Where to Go Skiing in British Columbia

Plan your next sub‑zero adventure with a visit to one of the best ski resorts in British Columbia, complete with après and off‑mountain options.

Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler

• On the slopes: Host of some 2010 Winter Olympics events, Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s premier ski destination and, with more than 200 runs, 16 alpine bowls and three glaciers spanning 8,171 acres, it’s the largest ski resort in North America. Along with world‑class skiing and backcountry access, the resort features an 18‑foot halfpipe and five terrain parks, including one with smaller rails, rollers and mini‑hits designed for beginners.
• Off the slopes: Make like an Olympian and take an exhilarating ride in a four‑person bobsleigh (steered by a trained pilot) or slide solo on a skeleton sled at Whistler Sliding Centre, home to the world’s fastest ice track and host of the bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Revelstoke

• On the slopes: Boasting 1,713 metres of vertical (the most in all of North America) and 3,121 acres of tough skiing terrain, Revy’s riders get stoked for its four high‑alpine bowls and 13 glade (and treed) areas. The mountain, which is located in the Kootenay Rockies, gets 10 metres of snow a year and the pitch is steep, ungroomed and optimized for adventure.
• Off the slopes: Some of the world’s top snowmobilers flock to the alpine and trail riding areas located near the town of Revelstoke, and the resort offers guided tours for riders of all levels who want to tackle the open ridge tops and deep powder in the Keystone‑Standard Basin.

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Golden

• On the slopes: Known as the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is located just west of the former rail and lumber town of Golden, B.C., and offers 1,260 metres of vertical drop. Experienced skiers can attempt the mountain’s gnarly double‑black diamond chutes and bowls or make first tracks across steep ridge lines, while intermediate snowboarders will enjoy cruisier runs at the base of the mountain. The small but mighty terrain tends to be quiet, with minimal crowds and short lift lines.
• Off the slopes: The scenic Dawn Mountain Nordic Centre offers 33 kilometres of cross‑country skiing track designed for both classic and skate skiing. Ease into things on the gentle beginner loops, featuring flats and minor rolling hills, or brave the big climbs and exhilarating downhills on the outer loops.

Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie

• On the slopes: Escape the crowds in this quiet under‑the‑radar ski area that has a reputation for abundant snowfall. There’s plenty to keep advanced and intermediate skiers entertained: Fernie Alpine Resort has one of the larger ski verticals in the Canadian Rockies with a 1,082‑metre difference between the top lift and base elevation and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain, including five steep and challenging powder bowls beneath the 2000‑metres peaks of Grizzly Peak, Elephant Head and Polar Peak.
• Off the slopes: Downtown Fernie, a 10‑minute drive from the ski hill, is a charming Victorian mining town in Elk Valley next to the Rocky Mountains’ Lizard Range. Here you can indulge in some old‑school pampering at Spa 901 with its infrared sauna, outdoor hot tub and range of treatments.