Canadian ski resorts don’t get much notice apart from Whistler Blackcomb yet there are several top resorts that would seem like a skiers’ paradise. Blackcomb, which is the first venue on this list, is known as one of the best in the world as it is the largest ski resort in all of North America. This hardly means it’s all Canada has to offer, however.
The 2020/21 ski season was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to the safety protocols put in place by the government. While international visitors were not permitted entry into the country, locals were still able to enjoy various resorts therein, despite the many restrictions.
One of those was a reservation system that allowed folks to gain access to mountains in some resorts and capacity limits on chairlifts. Resorts in Ontario and British Columbia, as well as most of the locations in the country, were still able to operate during lockdown periods. The 2021/22 winter season will have no such restrictions, which is great for Ontario sports betting.
That said, let’s take a look at some of the best ski destinations in Canada.
Whistler Blackcomb
As mentioned above, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. It combines two mountains and has over 200 runs accessed via 37 lifts. The venue presents 8,172 acres of skiable terrain that has something for everyone, from beginners to extreme skiers and pros.
The resort is filled with amenities and entertainment options for before and after skiing. There’s an embarrassment of options where it pertains to condos and luxury hotels, as well as a pedestrian-only street with dining places, shopping boutiques and art galleries.
Whistler Blackcomb is rated as one of the best skiing locations in the world as it boasts all sorts of terrain, from bowls, to glaciers, to tree trails. It’s a two-hour drive from Vancouver Intl. Airport.
Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant has a very strong European feel and its biggest attraction is the French alpine resort that’s located just 1.5 hours from Montreal and less than two hours from Ottawa. While the trails aren’t that well-kept, it presents many challenges, and close to half of the 102 trails are designed for professionals. The European-style village is full of luxury hotels, fine dining, and shopping.
It’s also a great place for family fun and patrons could take advantage of offerings such as ski school while there are other unrelated activities such as snowshoeing and cycling to enjoy.
Lake Louise
The largest ski resort out of the Banff resorts, Lake Louise boasts a remarkable scenic view. It also offers the longest season in North America at six months. Like Mont Tremblant, it’s family-friendly and offers many well-groomed options for skiers at every level.
It’s 45 minutes away from the town of Banff but, if you’re heading there, you could rent a car as you could ski in the surrounding mountains of Banff Sunshine and Mount Norquay if you have a SkiBig3 lift pass.
Sunshine Village
The aforementioned Banff Sunshine possesses one of the longest ski seasons. It starts in early November and goes on until the middle of May. The resort, located nine miles outside of Banff Village, also caters to skiers of all abilities. Out of the three Banff locations, it has the best powder snow because of its elevation.
This resort fails in comparison to the others when it comes to ski-in/ski-out accommodation. The only one offering such is Sunshine Mountain Lodge but there are plenty of options in the village, which is where most of the visitors bunk. One SkiBig3 lift pass is enough to get one access to all three of the interchangeable resorts in the Banff region.
Big White
Big White has earned the reputation of Canada’s favorite family resort. Its 2,765 acres of skiing terrain makes it a great location for learning to ski powder. Plenty of skiers visit Big White because of its off-piste trails as there’s lots of snowfall and proper conditions for tree skiing. What makes Big White even more popular is its ski-in-ski-out village. It’s also the most accessible resort from Kelowna, an hour’s drive from the airport.
Mount Norquay
Mount Norquay is the smallest of Banff’s three resorts, making it pretty difficult to find lift lines as the other resorts in the location are pretty busy.
This resort is recommended for beginners as verticals could be had pretty quickly on the groomers. Despite being small in size, there’s a remarkable view to behold. There are also plenty of restaurants and bars and there’s always plenty of buzz.
