10 Best Ski Resorts to visit in Canada
Canada is World wide well known for winter Olympic Games, winter sports like ice hockey and figure skating. But how about skiing and how about Canadian Ski resorts?
While most of Canada is somewhat flat, prairie like low lands, still, there are indeed one of the best ski resorts in the World located in Canada. If we think back, Winter Olympic Games were hosted in Calgary 1988 and Vancouver in 2010 and the whole World was impressed on what Canada has to offer! Most of Canadian Ski resorts are located on the West Coast of the country, but some ski resorts located on the East Coast have made the top 10 list of Vest Ski Resorts to visit in Canada.
So hang tight, here’s our list of the top Canadian resorts:
1. WHISTLER BLACKCOMB
Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America! Many are attracted to the mountain town with an undisputed atmosphere or to the ski-in/ski-out lodging. Visitors from all around the World seek the unique outdoor adventures that range from just-enough to over-the-top. From the world-famous après-ski, five star dining, spas, shopping, or nightlife, Whistler Blackcomb has everything a skier can wish for. The Mountain range is massive, Whistler Blackcomb combines over 200 runs, serviced by 37 lifts, 3,307 ha of skiable terrain that can accommodate every type of skiers. Like all best ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb comes with heavier price, unlimited season pass costs $1255 CAD and a day pass $167 CAD during the first week in 2023 when booked in advance.
Highlights:
PRO
- Massive variety of incredible terrain
- Easy to access from Vancouver
- Full of amenities and après ski to keep everyone well entertained
CON
- Expensive place to ski and crowds can be an issue
Closest airports
Vancouver Intl. Airport – 137 km (2 hour drive)
2. MONT TREMBLANT
Mont Tremblant is a ski resort marvel of the Canadian Region of Quebec, located on the East side of the country. Mount Tremblant’s ski area covers 305 hectares (755 acres) and includes 102 ski trails on 4 distinct slopes and 14 ski lifts/gondolas for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Its longest ski trail, Nansen in 6 km long. Beside its gorgeous ski mountain and well groomed terrain, this amazing ski resort is famous for its picturesque European-style village at the base. Even if you are not a skier, visiting Mont Tremblant ski village is very worth a while. It is equipped with a full range of luxury hotels, fine dining, shopping, trendy bars and family friendly activities. Located only 1.5 hours from Montreal and about 2 hours from Ottawa. Daily ski ticket for the first week in January is $145 CAD.
View Mount Tremblant Season Passes
Highlights
PRO
- World class terrain for everyone
- Stunning Ski Village
- Beautiful scenery
CON
- Expensive place to ski and weekend crowds
3. LAKE LOUISE
Lake Louise is Canadian epic ski resort located in Banff National Park Alberta. With over 4200 acres of diverse terrain, 164 runs and longest expanding trail with over 8km, Lake Louise ski resort has well-groomed ski runs for beginner, intermediate, and experts. It is only 45 minutes from the town of Banff, and could be reached very easily by car or bus. It is World famous for its amazing scenery. Lake Louise is unique lake with turquoise blue colour that will mesmerize every visitor.
View Lake Louise Season Passes
Highlights
PRO
- World class terrain for everyone
- Stunning scenery
- Longest seasons in North America (6 months)
CON
- Expensive place to ski
4. SUNSHINE VILLAGE
Banff Sunshine Village’s unique location is only a 15-minute drive from the town of Banff. Located 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Banff ski resorts are famous for the longest ski season in Canada, seven month ski season stretches from early November until late May. It has 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, ranging from gentle, beginner runs all the way up to the most extreme big mountain runs. Sunshine Village has 12 modern lifts that includes Canadas only heated chair lift. Delirium Dive has been named one of the top ten off-piste destinations in the world.
View Sunshine Village Season Passes
View Sunshine Village Trail Map
Highlights
PRO
- Plenty of natural dry snow
- Modern lifts – including a heated one
- Longest seasons in North America
CON
- Crowded on weekends and limited evening activities and dining
5. BIG WHITE
Big White Ski Resort, or simply Big White, is located 56 km (35 mi) southeast of Kelowna, British Columbia. Big White is also the third largest resort in British Columbia, after Whistler-Blackcomb and Sun Peaks. Big White summit is at 2,319 m (7,608 ft) with a vertical drop of 777 m (2,549 ft) , has 2,765 acres (11 km2) with beautifully groomed and natural trails serviced by 16 lifts. Big White has western Canada’s largest resort night skiing area with 38 acres. Famous for its off-piste terrain because there is abundant snowfall and groomed trails that provide excellent conditions for tree skiing. Adult daily tickets start at $93 CAD.
Highlights
PRO
- Tons of powder
- Biggest ski-in/ski-out village in Canada
- Largest night skiing area in Western Canada
CON
- Low visibility and can get crowded
6. MOUNT NORQUAY
Mount Norquay is the smallest of the three resorts in Banff, which means you will have more fun skiing rather than waiting for the lift. Although smaller in size, the resort still offers 190 acres of skiable terrain, 20 acres of night skiing, serviced by 6 lifts and offers an undeniably breathtaking view of the region. Adult all season pass is $799 CAD.
Highlights
PRO
- Uncrowded ski area, ideal for beginners
- Inexpensive place to ski
- Diverse ski terrain
CON
- Small ski area and lack of on-mountain lodging
7. SUN PEAKS
Sun Peaks Ski resort is massive, 4,270 acres of skiable terrain that includes three mountains surround a European-style, ski-through village filled with all kinds of restaurants, bars, stores, hotels, lodges and private condos. It offers 138 trails, 19 graded areas, serviced by 13 lifts with over 34 km groomed and track set Nordic trails, Sun Peak will make every skiers heart pound harder. You can drive to Sun Peaks or catch a shuttle bus to the resort from Kamloops Airport or Kelowna Airport. As the second largest ski resort, the lift tickets don’t come cheap, adult season pass is $1259 for a pre season buy.
Highlights
PRO
- Family-friendly mountain and village, lots of apres ski activities
- Diverse terrain with impeccably groomed slopes
- Not as crowded as Whistler
CON
- Expansive lift tickets
8. REVELSTOKE
Revelstoke his famous for terrain with the biggest vertical in North America and as one of the hosts of the Freeskiing World Tour. Revelstoke also holds the record for the most snowfall in Canada in a single winter at 80 ft or a jaw dropping 2,438 cm. It offers,1,263 hectares (3,121 acres) of ski terrain with 75 runs serviced by 8 passenger gondola, 4 passenger chair lifts and magic carpets. It is located beside the Town of Revelstoke British Columbia, 2,5 hour drive from Kelowna. The resort management is planning a major expansion, the plan calls for the construction of as many as 25 lifts in total, which could be the biggest ski resort in North America.
View Revelstoke Season Pass Prices
Highlights
PRO
- Biggest vertical drop in North America; loads of snow
- Slopes are generally less crowded
- Cat-skiing and heli-skiing available from the same base
CON
- Limited dining at the base village and slopes are not ideal for beginners
9. FERNIE ALPINE
Fernie Alpine Ski Resort is located on Lizard Range, near the town of Fernie, British Columbia, delivering over 2500 acres of skiable terrain, 142 named runs, 5 alpine bowls, making Fernie a true winter playground for skiers and riders of all levels. Fernie is famous for reliable powder with a historical average of up to 11 m each winter. Amazing ski runs at Fernie are not supported with many options at the base if you wish to seek out accommodation and dining. Town of Fernie is around 8 km away or at Kimberley resort which is around 90 minutes where many Fernie Alpine skiers stay at.
View Fernie Alpine Ski Ticket Information
Highlights
PRO
- Tons of light, dry powder
- World-class expert terrain
- Nearby town of Fernie has dog sledding, climbing wall and more
CON
- Basic amenities at the base
10. PANORAMA MOUNTAIN RESORT
Panorama Mountain Resort offers a variety of terrain with 2975 acres, 135 named trails, 10 lifts and one alpine snowcat shuttle. Panorama is famous for powder seekers that will be charging towards the extreme terrain at the top of the mountain, Taynton Bowl which is also the longest run ant the resort with 6.5 km run. The small village is purpose-built for the resort, and features an abundance of ski-in/ski-out accommodations. The village, has many shopping and dining properties a skating rink, a pool complex that includes swimming pools, hot tubs, and water slides.
View Panorama Ski Ticket and Passes Options
Honourable mentions:
Red Mountain Resort – British Columbia
Blue Mountain Resort – Ontario
