13 Best Ski Resorts in Canada
Canada is home to some of the world’s premier skiing destinations, boasting diverse terrains, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class facilities. From the iconic Whistler Blackcomb to the charming Mont Tremblant, these resorts cater to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. In selecting the top 13 ski resorts, we focused on terrain diversity, snow quality, family-friendly amenities, and unique features that set each resort apart.
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Top Ski Resorts Compared
| Rank | Resort Name | Location | Key Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whistler Blackcomb | British Columbia | Largest ski resort in North America, diverse terrain, vibrant village | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Mont Tremblant | Quebec | European-style village, family-friendly, lively nightlife | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Lake Louise | Alberta | Stunning scenery, world-class terrain, access to SkiBig3 resorts | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Sunshine Village | Alberta | Ski-in/ski-out lodging, abundant natural snow, long season | 8.7/10 |
| 5 | Big White | British Columbia | Excellent powder, extensive ski-in/ski-out village, family-friendly | 8.5/10 |
| 6 | Mount Norquay | Alberta | Affordable skiing, diverse terrain, less crowded | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | Sun Peaks | British Columbia | Second-largest resort in Canada, diverse terrain, family-oriented | 8.3/10 |
| 8 | Revelstoke | British Columbia | Highest vertical drop in North America, challenging terrain, cat-skiing and heli-skiing | 8.6/10 |
| 9 | Fernie Alpine | British Columbia | Abundant powder, challenging terrain, additional activities nearby | 8.4/10 |
| 10 | Panorama Mountain | British Columbia | Varied terrain for all skill levels, family-friendly amenities, ski-in/ski-out accommodations | 8.1/10 |
| 11 | Lake Louise Ski Resort | Alberta | Breathtaking mountain views, diverse terrain, long ski season | 8.7/10 |
| 12 | Marmot Basin | Alberta | Diverse terrain, minimal crowds, stunning natural beauty | 8.3/10 |
| 13 | Silver Summit | Alberta (Closed) | Large ski area, excellent natural snow, remote location, variety of winter activities, personalized atmosphere | 7.8/10 |
Pros:
- Vast terrain with options for all skill levels
- Vibrant village with extensive amenities
- Reliable snow conditions
Cons:
- High costs for lift tickets and accommodations
- Crowding during peak seasons
Whistler Blackcomb
Located just a two-hour drive from Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. With over 200 runs spread across 8,171 acres, the resort offers an extensive variety of terrain for all skill levels. The vibrant Whistler Village features a wide array of dining, shopping, and après ski activities. However, visitors should be prepared for high costs and potential crowding during peak seasons.
Mont Tremblant
Nestled in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, Mont Tremblant offers a European-like charm with its colourful village and cobblestone streets. The resort is particularly family-friendly, with a dedicated learning area and plenty of activities for children. Mont Tremblant also boasts a lively nightlife scene, making it an attractive destination for those seeking a balance between skiing and entertainment. The diverse terrain caters to all skill levels, although weekend crowds can be a concern.
Pros:
- Charming European-style village
- Family-friendly amenities and activities
- Diverse terrain for all skill levels
Cons:
- Crowding on weekends
- Limited advanced terrain compared to some other resorts
Lake Louise
Situated in the heart of Banff National Park, Lake Louise is renowned for its stunning scenery and access to world-class terrain. The resort offers a wide range of runs for all abilities, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging chutes and bowls. With the SkiBig3 pass, visitors can also access the nearby Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay resorts. Lake Louise boasts one of the longest ski seasons in North America, although prices can be on the higher end.
Pros:
- Spectacular scenery in Banff National Park
- Access to additional resorts with SkiBig3 pass
- Long ski season
Cons:
- Higher prices for lift tickets and accommodations
- Limited on-mountain dining options
Sunshine Village
Sunshine Village, located just outside of Banff, is the only resort in the area offering ski-in/ski-out lodging. The resort is known for its abundant natural snow and modern lift system, which includes a heated gondola. With a season spanning from early November to late May, Sunshine Village provides one of the longest ski seasons in Canada. However, the resort can experience crowding on weekends, and evening activities and dining options are somewhat limited.
Pros:
- Ski-in/ski-out lodging
- Abundant natural snow
- Long ski season
Cons:
- Limited evening activities and dining options
- Crowding on weekends
Big White
Consistently ranked as one of Canada’s favourite family resorts, Big White is renowned for its light, dry powder and expansive ski-in/ski-out village. The resort offers a wide variety of terrain, with plenty of beginner and intermediate runs, as well as challenging glades and bowls for advanced skiers. While Big White is known for its excellent snow quality, visibility can sometimes be an issue, and the resort can get crowded during peak times.
Pros:
- Excellent powder quality
- Extensive ski-in/ski-out village
- Family-friendly atmosphere
Cons:
- Visibility can be an issue during heavy snowfall
- Crowding during peak times
Mount Norquay
Often overlooked in favour of its larger neighbours, Mount Norquay is a hidden gem in the Banff area, Alberta. The resort offers affordable skiing options and a diverse range of terrain, from gentle beginner runs to steep expert chutes. Its smaller size and lack of on-mountain lodging may be seen as drawbacks by some, but for those seeking a more intimate and less crowded experience, Mount Norquay is an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Affordable skiing options
- Diverse terrain
- Less crowded than larger Banff resorts
Cons:
- Smaller ski area compared to other resorts
- Limited on-mountain lodging options
Sun Peaks
As Canada’s second-largest ski resort, Sun Peaks offers a family-oriented atmosphere and an impressive variety of terrain. The resort is known for its impeccably groomed runs, with options suitable for all skill levels. While Sun Peaks may receive slightly less snowfall compared to some surrounding resorts, its extensive snowmaking capabilities ensure reliable conditions throughout the season.
Pros:
- Diverse terrain for all skill levels
- Excellent grooming
- Family-friendly atmosphere
Cons:
- Slightly less snowfall compared to some nearby resorts
- Limited nightlife options
Revelstoke
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is a haven for intermediate and advanced skiers, boasting the biggest vertical drop in North America at 5,620 feet. The resort is renowned for its challenging terrain, including steep chutes, glades, and wide-open bowls. Cat-skiing and heli-skiing options are also available from the base area. However, beginners may find limited suitable terrain, and dining options at the base village are somewhat limited.
Pros:
- Huge vertical drop
- Challenging terrain for advanced skiers
- Cat-skiing and heli-skiing options
Cons:
- Limited beginner terrain
- Fewer dining options at the base village
Fernie Alpine
Located in the heart of British Columbia’s Powder Highway, Fernie Alpine Resort is known for its abundant, reliable powder and challenging terrain. The resort offers a mix of groomed runs, glades, and alpine bowls, with a focus on intermediate to expert terrain. The nearby town of Fernie provides additional activities, such as dog sledding and indoor climbing. While the amenities at the base area are relatively basic, the quality of the skiing more than makes up for it.
Pros:
- Consistent, abundant powder
- Challenging terrain for advanced skiers
- Additional activities in nearby Fernie
Cons:
- Basic amenities at the base area
- Limited beginner terrain
Panorama Mountain Resort
Panorama Mountain Resort offers a variety of terrain suitable for all skill levels, from wide-open groomers to steep glades and bowls. The resort is particularly family-friendly, with amenities such as a skating rink and water slides. The compact, mostly car-free village offers a good selection of ski-in/ski-out accommodations. However, visitors should note that nightlife and après ski activities are somewhat limited.
Pros:
- Varied terrain for all skill levels
- Family-friendly amenities
- Ski-in/ski-out accommodations
Cons:
- Limited nightlife and après ski activities
- Remote location
Lake Louise Ski Resort
Lake Louise Ski Resort, not to be confused with the nearby Lake Louise mentioned earlier, is known for its breathtaking mountain views and world-class skiing terrain. The resort, located in Banff National Park, Alberta, boasts a long ski season and diverse runs catering to all skill levels, from wide-open groomers to challenging steeps and chutes. With its proximity to Banff and the opportunity to access additional resorts using the SkiBig3 pass, Lake Louise Ski Resort offers a comprehensive skiing experience.
Pros:
- Stunning mountain views
- Diverse terrain for all skill levels
- Long ski season
Cons:
- Higher prices for lift tickets and accommodations
- Limited on-mountain dining options
Marmot Basin
Located in the stunning Jasper National Park, Alberta, Marmot Basin is a lesser-known gem that offers diverse terrain and minimal crowds. The resort caters to all skill levels with a mix of groomed runs, glades, and alpine bowls. Visitors to Marmot Basin can also enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding wilderness, with frequent wildlife sightings and access to the charming town of Jasper.
Pros:
- Diverse terrain for all skill levels
- Minimal crowds
- Stunning natural beauty and wildlife
Cons:
- Remote location
- Limited on-mountain accommodations
Silver Summit (Permanently Closed)
Silver Summit, once the largest ski hill outside of the Canadian Rockies, was a family-owned and operated resort that served winter enthusiasts for over 40 years. Located near Edson, Alberta, the resort boasted an impressive 1,000-foot vertical drop, 100% natural snow, and excellent conditions from December to late April. Despite its remote location, Silver Summit was a favourite destination for many, offering a personalized approach and a wide variety of options for skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers.
Key Features
Silver Summit’s 17,000 sq ft lodge housed 22 hostel-style rooms, accommodating up to 8 people each, along with central washrooms, showers, and a full-service cafeteria and lounge. The resort was known for its friendly staff, ski and snowboarding lessons, and two beautiful fireplaces for guests to enjoy. The 4,000-foot chairlift provided access to two unloading stations, offering breathtaking scenery and great skiing and boarding terrain.
Snowmobiling
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Silver Summit was a central location on an immense snowmachine trail network that connected with Edson and Fox Creek, making it an ideal destination for snowmobilers looking to explore the surrounding wilderness.
Each of these top 13 ski resorts in Canada offers a unique experience, catering to different preferences and skill levels. Whether you prioritize terrain diversity, family-friendly amenities, or stunning natural beauty, there is a resort on this list that will suit your needs. Canada’s rich skiing offerings ensure that every type of winter sports enthusiast can find their perfect destination.
For those looking to book their ski trip, many of these resorts offer ski packages and deals that can help make your vacation more affordable. Be sure to check each resort’s website for the most up-to-date information on opening dates, current conditions, and any special offers. With a little research and planning, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying an unforgettable skiing experience at one of Canada’s top resorts.