It’s time to begin enthusiastic about your plans for ski season. Fortunately, when you’re wherever near Western Canada (or planning to go to), you routinely have entry to a number of the finest ski resorts in North America. Listed here are the highest seven ski resorts in Western Canada that must be on the highest of your “to-ski” listing.
1. Whistler Blackcomb, BC
Whistler Blackcomb is constantly named certainly one of Canada’s finest ski resorts. In actual fact, that is the biggest ski resort in North America with the best uphill raise capability. It additionally has the second-largest vertical drop in North America. Individuals journey from throughout the globe to get a possibility to ski right here. Roughly two million guests come to Whistler Blackcomb yearly.
A Peak 2 Peak gondola on the high helps skiers go in between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. Between the 2 mountains, skiers have 1000’s of acres to discover. And for anybody in search of a novel expertise, heliskiing takes you away from the crowds and allows you to ski in uncharted areas. In whole, Whistler Blackcomb has 5 terrain parks with 90 rails and over 40 jumps.
Whenever you’re not breaking a sweat on the mountain, you’ll love the apres-ski choices in Whistler. This mountain is British Columbia’s get together city and other people like to flock right here for a good time. You’ll have numerous bars, unbelievable eating places, and even nightclubs to fill your post-ski nights.
By way of @whistlerblackcomb on Instagram
2. Lake Louise, Alberta
Lake Louise Ski Resort is Alberta’s gorgeous resort positioned in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. With over 4,200 skiable acres, the resort has every part you can need from alpine bowls, groomed runs, steeps, and chutes.
Of all of the ski resorts in Alberta, Lake Louise is especially in style with households, because it provides a lot versatility. You’ll discover one thing right here for all ranges of skiers, from novices to specialists. Lately, a brand new chairlift was put in to offer individuals entry to the West Bowl space. This opened up 480 new acres to discover, however this space is really helpful just for intermediate and superior skiers.
Lake Louise Ski Resort doesn’t have onsite lodgings, however you’ll find loads of locations to seize meals and a drink whenever you’re completed conquering the mountain.
By way of @skilouise on Instagram
3. Solar Peaks, BC
After Whistler Blackcomb, Solar Peaks might be British Columbia’s hottest ski resort. Solar Peaks is Canada’s second-largest ski resort with 137 runs and 4,270 acres of skiable terrain. The runs are damaged as much as be 10% for novices, 58% for intermediate, and 32% for skilled skiers, so there’s one thing for everybody!
You even have 13 lifts at Solar Peaks, so even at peak busy season, you’re by no means ready too lengthy for a trip. Essentially the most adventurous skier might need to go off the guided trails and discover the 19 kilometres of backcountry trails on the resort.
Should you’re visiting right here, you must keep straight on the resort at one of many many inns providing ski-in, ski-out lodging. Image getting up within the morning, having your espresso, and instantly getting out on the slopes!
By way of @sunpeaksresort on Instagram
4. Huge White, BC
Huge White is like BC’s not-so-well-kept secret. Most vacationers flock to Whistler and Solar Peaks, leaving Huge White for the locals. Not that they’re complaining, it is a nice resort, and it’s actually stunning it’s no more well-known.
In whole, Huge White has greater than 2,700 acres of ski terrain and 16 lifts. There are 119 designated trails damaged up as 18% newbie, 54% intermediate, 22% skilled, and 6% excessive. A bit of the resort is lit up at night time, permitting for night time snowboarding.
And, when you ever want a break from snowboarding, you’ve got loads of different winter actions to select from on this mountain, together with snowmobiling, canine sledding, mountaineering, and tubing.
Much like Solar Peaks, Huge White provides loads of ski-in, ski-out lodging proper on the resort. Should you don’t need to keep within the resort, charming Kelowna is just a brief drive away and has many inns to select from.
By way of @skibigwhite on Instagram
5. Sunshine Village, Alberta
Positioned in Banff Regional Park, Sunshine Village Ski Resort is as breathtaking as it’s enjoyable. The resort guarantees to have one thing for all sorts of skiers, starting from runs which are simple greens to difficult double backs.
With greater than 3,300 acres throughout three mountains and 12 lifts, you’ll be able to simply discover every part Sunshine Village provides. And, you’ll get to discover in consolation because the resort has Canada’s solely heated chair raise!
Whereas the resort has loads of choices for novices, it’s positively a fan favourite with excessive skiers. The run often called Delirium Dive has been named one of many high ten off-piste locations on this planet. And, roughly 50% of the runs at Sunshine Village are marked for intermediate skiers.
On common, the resort sees 30 toes of sentimental, white snow in a season, giving skiers loads to work with. You’ll be able to keep straight on the resort (at a ski-in, ski-out lodging), however most individuals select to remain in Banff, solely 20 minutes away.
By way of @sunshinevillage on Instagram
6. Fernie Alpine Resort, BC
Fernie Alpine Resort is one other certainly one of BC’s magical winter getaways. This resort is alleged to get probably the most annual snowfall of all of the resorts in Western Canada, giving skiers the powdery trip of their goals. In whole, Fernie has over 2,500 acres of terrain, 142 runs, and 5 alpine bowls. You get entry to seven chair lifts, with the longest run being 5 kilometers.
Fernie isn’t the mountain for excessive skiers however is great for households and novices. One other profit is that you simply don’t should cope with the identical crowds you get in resorts like Whistler or Solar Peaks.
A small ski village on the base of the mountain is ideal for lodging and grabbing apres-ski food and drinks. Should you don’t need to keep on the resort, you’ll be able to choose to remain within the close by city of Fernie.
By way of @ferniealpineresort on Instagram
7. Kicking Horse Resort, BC
Positioned roughly 6.4 kilometers outdoors of Golden, BC, Kicking Horse Resort is the sixth-largest ski resort in North America. Skiers get entry to virtually 3,500 acres of terrain and 120 trails. The mountain has three massive bowls that converge down right into a extra mild terrain, the place skiers have choices for intermediate and newbie runs. This resort additionally has the fifth greatest vertical in North America!
Kicking Horse has lovely panorama views and provides lodging onsite. It makes for a fantastic weekend getaway on a quieter resort. You gained’t should struggle for chair lifts and also you’ll get in all of the routes that you simply probably need.
By way of @kickinghorsemtn on Instagram
These seven ski resorts are a number of the finest Western Canada has to supply – honorable mentions embody Revelstoke, SilverStar, and Apex. The toughest half is selecting only one to go to each winter!
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