Contents
Products are independently selected by our editors. We may earn an affiliate commission from links.
The ingredients to a perfect ski destination are as follows: breathtaking scenery, fresh powder, diverse (and challenging!) terrain, modern facilities, and a strong après scene. Our neighbors to the north? They deliver on all of the above, and then some. Indeed, the best skiing in Canada hits all the marks when it comes to a world-class ski destination.
British Columbia has the lion’s share of Canada’s ski resorts, with the iconic Powder Highway running through the region’s Kootenay Rockies. Here you can expect adrenaline-fueled adventures, like heli-skiing, as well as quintessential ski towns and luxury backcountry lodges. Eastern Canada also has a ski scene worth checking out (more on that below), and is especially appealing for those living in New York City where reaching Quebec is only an hour-and-a-half flight.
This winter, rather than frequenting the same old slopes, head north for Canada’s world-famous ski resorts and enjoy the country’s impressive amount of snow and impeccable terrain.
Whistler Blackcomb
No doubt the best-known ski resort in Canada, Whistler Blackcomb offers 8,100 acres of terrain stitched together by two interconnected mountains (the largest skiable area in all of North America, in fact). The resort is beloved for several reasons—perhaps most notably thanks to the diverse runs available for all skill levels. The world-famous scenery is also a big draw, as are the world-class facilities (think: on-mountain lodges, high-speed lifts, and plenty of restaurants and après ski bars).
The resort is about two hours north of Vancouver and has the world’s longest continuous lift system with a gondola that connects the peaks of Whistler and Blackcomb. These side-by-side mountains receive an average of 34 feet of snowfall annually across their 200 marked runs, 16 alpine bowls, and three glaciers. Whether you’re a first-timer, carving with the entire family, or an expert in search of backcountry powder, Whistler Blackcomb has it all… and then some.
Where to Stay
Resembling a European Alpine vignette, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler has rich wood interiors, roaring fireplaces, and spacious guest rooms. The heated outdoor pool and three whirlpools have panoramic views of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains and are open all year long. Book a private full-day lesson through the resort’s ski concierge, followed by an indulgent treatment at the spa. Nita Lake Lodge offers a boutique hotel experience and is serenely positioned by Whistler Creek. Guests can enjoy the rooftop hot tubs (cue the mountain scenery), a barrel sauna, and festive holiday programming throughout the holiday season.
Book Four Seasons Resort WhistlerBook Nita Lake Lodge
Lake Louise
Nestled in the heart of Banff National Park in Alberta, Lake Louise Ski Resort is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. With four mountain faces of diverse terrain and 164 breathtaking runs (the longest goes for five miles), there is plenty on offer for skiers of all skill levels, from bowls and tree-lined pistes to long groomed trails. This being the Canadian Rockies, expect postcard-level beauty when visiting Lake Louise.
When you’re not skiing, slip into a pair of snowshoes to traverse the snowy wilderness, or hike the icefalls of Johnston Canyon. If a spin around the ice skating rink sounds more your speed, head for the magical locale at Chateau Ski & Snow. Or perhaps a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride for a winter wonderland moment? From ice fishing and snow tubing, hot springs to sightseeing gondolas, Lake Louise is replete with wintertime activities even beyond the ski experience.
Where to Stay
Step back in time at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise—a Renaissance Revival property that was built over 100 years ago as an alpinist base and is now a member of the Historic Hotels of America. In its early days, the resort attracted the likes of Christopher Reeve, Alfred Hitchcock, and Marilyn Monroe, earning it the nickname of the “Hollywood North” during the early 20th century. Present-day guests can relish their elegant surroundings in one of the property’s many food and beverage options, from cocktails at the Fairview Bar to small bites at the Alpine Social.
Book Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Revelstoke
This remote ski town on the banks of the Columbia River sits between Canada’s Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges and is in the world’s only inland temperate rainforest. It’s infamous for being tedious to reach (six hours west of Calgary International Airport or three hours east of the regional airport in Kelowna), but once you arrive, all annoyances are quickly forgotten—Revelstoke is pure magic.
The mountain receives over 34 feet of light, fluffy snow annually and is home to the largest vertical drop in North America at 5,620 feet. There are over three thousand skiable acres and 75 runs, with plenty of diversity catering to all skill levels. The village itself epitomizes small-town charm and has been the filming location for not one, not two, but three Hallmark holiday films.
Where to Stay
Eleven Revelstoke Lodge is conveniently situated downtown and occupies a charming red brick building that dates back to 1911. The property is intimate, offering just 12 suites, plus a gear room, rooftop bar, hot tub and cold plunge, four massage treatment rooms, and an underground speakeasy. During the winter season, the lodge operates as a home base for Eleven’s heli-ski program and guides small groups around British Columbia’s world-famous Monahsee tree skiing zones.
Book Eleven Revelstoke Lodge
Red Mountain Resort
This lesser-known, no-frills ski destination in British Columbia (composed of three mountains: Red, Granite, and Grey) is known for its uncrowded slopes and challenging runs. Red Mountain Resort receives an average of 305 inches of snowfall annually and there are 119 marked runs across 3,850 acres (with a 2,919-foot vertical drop and the longest run coming in at 4.3 miles). The closest major airport is Spokane, Washington, where it’s then about a two-and-a-half hour drive to reach the resort.
What it might lack in beginner-friendly slopes—around 17%—it more than makes up for in dynamic terrain (it’s considered one of the best destinations for tree skiing in North America). Red also offers cat skiing throughout the interior BC Kootenay region, opening up access to thousands of acres of untracked glades and bowls. After a day on the mountain, head for the quiet village of Rossland. This former mining town retains its 19th-century charms through historic architecture, plus a winter carnival that’s been held since 1898.
Where to Stay
The Josie (part of Autograph Collection Hotels) offers ski-in, ski-out access to the mountain with its 106 guest rooms and suites. There’s an on-property restaurant, cedar barrel saunas, and a spa where guests can book a massage after a day on the slopes.
Book The Josie Hotel
Banff Sunshine Village
Perched up on the continental divide of the Americas in Banff National Park, this ski resort features three mountains worth of skiable terrain that caters to powder pups and hounds alike. Banff Sunshine Village (nicknamed the ‘Island in the Sky’) has an average of 30 feet of snow annually and 137 runs stretching across 3,358 acres. The notably long ski season runs from early November to late May, and the mountain’s ‘Delirium Drive’ is regarded as one of the top off-piste destinations in the world. In a word, it’s distinct.
Banff Sunshine Village is a 15-minute drive from the mountain town of Banff, making it easy to traverse from slope to après with ease. Explore its charming main street that’s peppered with galleries, shops, and restaurants. And keep an eye open for wildlife—if you’re lucky enough, you might spot elk or a grizzly bear.
Where to Stay
The Sunshine Mountain Lodge bills itself as the only mountaintop hotel in Banff, making it a go-to choice for skiers. The rooms have beautiful views and natural gas fireplaces, and the property offers a massive outdoor hot tub as well as a cedar-lined dry sauna. Another favorite pick in the area is Fairmont Banff Springs, which opened in the late 1800s and continues to live up to its nickname of Canada’s ‘Castle in the Rockies’. The Rimrock Banff is also a majestic choice, offering eye-popping views of the Bow River and surrounding Rockies (particularly from a table at its on-property dining experience, Eden.)
Book Sunshine Mountain LodgeBook Fairmont Banff SpringsBook The Rimrock Banff
Mont Tremblant
About a 90-minute drive north of Montreal tucked away in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec lies Mont Tremblant. This ski destination in Eastern Canada is known for both its namesake mountain (one of the highest peaks in the Laurentians at 2871 feet) and its pedestrian village that feels plucked from a European fairytale. (Listen closely and you’ll hear locals speaking Québécois French.)
The ski area covers 755 acres and offers 102 ski trails on four different slopes. And you won’t have to worry about snowfall—thanks to the resort’s investment in over 1,200 powerful snow guns, skiers can enjoy reliable runs. After a day on the mountain, head to Le P'tit Caribou for a laidback Bloody Caesar among your fellow skiers on its lake-facing terrace.
Where to Stay
Resting by Lake Tremblant, Hôtel Quintessence is a beautiful boutique hotel offering 30 suites, all with wood-burning fireplaces and views of the lake. There’s an on-property restaurant as well as a wine bar that has live music on Friday evenings. And don’t sleep on the spa amenities—an outdoor pool and hot tub, dry sauna, steam bath, gym, and massage rooms will sort out any post-ski stiffness.
Book Hotel Quintessence