalanche gear and a buddy. The Southside Chutes on Goats Eye Mountain are ideal for those looking to tackle their first double black. Plus, the drive from Banff to the Sunshine Village will allow you to take in some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, including views across the Vermilion Lakes, where herds of elk can usually be spotted.
Tremblant, Quebec
In Northeast Canada, Mont Tremblant is the place to go. Located just 80 miles north of Montreal, this picturesque resort offers a storybook feel and epic powder for skiing. It’s frequently compared to European ski towns with its unique Quebecois culture while also providing access to four mountains and 665 acres of skiable terrain. There are over 2,000 feet of vertical drop, including Quebec’s steepest run, with something for everyone, including the experts. The walkable village offers a great apres-ski scene too, with a wide range of tasty international fare. You’ll find lots of other activities to take part in if you’re looking for something different, from snowmobiling to ice climbing.
Sun Peaks Resort, British Columbia
Canada’s second-largest ski area, Sun Peaks is a town of its own, complete with three linked mountains providing nearly 4,300 acres of incredibly diverse terrain with slopes for everyone from beginners to the advanced. Situated less than an hour from Kamloops in the British Columbia interior, it’s less visited than many of Canada’s other resorts which means it can be more enjoyable without thick crowds or long lines. And, after a day out on the slopes, there are a ton of attractions and activities and a long list of dining and shopping options.
The Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta
One of the other two resorts in Banff along with Sunshine Village, the Lake Louise Ski Resort is surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, nestled in the Canadian Rockies with a summit that’s over 8,650 feet high. It’s been named the country’s number one ski resort and is the largest in the region. The unique layout offers beginner, intermediate and expert runs from every chair, perfect for families or groups of varying abilities to ski while sharing the experience together. There are endless chutes, glades and gullies, gentle slopes, cruising runs and remote bowls along with some of the most challenging terrain in the Canadian Rockies. The terrain sits across four mountain faces and boasts 145 runs with more than 3,000 feet of vertical. The backside is often compared to the Back Bowls in Vail, Colorado, with double black chutes for extreme skiers. It’s even a regular stop on the World Cup Downhill racing itinerary.
Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia
Big White is definitely big – in fact, it’s home to Western Canada’s largest night skiing area and boasts 2,765 acres of skiable terrain which gets 300 inches of snowfall a year. Easily accessible an hour from Keowna, numerous publications have ranked it among the country’s top ski resorts, notably for its ski-in/ski-out convenience. It boasts exceptional terrain across Alberta and British Columbia, with Champagne powder slopes. It’s especially ideal for first powder turns, with regular snowfalls and lots of easy intermediate slopes.
Mount Norquay, Alberta
Mount Norquay is considered by many to be an underrated gem. It offers postcard-perfect views stretching across the spectacular Bow River Valley while the dramatic peaks of the Rockies rise beyond. It also happens to be relatively affordable and hosts diverse terrain spread over 190 acres with 60 runs, as well as being notable as a World Heritage Site. This is the birthplace of skiing in the Canadian Rockies and while it is a smaller resort it truly offers something for everyone, from beginners to the experts. The latter can expect to enjoy the steep double black which unforgiving moguls and more. The highlights here are the grooming and incredible views across Banff and the surrounding mountains – and, did we mention the opportunity to glimpse the dazzling northern lights?
Revelstoke, British Columbia
The historic town of Revelstoke is one of the snowiest places on Earth, surrounded by beautiful mountains peaks and hosts Revelstoke Mountain Resort. While it was once considered just a hill for locals, today, many come to enjoy it, including North America’s biggest vertical drop at a whopping 5,620 feet. While it can take some effort to get there, with Calgary four hours away or Kelowna’s regional airport two and a half hours away, that means you’ll rarely find big crowds. And, the town of Revelstoke itself offers lots of accommodation options, eateries and a wide variety of other activities like dog sledding and snowshoeing.
