The 8 Best Ski Resorts in Canada

1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia

Whistler Blackcomb does everything big. The skiing, the après, the lodging—all of it’s top-notch. In almost every way, this resort meets some lofty Platonic ideal of what a glitzy ski destination should be. Up high, there are powdery, varied slopes that cater to everyone from beginners to professional skiers (a large fleet of high-speed lifts whisk skiers to the goods).

On the valley floor is a sprawling village chock-full of condos, hotels, high-end restaurants, and burbling hot tubs. Beneath the ground are dim-lit après dens that cater to a younger, rowdier crowd intent on keeping the party going long after the lifts stop spinning. If you want to supersize your ski trip, put Whistler Blackcomb at the top of the list.

2. Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, British Columbia 

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort presents a contrast. Golden, the resort’s adjacent town, is nothing like Whistler. It’s small, humble, and, in many ways, nothing more than a trucking route blip where residents live quiet, outdoor-oriented lives. The peaks around Golden provide plenty of drama, though. They slice upwards, emerging from the Earth’s mantle like jagged, snow-covered fangs. And thanks to Kicking Horse’s simple lift network, you can ski them.

This terrain isn’t for the faint of heart and tends to attract a pretty serious crowd. Yes, Kicking Horse has gentle groomers, but the resort really shines when you’re in search of challenging terrain—and bragging rights, of course.

3. Fernie Alpine Resort, British Columbia

Like Kicking Horse, Fernie Alpine Resort resides on the British Columbian Powder Highway. This moniker is thrown around too lightly. Fernie, each season, on average, picks up 29 feet of snow. That sky-borne harvest blankets its slopes, which, above treeline, culminate in the Polar Peak Chair, a two-seater that accesses a wind-whipped haven for expert skiers.

Elsewhere, you’ll find perfectly spaced trees on runs like Concussion, which cascade downwards with sustained steepness. Fernie has the snow and the terrain of a place that could be surrounded by a base village like Breckenridge or Vail. Instead, it remains laid back.

4. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Revelstoke Mountain Resort isn’t just big (it boasts 3,121 acres, to be precise); it’s tall. In North America, no other ski resort trumps Revelstoke in total skiable vertical feet. At Revy, this manifests in long, endless-feeling thigh burners that wind all from the top of the Stoke Chair down to the base area. The resort isn’t just about gauging your cardio fitness and length strength, though. From the Stoke chair, skiers can drop into the North Bowl area, where a mixture of above-treeline bowls and glades await.

5. Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort, Quebec

Much of the Canadian ski action is concentrated in and around British Columbia—Mont-Tremblant holds it down out East. This 762-acre ski destination is a relatively quick jaunt outside Montreal, Quebec, facilitating day trips for metro residents. On the slopes, long, green runs make trips to the upper mountain possible for newer skiers.

But experts, too, will be pleased with the tough runs found at the resort like Dynamite. Mont-Tremblant’s colorful base area has the ski resort village trappings of a place like Whistler Blackcomb, so après hounds—whether they like to shop, eat, or imbibe—should discover plenty to keep themselves entertained after a day on the slopes.

6. Lake Louise Ski Resort, Alberta

One of three ski resorts in the Banff, Alberta area, Lake Louise Ski Resort delivers over 4,200 acres of mountainous terrain. Towering peaks sprawl in every direction, including the distinguished Mount Lefroy, Mount Victoria, and Mount St. Piran. The trip downhill is pretty darn good, too.

Try the famed back bowls, which are lappable with the Paradise lift. Sweetening the deal is the nearby town of Banff, which, inarguably, is one of the most picturesque areas in North America. Round out a trip to Lake Louise with visits to the other SkiBig3 destinations: Mt. Norquay and Sunshine Village.

7. Sunshine Village Ski Resort, British Columbia

Remember Sunshine Village? Of course you do—we just mentioned it. Sunshine has a funky (in a good way) lift layout that starts at a lower-elevation parking lot. From there, a network of two gondolas transport skiers to Banff Sunshine’s different areas, including Goat’s Eye Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Mount Standish.

Beginner and intermediate runs weave their way through these zones—servicing the more casual crowd—while hardcore skiers should look no further than one of Banff Sunshine’s primary draws: Delirium Dive. This unique freeride zone is accessible from the Great Divide Quad Chairlift and offers steep, complicated terrain. To cross through this big mountain portal, you must be carrying avalanche gear and have a ski buddy with you. Safety comes first—powder turns come second.

8. Big White Ski Resort, British Columbia

Big White is known for its family-friendly bent, consistent snowfall, and varied accommodations. The resort’s runs rarely teeter into extremely challenging territory—again, hit Kicking Horse if you want a serious adrenaline buzz—but Big White has plenty of variety for most skiers. A plethora of ski-in ski-out lodges simplify prospective trips. And despite the fact that Big White is a full-fledged, full-service ski resort, it’s included on the Indy Pass.

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