Best Ski Resorts in Western Canada: Where to Ski and Which Resort is Best for You
- Higher Ground
- Nov 26, 2024
- 7 min read
Where to stay: Fairmont Lake Louise
Where to eat: Tim Hortons - a typical Canadian experience
Where for a coffee: Forecast Coffee Whistler
Not to miss: Snow Ghosts at Big White
Western Canada is home to some of the most spectacular ski resorts in North America, offering everything from epic powder conditions to diverse terrain and charming village atmospheres. Whether you're looking for expert-level challenges, family-friendly slopes, or a remote getaway with breathtaking mountain views, there's something for every type of skier and snowboarder.
Having spent a full season in Banff and skied a range of resorts including Big White, Fernie, Panorama, Kicking Horse, Lake Louise and Kimberley, we're keen to share some insights on where to catch some of the best terrain and apres ski experiences, plus give some tips on which resort is best for which type of visitor.
1. Whistler Blackcomb (British Columbia) – For Skiers and Snowboarders of All Levels
Best for: Families, beginners to experts, adventure seekers, and those looking for a world-class resort experience.
Whistler Blackcomb is one of the largest and most renowned ski resorts in North America, offering over 8,000 acres of skiable terrain. With terrain for every level—beginners, intermediates, experts, and freestyle enthusiasts—Whistler is a mecca for skiers and snowboarders alike.
Why It’s Great:
Variety for All Levels: From beginner slopes on Whistler Mountain to steep, powder-filled runs on Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler caters to all skill levels. It's especially renowned for its extensive snowboard terrain, including multiple terrain parks and halfpipes.
Family-Friendly: With ski schools, child care services, and gentle beginner areas, Whistler is perfect for families looking to introduce their kids to the slopes.
Après-Ski & Village Life: Whistler’s pedestrian-friendly village is a hub of activity, offering dining, shopping, nightlife, and luxury accommodations.
What's not to like:
The Crowds: With being such an incredible destination, it's inevitable that it will be busy. The huge ski area moderates this, however it is best enjoyed outside of the main North American school holiday periods.
Top Highlights:
Largest ski resort in North America
Diverse terrain for all skill levels
Vibrant village with shopping, dining, and nightlife
Extensive snowboarding terrain
2. Big White (British Columbia) – For Families and Powder Seekers
Best for: Families, intermediate skiers, powder lovers, and those seeking a friendly, relaxed vibe.
We're a bit biased on Big White as we have family that live and work there, and we've spent plenty of winters skiing and boarding there.
Big White is a family-oriented resort in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, known for its exceptional snow conditions and laid-back atmosphere. With an average annual snowfall of over 7 metres and some of the best powder in Canada, it’s a great choice for skiers and snowboarders who enjoy light, dry snow. The resort has a reputation for being one of the most family-friendly ski destinations in Canada, but it also attracts those looking for an excellent all-around skiing experience.
Why It’s Great:
Fantastic Snow Conditions: Big White’s location in the Okanagan Valley means that it consistently receives excellent snowfall, providing powder conditions ideal for skiing and snowboarding.
Family-Focused Resort: Big White has one of the best ski schools in Canada, plus a variety of child-friendly activities such as ice skating (ask for Noah), snowmobiling, dog-sledding and tubing. The resort offers convenient ski-in/ski-out accommodations and a range of beginner-friendly slopes.
Accessible Terrain: While Big White has plenty of challenging runs for advanced skiers, it’s particularly great for intermediates who enjoy wide, well-groomed trails. It’s also an excellent resort for those who like to explore new terrain without the crowds
What's not to like:
Limited Double Black: The offering for the expert skier is relatively limited with The Cliff the only double black area on the mountain.
Top Highlights:
Known for light, powdery snow
Great for families, with childcare and ski schools
Excellent intermediate terrain and skiing conditions
Quiet, laid-back vibe with fewer crowds
Only an hour from Kelowna International Airport
3. Revelstoke (British Columbia) – For Expert Skiers and Powder Hounds
Best for: Advanced and expert skiers, powder lovers, and those seeking backcountry terrain.
Revelstoke is a hidden gem known for its deep powder and challenging terrain. Situated in British Columbia’s Selkirk Mountains, Revelstoke boasts the largest vertical drop in North America (5,620 feet), making it a prime destination for skiers and snowboarders who crave steep, rugged terrain and epic powder conditions.
Why It’s Great:
Epic Powder: Revelstoke’s snow conditions are legendary, with annual snowfall exceeding 40 feet. The resort is a powder lover’s dream.
Advanced Terrain: Revelstoke is not for beginners. It’s home to some of the steepest terrain in Canada, with an abundance of off-piste runs, alpine bowls, and backcountry opportunities.
Small, Intimate Resort: With fewer crowds than larger resorts like Whistler, Revelstoke offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere, perfect for those who want to experience the mountains without the hustle and bustle.
What's not to like:
The location: Revelstoke is over 2.5 hours from the nearest major airport so it can be a long haul to get there from Australia
Top Highlights:
Largest vertical drop in North America
Deep powder conditions and advanced terrain
Small resort with a laid-back atmosphere
Backcountry and heli-skiing options
4. Banff & Lake Louise (Alberta) – For Nature Lovers and Scenic Skiing
Best for: Intermediate to advanced skiers, nature lovers, and those seeking stunning mountain views.
Banff and Lake Louise are located within Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and offer some of the most scenic skiing in Canada. With three ski areas—Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mount Norquay—Banff provides a wide range of terrain for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Why It’s Great:
Breathtaking Scenery: Skiing in Banff offers some of the most spectacular mountain views in the world, with towering peaks, frozen lakes, and dramatic vistas. Lake Louise is especially renowned for its beauty.
Diverse Terrain: From beginner slopes to challenging runs, Banff's resorts cater to skiers of all levels although be sure to chat to us about the intricacies of each resort. Sunshine Village and Lake Louise also offer a variety of off-piste and backcountry terrain.
Champagne Powder: Being far from the coast makes the air dryer, and the as a result the snow extra light and fluffy!
Après-Ski & Cultural Vibe: Banff in particular offers a range of après-ski options, from relaxing in the hot springs to exploring local art galleries and restaurants.
What's not to like:
Resort limitations: Each of the resorts has their own limitations, none of which are a reason to cross them off your list, but it is best to chat with us to understand which is going to provide the best experience for you.
The cold: Being in Alberta and a long way from the coast, Banff & Lake Louise can get particularly cold in the depth of winter.
Top Highlights:
Stunning scenery and panoramic mountain views
Great variety of terrain for all skill levels
Skiing within Banff National Park
Kicking Horse (British Columbia) – For Adventurous Skiers and Freeriders
Best for: Advanced skiers, freeriders, and those looking for a challenging, adventurous ski experience.
Kicking Horse, near Golden in British Columbia, is known for its expert-level terrain, epic powder, and challenging runs. With a vertical drop of 4,133 feet, Kicking Horse is a destination for freeriders, backcountry enthusiasts, and anyone who loves steep, rugged terrain.
Why It’s Great:
Challenging Terrain: Kicking Horse offers some of the most challenging terrain in Canada, including steep bowls, cliff drops, and off-piste runs.
Powder & Freeride Terrain: The resort gets an abundance of snow each season, making it ideal for powder skiing and off-piste exploration. There are also multiple backcountry and heli-skiing opportunities.
Remote Feel: Kicking Horse is smaller and less crowded than resorts like Whistler, giving it a more remote, adventurous feel.
What's not to like:
Limited market: What makes Kicking Horse so great, also limits who can enjoy it. If you are travelling with a family or a mix of abilities, Kicking Horse is not a great option as there is limited off-slope activities and very limited skiing options for beginners and intermediates.
Top Highlights:
Steep, expert-level terrain
Great for freeriding and backcountry skiing
Powder-filled slopes and off-piste options
Smaller, more remote resort with fewer crowds
Fernie (British Columbia) – For Powder Seekers and Small-Town Charm
Best for: Powder lovers, intermediate skiers, and those seeking a quieter, small-town ski experience.
Fernie is known for its deep powder snow, laid-back atmosphere, and variety of terrain. Located in southeastern British Columbia, Fernie has a strong reputation for great skiing and a charming small-town feel.
Why It’s Great:
Great Powder Conditions: Fernie gets an incredible amount of snow—up to 30 feet annually—making it a haven for powder hounds.
Varied Terrain: The resort has terrain for all skill levels, but it’s particularly ideal for intermediate and advanced skiers who enjoy tree skiing and powder-filled runs.
Small-Town Charm: Fernie is a small, friendly town with a relaxed vibe, offering a cozy après-ski scene and less crowded slopes than larger resorts.
What's not to like:
Limited ski in/ski out accommodation: Fernie can be a bit disjointed with quite a lot of the accommodation and apres-ski located in town.
Top Highlights:
Deep powder conditions
Excellent tree skiing and off-piste terrain
Great for intermediate to advanced skiers
Cozy, small-town atmosphere with fewer crowds
Whether you’re after powder-filled slopes, challenging terrain, or a family-friendly getaway, Western Canada has a ski resort for every type of visitor. Big White offers excellent snow conditions and a relaxed atmosphere for families and intermediates, while resorts like Revelstoke and Kicking Horse cater to advanced skiers and freeriders.
If you're looking for stunning mountain views, Banff and Lake Louise provide some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. And if you prefer quieter slopes, Fernie and Kimberley are fantastic choices.
No matter which resort you choose, you're bound to have an unforgettable experience in the beautiful mountains of Western Canada. See you on the slopes!
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