Where to ski in Canada
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On foot, the scenery in Canada is enough to make your jaw drop. From high altitudes, carving up the slopes with the wind in your hair will take your breath away.
Expert skiers can test their limits with a seemingly endless supply of fresh powder and plenty of opportunities to ski bowls, head off-piste and hit the black runs. It’s the holy grail of heli-skiing destinations, too – dropping you in the centre of the freshest, most untouched terrain. Plummeting temperatures mean even low altitudes receive incredible snow conditions, so beginners won’t be disappointed either. Enjoy a true luxury experience on Canada’s slopes.
Whistler
Cruise along well-groomed trails, with deep pine forests and the calming blue hues of the Horstman Glacier at Whistler. Go off-piste and test yourself on the ridges and bowls which are sprinkled across Whistler Mountain, with some seriously steep gullies to get your adrenaline pumping.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences offer exceptional service 24 hours and a stunning setting in Whistler’s upper village. The rooms and suites command spectacular mountain views, and its restaurant Sidecut offers casual fine dining by firelight to end your day of skiing in style.
The Fairmont Chateau resembles a European fairytale castle, with its delicate turrets and twinkling lights against the mountainous backdrop. Its floor to ceiling glass windows give you a glorious panorama. For high-class dining The Chalet offers an intimate winter fondue menu, a candlelit dinner and optional horse-drawn sleigh ride for pure Winter Wonderland-themed opulence.
Banff
Standing on the main avenue at Banff resort gazing up at the otherworldly scenery is an experience in itself. With Lake Louise, Sunshine Village and Mt Norquay all within an hour’s drive, you can’t fault the skiing opportunities, or the prevalence of the powder here.
The Fairmont Banff Springs takes luxury very seriously. Within its Scottish baronial-style interior, darkened wood floors reflect the warm glow of log fires, bedroom decor is rich and opulent, and the elevated position provides glittering views of a sparkling snow-kissed landscape.
Foodies shouldn’t miss Post Hotel and Spa, which boasts a 30,500-bottle wine cellar and holds the Condé Nast Traveler’s ‘Best Food in the Americas’ award. Fondue Stubli has a mouth-watering fondue selection while the Wine Maker’s Dinner offers you the chance to sit down with a renowned winemaker and explore a special selection of wines, complemented with a tailored gourmet menu.
Panorama
Test your technique over a terrain etched with deep ridges, where you’ll be twisting, undulating, dipping and swerving. The runs at Panorama are an adventurous skier’s dream, with epic views and a village just five minutes from the mountain. For families, Panorama offers excellent childcare facilities and a kids’ ski school.
The spacious, modern condos at Upper Village in Panorama resort are a perfect and peaceful location to base yourself. Ski-in, ski-out access and the exquisite Panorama Springs Pool complex are all at your feet for evening relaxing. You can even enjoy a bite on the mountainside at Mile 1 Hut. With a rustic Mediterranean menu, a selection of fine local wines and warming drinks to enjoy round the fire pit, you’ll have to drag yourself back onto the slopes.
Make sure you try heli-skiing in Panorama too. R.K. Heli-skiing operation is a superb one-day introduction to heli-skiing in the stunning Canadian Rockies.
Big White
This is an ideal family resort catering for all abilities. Experienced skiers at Big White should waste no time in heading for the highest peaks for an off-piste experience in world-class powder. Younger family members or less hardened skiers can try snowshoeing, tubing, skating, snowmobiling, dog sledding, taking horse-drawn sleigh rides and Nordic skiing. Keep an eye out for the famous ‘Snow Ghost’ trees.
Stonebridge Lodge hosts the acclaimed 6 Degrees Bistro, as well as a well-equipped fitness centre and heated indoor-outdoor plunge pool. White Crystal Inn, like Stonebridge, has easy access to Lara’s Gondola and the Bullet Express Chair to get you mountainside in no time.
Sun Peaks
The peaceful, ski-through village of Sun Peaks has a magical atmosphere as you drop straight from the mountain with your skis on and glide through. Mount Todd is your go-to for black runs, Sundance for blues and greens, and Mount Morrisey for blues as well as long black mogul runs.
If you can drag yourself away from the indoor-outdoor heated pool, three hot tubs, sauna and steam room at Sun Peaks Grand, you can experience fine dining at Mantles Restaurant. Start the day with a homemade smoothie and a luxurious smoked salmon or duck breakfast platter to set you up for skiing, and look forward to an extensive wine list to be enjoyed in the evening alongside truffle fries, Canadian steak and spice-rubbed pork dishes.
Craig Burton is Managing Director of Did you enjoy this article?
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WOW!! That must be COOOL! I love skiing and enjoy the feeling of flying.If I get a chance, I definitely will go there. Thanks for sharing.
I have a friend who lives in Edmonton (about an hour away from Banff) who has promised me the next time I visit, we’re heading to Banff for the Fairmont Banff Springs, so I was really pleased to see this here. The hotel is amazing, and the ski slopes not too bad too! Canada has some amazing opportunities for skiing and good food and the people are always so friendly too.
I visited a friend of mine in Banff last year and was overwhelmed with the scenery. I want to revisit but this time with more luxurious accommodation. I think when you are going out every day in the cold for skiing, you need somewhere relaxing and comfortable to come back to. A spa fits that bill nicely.
I would love to move to Canada one day, but despite being a huge lover of winter and snow, I’ve never been! I really enjoy skiing, although I wouldn’t say I am particularly good at it. It’s really interesting reading about all of the scenic areas there are to go skiing, I’ve heard good things about Whistler and the photograph of it looks gorgeous. The Fairmont Chataeu sounds like a dream to stay at, I’m definitely going to have a look into that hotel; who doesn’t love fairytale castles?!
Canada is one of my favourite places, so much beautiful wilderness and the people are very friendly. Will have to keep these places in mind when booking my next skiing trip. Would love to be in a cosy hut with a hot chocolate surrounded by snowy landscape.
Banff looks like a really great place to go.
My boyfriend has just been to Whistler, Canada. Unfortunately, I could not join him, but seeing all the photos and videos from there… I was amazed. Going up to the glacier, zip lining, skiing, all these are great activities that I would loove to do !I am just a beginner, so a bit of an amateur skier, but it’s good to know these places and will bookmark them!
I have been to Banff and can totally recommend it also it really is stunning and we felt fully spilt after a hard day skiing. I am definitely intrigued by the others especially whistler. I shall add these to my to ski list thank you!