Canada may have blistery winters, but that also makes for amazing skiing seasons with plenty of fresh powder on the slopes. Yet with so many resorts to choose from, ski season can be a little overwhelming.
Sure, you could just hit the Powder Highway in BC, pick a resort, and have a blast. But if you want the absolute best ski resorts in Canada, we’ve got 12 of them right here.
1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
Vail Resorts’ Whistler Blackcomb — dubbed Whistler for short — is one of the premier ski resorts in North America, not just Canada. It spans two mountains, making it North America’s largest ski resort. Its proximity to the ocean also makes the climate ideal for skiing, as it gets upward of 35.5 feet of snow per ski season.
Whistler has skiing for all levels, from novice to expert, and its five terrain parks boast 90 rails and over 40 jumps. Plus, the Horstman Glacier allows Whistler to provide year-round skiing.
You can also ride in the 3-km-long Peak 2 Peak gondola that spans Whistler’s two mountaintops. This exhilarating ride offers a quick lift between mountains and gives you a fantastic view of the mountains and all the resort’s ski runs. It’s an amazing sight for skiers and non-skiers alike.
This resort and Whistler village also offer loads of après ski activities for everyone.
2. Lake Louise, Alberta
Nestled in the Canadian Rockies just 45 minutes from the town of Banff, you’ll find Lake Louise Ski Resort. This massive report boasts 4,200 acres of terrain to ski and has something for everyone, from the beginner to the extreme skier.
The resort gets an average of 15 feet of snow per season and features a balance of alpine bowls, steeps, chutes, and groomed runs. Plus, the all-new summit chair lift provides easy access to the 480-acre West Bowl area for intermediate and advanced skiers.
While Lake Louise has no overnight accommodations, you can visit the day-use facilities at the resort’s base. Here, you’ll find plenty of restaurants to grab a bite or get a drink. And being so close to Banff, you can find accommodations there if you plan to make this a multi-day ski vacation.
3. Mont Tremblant, Quebec
Just 1.5 hours north of Montreal, you’ll find one of the best ski resorts in Canada: Mont Tremblant. This European-style skiing village is a treat for skiers and non-skiers alike and features numerous well-groomed trails and over 100 expert-level trails for more advanced skiers.
Mont Tremblant is also a family-friendly resort with a ski school, play centres, snowshoeing, fat biking, and even cross-country skiing.
And after a full day of skiing, you can enjoy the vibrant nightlife in the town, making for a complete experience.
4. Sunshine Village, Alberta
Located just 9 miles southwest of Banff, Alberta, Sunshine Village features one of the longest ski seasons, from early November through mid-May, so you have plenty of time to take in the slopes.
Sunshine Village also features terrain for all levels, from beginner to advanced, and has perfect natural powder — it gets 23 feet each season. It’s also home to the only ski-in and ski-out resort in Banff and state-of-the-art lifts, including Canada’s only heated lift. You can also find additional accommodation in the town of Banff, and it’s only a 20-minute drive.
On top of wonderful skiing, there are outstanding restaurants and shops at the base of the mountain, in the village, and at Goat’s Eye.
5. Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia
Big White Ski Report is another of the best ski resorts in Canada, thanks to its impeccable powder, open views, and balance of beginner, intermediate, and expert runs. Plus, the family-friendly resort at the base offers ski-in and ski-out accommodation.
Here, you can explore 2,700 acres of skiable terrain, with 39 of those acres offering lighting for night skiing.
Best of all, Big White recently added a new $500,000 groomer to its fleet, ensuring the runs are well manicured and ready for all levels of skiers. Need to rent skis and boots? The state-of-the-art laser system electronically measures you so you always get the perfect fit.
This resort is located in the Okanagan Valley near the city of Kelowna.
6. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia
Just a 2.5-hour drive from Kelowna is the Revelstone Mountain Resort, home to some of the most amazing powder in Canada and some of the smallest crowds. The trade-off is it’s a bit more challenging than most other resorts to get to, and it lacks the five-star accommodation of the more popular resorts.
However, the skiing at Revelstoke Mountain Resort is unmatched, and you can find affordable accommodation in the town of, you guessed it, Revelstoke. Plus, the ski-in and ski-out facilities at the resort are convenient, and the scenery is unbeatable.
You can choose from a wide range of terrain for all skill levels, from beginner to expert, and there’s always fresh powder — 30 feet of it per season.
7. Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Canada’s second-largest ski resort is Sun Peaks, though it remains relatively unknown outside of Canada. This report spans three mountains and has a variety of terrains for every level of skier, including steeps, cruisers, and tree skiing. That said, Sun Peaks’ focus is on the beginner and intermediate skier, making it one of the more family-friendly resorts.
The resort also gets consistent snowfall — 18 feet per year — and boasts a European-style ski town at the base. The village offers convenient ski-in and ski-out accommodations and facilities. Plus, you’ll find no shortage of restaurants and shops to explore.
If you’re looking for a change of pace, you can take a short, 45-minute drive to the city of Kamloops.
8. SilverStar Mountain Resort, British Columbia
This ski resort has fewer beginner areas than others in the area, but it makes up for that with more expert areas than most others. This makes it a top destination for the advanced skier and those looking for a challenge. The resort gets 23 feet of snowfall annually and boasts perfect, dry powder for optimal skiing conditions.
At the base of the resort is a quaint ski town with all the buildings painted in bright colors and following a similar design theme. While the slopes are more geared toward experts, the town is family-friendly.
You’ll find SilverStar in the Okanagan Valley, just a short distance from Kelowna.
9. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia
You'll find the lesser-known Kicking Horse Mountain Resort just outside Golden, BC and a three-hour drive from Calgary. Don’t let its relative obscurity scare you away. This mountain resort boasts 4,133 feet of verticals and gets 24 feet of snow annually.
Kicking Horse is known for its superb expert terrain, steeps, glades, and hike-to powder runs. However, it also has three bowls that lead to more gentle intermediate and beginner terrain, making it a family-friendly resort.
Kicking Horse’s mountain is north-facing, so it has quality powder all season long.
10. Red Mountain Resort, British Columbia
A favorite among advanced and expert skiers, Red Mountain Resort is best known for its incredible tree skiing. Red Mountain is one of the more secluded Canadian ski resorts, as it’s located near Rossland, but the trade-off is an uncrowded mountain with lots of room to roam. It also has an old-school charm and comes at a lower cost than most other resorts.
Red Mountain Resort gets 25 feet of snow annually, and its powder days are incredible for skiing.
Despite boasting excellent skiing and snowboarding terrain, Red Mountain still has some runs for beginner and intermediate skiers among its 4,200 acres of terrain. So, you can bring the whole family along for the trip.
11. Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia
Whether it’s a day trip, a weeklong ski holiday, or an entire wintertime getaway, Fernie Alpine Resort is a great option. Nestled in western Canada (along with many other of the best ski resorts in Canada), this resort gets 30 feet of snow annually and has a wonderful balance of terrains for all skill levels.
There’s a small ski village at the base of the resort with a collection of restaurants, hotels, ski-in and ski-out accommodations, and more. To avoid the high costs of staying at the resort, many folks stay in the town of Fernie, which is a traditional ski town.
12. Blue Mountain Resort, Ontario
You’ll find the family-friendly Blue Mountain Resort just over two hours north of Toronto. As one of the top skiing destinations in Ontario, this resort may lack elevation, but it has amazing terrain that stretches along the Niagara Escarpment. It’s also large, so it can handle the huge crowds it attracts.
The resort boasts many luxury hotels and accommodations, high-end stores, and more, making it one of the more posh resorts on our list. If you want the full luxury ski lodge feeling, try the Westin Trillium House.
Drive to the Best Ski Resorts in Canada in a Quality Used Vehicle
Do you have your ski holiday all planned out but need a quality used car to get you there? Clutch has a huge selection of quality used cars ready for your big trip. We also have plenty of used all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles to better handle the slippery terrain you’re bound to encounter.
You know you’ll get a quality vehicle at Clutch because they’ve all been through a 210-point inspection and reconditioning process to ensure they’re ready for the road. We’ll also throw in our 90-Day (or 6,000-km) Protection Plan and nationwide roadside assistance. You can add one of our nationwide Extended Warranties for even more protection.
If you’re unsure about purchasing a vehicle 100% online, you can buy confidently knowing that Clutch also includes a 10-Day Money-Back Guarantee on every car we sell. If you don’t love your Clutch used vehicle, you can exchange it for a new one or return it for a no-questions-asked refund.
Check out our inventory of quality used vehicles and choose a model that suits your needs. You can even set up financing and get your trade-in vehicle appraised entirely online. It doesn’t get any easier than that.
