Whistler Blackcomb
Photo by David McColm
Location: Whistler, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 121KM - 1 hour 40 min
1 Day lift ticket: $135.00
Annual snowfall: 1,168cm
Number of lifts: 37
Total runs: 200
Whistler ski resort is in a class of its own and is justifiably considered one of the hottest ski destinations in the world. Their Peak 2 Peak gondola, alpine bowls, 200 runs and glaciers make for an incredible mountain experience. It’s consistently rated not just one of the best ski resorts in BC, but one of the best in the world.
The Whistler ski resort is massive and it offers amazing terrain diversity and a very efficient lift system. However Whistler is so much more than just the skiing and snowboarding and a Whistler ski holiday can also include an abundance of off-slope activities. The pedestrian-only Whistler Village is full of restaurants, bars and plenty of shops to delight any shopper-holic.
Whistler hosted the alpine skiing events of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics as well as the bobsled, luge and skeleton events. Whistler is a household name in the skiing and snowboarding fraternity. Whistler Blackcomb is a mega-resort!
Mount Washington
Photo by Mount Washington
Location: Courtenay, BC.
Distance from Vancouver: 211KM – 4 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $89.00
Annual snowfall: 1,158cm
Number of lifts: 9
Total runs: 81
It’s just a stone’s throw to Vancouver Island, home of BC’s picturesque Mount Washington Alpine Resort, where you can enjoy views of the Pacific while barreling down one of their 81 designated runs. Add to this an incredibly high annual snowfall (11.5m/38ft), excellent powder conditions (top 10 Best Powder by Ski Canada Magazine), and surprisingly mild winter temperatures (-2°C/28°F), and a winter activity mecca is inevitable.
The alpine village has great ski-in, ski-out accommodations and the mountain also has one of North America’s best Nordic Centres.
Apex mountain resort
Photo by Preserved Light Photography
Location: Hedley, BC.
Distance from Vancouver: 389KM – 3.5 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $80.00
Annual snowfall: 600cm
Number of lifts: 4
Total runs: 73
Apex Mountain Resort remains one of the hidden gems of Canadian skiing. Located a short 30 minute drive from Penticton, BC, Apex is a full service destination resort with quality snow, great weather, incredible terrain, and friendly people.
Apex being located in the heart of the Okanagan Valley, features the perfect mix between large amounts of precipitation and low humidity that makes for the lightest champagne powder snow imaginable. Smiles stretch from ear to ear, as locals and visitors alike hoot and holler amongst the glades & open terrain, leaving clouds of powdery snow to lightly settle behind them
If you’re new to snowy terrain, Apex Mountain Resort also offers snow school and ski clubs suitable for all age groups and skill levels.
Sun peaks Resort
Photo by Sun Peaks Resort
Location: Sun Peaks, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 412KM– 4 hours 20 min
1 Day lift ticket: $80.00
Annual snowfall: 600cm
Number of lifts: 4
Total runs: 73
Sun Peaks has an abundance of activities and events for both on and off the slopes leaving you wishing for more time at Canada's second largest ski area. Deep steeps, long cruisers, tree runs & gladded areas, powder stashes and corduroy groomers can all be found within 4,270 acres of skiable terrain. Sun Peaks is a hidden gem, the terrain is top class and you can enjoy incredible terrain without the long lift lines. Three mountains surround a European-style, ski-through village filled with quaint shops, cafes and eateries.
Big white ski resort
Photo by Big White Resort
Location: Kelowna, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 451KM – 5 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $95.00
Annual snowfall: 749cm
Number of lifts: 15
Total runs: 118
If you really want to embrace the mountain lifestyle, make sure to stay over at Canada’s largest ski-in, ski-out resort village. At Big White, great skiing and snowboarding is literally at your doorstep!
Big White ski resort is ideal for families because it’s so easy to get around, and there are lots of family friendly activities and facilities such as the award winning Kid’s Centre. The resort is also loved just as much by those travelling childfree.
Silver Star mountain resort
Photo by Silverstar Mountain Resort
Location: Silverstar Mountain, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 487KM – 5 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $96.00
Annual snowfall: 701cm
Number of lifts: 11
Total runs: 132
Champagne powder and varied terrain attract every kind of skier to BC’s third largest ski area. The colourful mid-mountain village offers true ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes, and with four distinct mountain faces and 132 runs, the progressive terrain is perfect for learning.
For the more adventurous, the backside of the mountain is an uncrowded paradise of over 1,900 acres of steep and deep, black and double black diamond runs.
Revelstoke Mountain resort
Photo by Garrett Grove Photograph
Location: Revelstoke, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 571KM – 6 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $99.00
Annual snowfall: 1400cm
Number of lifts: 5
Total runs: 65
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a ski area located in British Columbia, Canada, just outside of the town of Revelstoke. This BC ski area offers 5,620 feet of vertical and a longest run of 9.5 miles, dropping from the top of Mount Mackenzie (summit elevation 8,058 feet) to a bustling base village.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort provides 3,121 acres of skiable terrain spread out over glades, high alpine bowls, fall line skiing and groomed terrain.
Skiers and riders have access to 65 runs serviced by 5 lifts. Revelstoke is the only resort in the world offering lift, cat, heli and back-country skiing from one village base.
You can read more in the local guide to Revelstoke.
Red mountain resort
Photo by Ryan Flett / Red Resort
Location: Rossland, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 615 KM – 7 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $92.00
Annual snowfall: 762cm
Number of lifts: 7
Total runs: 110
Red Mountain ski culture has some serious roots, dating all the way back to the 1890s when BC’s gold rush welcomed a great number of Scandinavians and their love of skiing. With 300"/7.6m of annual snowfall, wide-open groomed runs, epic vertical (2,919ft/890m), in-bounds cat-skiing, 360 degree descents off select peaks, a rich tradition, and the best tree runs in BC, it's no wonder The NY Times voted RED Mountain their #8 "Best Place in the World to Visit in 2013." RED's other recent accolades include #1 in Powder's "Ski Town Throwdown," and "Most Underrated Resort" by Skiing
RED Mountain is the last great, unspoiled resort. Located in Rossland, BC, along the famous "Powder Highway."
Kicking horse mountain resort
Photo by Dave Best/Resorts of the Canadian Rockies
Location: Golden, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 723KM –7 hours 30 min
1 Day lift ticket: $104.95
Annual snowfall: 749cm
Number of lifts: 5
Total runs: 129
If you want big mountains, you’ve got to go to the Rockies, which is exactly where you’ll find Kicking Horse, the champagne powder capital of Canada. Here you’ll find great ski runs for the whole family, as well as some more extreme options like heli-skiing and the fourth highest vertical in the continent.
The ski area is home to large alpine bowls, long steep chutes and short lift lines. The snow that falls at Kicking Horse is consistently dry, light and a powder lover’s dream.
Whitewater ski resort
Photo by Chandrima Lavoie
Location: Nelson, BC
Distance from Vancouver: 679KM - 8 hours
1 Day lift ticket: $83.50
Annual snowfall: 1219cm
Number of lifts: 4
Total runs: 81
Situated along BC’s “Powder Highway”, this Kootenay gem is known for having some of the best powder in the province. The pleasant mountain feel doesn’t mean they’re lacking in serious runs; with excellent backcountry and tree skiing options and over 1200cm of annual snowfall, this is an ideal place to spend a few days going up and down the mountain.
Skiers and riders will find a vertical of 2,044 ft. and access to 1,184 acres of accessible terrain. Whitewater features 81 named runs that include groomers, open bowls, chutes, glade and tree skiing. A terrain park will entertain the freestylers and Nordic and multi-use trails are also available.
Attracting attention from around the world, Whitewater Ski Resort, located outside of Nelson, British Columbia, is known for one thing... POWDER.
