Stunning scenery, world-class resorts, and some of the world’s best powder skiing.
Destination British Columbia brought a team of ski resort representatives into Toronto recently to talk up a winter season that’s about to kick into high gear. Officials from the biggest names in BC skiing, including Whistler, Big White and Revelstoke, were on hand to talk about everything from new ski lifts and snowmobile tours to new terrain parks and food options. Here’s a rundown.
This is a Canadian legend, both an international sports mecca that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, and a funky, fun mountain town. It’s famous for its side-by-side mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb.
Located 22 kilometers from Vernon and less than an hour from Kelowna’s airport, SilverStar offers heaps of champagne powder, a lively mid-mountain ski village with ski-in/ski-out access, and Canada’s first all-inclusive lift ticket. The resort features four distinct mountain faces with 3,282 skiable acres (1,328 hectares) and is one of the largest ski areas in the province. It has 132 runs, 12 lifts, and, on the backside of the mountain, more than 770 hectares (1,900 acres) of steep, deep, black, and double black diamond runs. SilverStar is also a prime destination for cross-country skiers, with 105 kilometers (60 miles) of trails that include neighbouring Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre and features a four-kilometre (2.5-mile) lit track for night skiing, lift access to upper trails, and two certified biathlon ranges.
Known as the “Champagne Powder Capital of Canada,” Kicking Horse also boasts some of the best chute skiing in North America. Tucked between the Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges near Golden, Kicking Horse has more than 1,416 hectares (3,500 acres) of skiable terrain, 4.314 feet of vertical (one of the biggest in North America) 121 runs, five alpine bowls, 85 chutes, and five lifts. Activities run all season long, with a tube park and skating rink. This year, the resort continues hosting one of the largest ski events in the world, the Freeride World Tour. The shuttle connecting YYC to Kicking Horse continues for its second season with an even better schedule.
Revelstoke is renowned for its amazing terrain, incredible snow, and stunning views. It’s the ultimate playground for skiers and snowboarders alike. Home to the most vertical in North America at 1,713 meters (5,620 feet), the mountain promises an unforgettable adventure. From wide-open bowls to perfectly spaced glades and rolling groomers, the mountain provides the perfect balance of cruisers and ego bruisers. Although having a reputation for being an extreme mountain, Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers a diverse range of terrain suitable for all skill levels, said Laura Meggs, the resort’s communications manager. (It won’t be playable in winter, but Cabot Golf is building what looks like a tremendous golf course in Revelstoke B.C., It’s expected to open in 2026, and luxury condos also are planned.)
Up to 11 meters (37 feet) of the white stuff blankets this resort each year, ranking it amongst the snowiest ski and snowboard destinations in Canada. This is good news for adventurers looking to carve tracks amid 1,011 hectares (2,500 acres) of terrain spread across five powder-packed alpine bowls, with 142 marked runs. With a ride up The Polar Peak chairlift, skiers can launch off the summit of one of the highest peaks in the Lizard Range at 1,082 meters (3,550 feet). Fernie is a lovely town that yours truly quite enjoys, with plenty of great dining, shopping, art galleries and more. It’s also a great place to visit in summer.
The resort is spread out over 729 hectares (1,800 acres) of skiable area with 80 runs, boasting an average of four meters (13 feet) per year of light, fluffy, perfect Purcell powder. Kimberley offers a huge variety of ski-in/ski-out accommodation, 33 kilometers (20 miles) of cross-country trails, one of North America’s longest illuminated night skiing runs, over 30 km of groomed fat biking and a skating rink.
Situated 308 kilometers (191 miles) west of Calgary along one of the most scenic drives in the world, guests can park the car and walk or ski anywhere they want to go in this cozy village. Winter enthusiasts love Panorama for the 1,300 m (4,265 ft) of vertical descent (it’s top 10 in North America), breathtaking scenery, the ski-to-your-door accommodation, giant on-mountain hot pools and alpine hut-to-hut dining. Panorama offers incredible skiing thanks to a vast 1,214 hectares (3,000 acres) of terrain that includes over 136 named runs, 10 lifts and two high-alpine passenger snowcats. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, adventurers can experience private heliskiing and snowmobiling tours right from the village, glide on 20 kilometers (12 miles) of groomed Nordic trails or try fat-tire biking along the snowy banks of Toby Creek.
