Where Snow And Adventure Are Meet The Soul
Canada has some of the best skiing in the world. Throw a dart at a map of Canada and chances are you’ll find a ski resort nearby. The Canadian love for the mountains, the snow, and outdoor adventure have resulted in some of the most charming ski resorts for beginners and experienced skiers alike. While the slopes may be your holiday’s true calling, the best ski resorts offer great facilities, après ski, off-piste and back country skiing too. These are our picks for the best ski spots in Canada this year.
Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
You can’t trust a list of the best ski resorts in Canada if it doesn’t include Whistler Blackcomb. It has over 200 runs that include beginner zones complete with an acclaimed ski school. There’s plenty of adventure for experienced skiers with its legendary powder bowls and glacier runs. If you really need an adrenaline fix, Condé Nast listed Couloir Extreme among its top nine most terrifying ski slopes in the world.
Be warned though, the queues for lifts can get pretty long, especially during weekends and holidays.
Off the slopes, you’ll find a vibrant village with great après-ski lounges, fine dining, and boutique shopping. Easy access from Vancouver is a big plus.
Mont Sutton, Québec
If a more relaxed atmosphere is what you’re looking for, then Mont Sutton is the place to be. Snuggled close to the US/Canadian border in Quebec, this under-the-radar resort offers one of the best mountain vacations for families and solo travellers alike. What’s unique about this resort is that 40 percent of the skiing is sous-bois (under the trees), a concept much fancier resorts in North America are just catching on to.
It’s one of the few places you’ll find untouched runs to yourself!
A free shuttle takes you up from town on weekends and holidays. Perfect for those looking for cheap ski vacations! Après-ski is simple and heartfelt: fireside meals, local beer, and friendly conversation instead of nightlife and noise.
Couple it with Mont Orford, Owl’s Head and Bromont for a longer road trip from Montreal.
The Powder Highway, British Columbia
Speaking of road trips, if you’re looking for adventure and lots of skiing, the Powder Highway offers one of the best snow holidays in the country. Winding through southeastern British Columbia, this scenic route connects eight legendary ski resorts — including Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Fernie, and Panorama — along with countless heli-ski and cat-ski operations. Every stop offers its own character: big mountain bowls, hidden glades, deep backcountry snow, and that laid-back mountain culture B.C. does best.
With challenging slopes and picturesque roads connecting ski resorts, this is a snow escape that reminds you that adventures aren’t just found at ski resorts but between them.
Mont Tremblant, Québec
You’ll find Mont Tremblant in Québec’s Laurentian Mountains. It gives you all the vibes of a European ski vacation minus the long flights there.
Mont Tremblant is a purpose-built ski resort which means you’ll find family-friendly activities along with a whole bunch of great slopes. Its gentle beginner slopes make it one of the best ski resorts in Canada for families and first-timers while more advanced skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of challenges to keep themselves entertained with scenic runs.
Only a 90-minute drive from Montréal, it’s the perfect escape for a long weekend. Stay in the village for ski-in, ski-out convenience, or unwind après-ski with live music and Québecois hospitality.
Sunshine Village & Banff, Alberta
Sunshine Village is one of the three separate ski areas, an hour’s drive from Banff. Since it’s located in an upper valley, you’ll find that the ski season is particularly long, from early November to early May. Offering some of the most reliable snow, you’ll find gentle beginner runs along with the experts-only Delirium Dive and Wild West sectors.
Only 90 minutes from Calgary, Sunshine Village and Banff are close enough for a quick getaway but far enough that you feel like you’ve been somewhere!
Packing For The Slopes — With Purpose
There’s more to the best ski resorts in Canada than just snow quality and vertical drops. They’re also about how they make you feel. Skiing in the Canadian mountains isn’t just about sport, it’s about connecting with nature, yourself, and your companions.
Get your warm layers ready, book your ski passes and accommodation and you’ll soon have one your best ski vacations ever waiting just around the corner.
