Canada enjoys some of the most reliable snowfall on the planet, so it’s hardly surprising that skiing is a popular pastime. But where do Canadians go to ski? There are roughly 280 ski areas dotted across the country, with many of the best resorts located in British Columbia and Alberta. Looking to ski with the locals? Here are seven of the most popular ski resorts for Canadians.
Where do Canadians go to ski?
1. Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia
Boasting two mountains offering up 200 runs and 8,172 acres of skiable terrain, Whistler-Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America. While it’s popular with international crowds, it’s Canadians who really make up the numbers here. Just a couple of hours from Vancouver Airport, it’s one of the country’s most accessible ski spots too. The resort boasts a range of terrain, from backcountry to bowls to tree trails.
Whistler Village also offers up one of the best apres-ski scenes in the country and there’s plenty of accommodation to choose from for a good night’s sleep too.
2. Lake Louise, Alberta
3. Revelstoke, British Columbia
Revelstoke boasts blockbuster mountain terrain, with the longest vertical drop in North America. There’s little in the way of beginner terrain, but its long and groomed tracks draw hordes of advanced skiers. Snowsports are part of the town’s DNA, with over 120 years of skiing history and the record for the most snowfall in Canada. Come winter, the resort’s slopes are blanketed in an average of 10.5 metres of powder every winter. Unsurprisingly, the resort also hosts the Freeskiing World Tour.
4. Mount Tremblant, Quebec
Mont Tremblant is nestled in the Laurentian Mountains. Located just 1.5 hours from Montreal and two hours from Ottawa, Mont Tremblant is one of the East Coast’s favourite ski destinations. For those travelling from further afield provinces, the Mont Tremblant Airport makes it easily accessible too. The resort might be compact, but its well-planned layout makes the best of the terrain, offering up plenty of options for skiers and snowboarders.
It offers up 102 groomed trails for a range of abilities, as well as a highly regarded ski school. Its European-inspired ski village looks like a snowglobe, with added luxury hotels, upmarket restaurants and boutique shopping.
5. Sun Peaks, British Columbia
Once a humble village, Sun Peaks has expanded to become the second-largest ski resort in Canada. Offering fast and easy access to powder-white snow, Canadian visitors can’t get enough of the short queues and long winding trails. Sun Peaks is a ‘ski through’ village, which means you can head straight from the mountain through town without taking your skis off. All hotels located in the village offer ski-in and ski-out access too.
The resort offers open bowl skiing, wide groomed runs and glades. It’s particularly popular with less experienced skiers too, with nearly 70% of runs geared towards beginners and improvers.
6. Sunshine Village, Alberta
This whimsically pretty resort is smaller than Lake Louise, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in good looks. That goes some way to explaining why it’s so popular with Canadians on Instagram too. Set 7,200 feet high on the Continental Divide, nestled into the heart of the Canadian Rockies, the resort offers three mountains of vast terrain and eye-popping 360-degree mountain views.
7. Mont Sainte Anne, Quebec
This year-round mountain destination is located around 40 kilometres from Quebec City, making it a popular option with east coasters. It’s also one of the most family-friendly resorts in the country thanks to its wide, groomed trails. There’s a whole roster of activities to keep little ones occupied too, including snowshoeing, dog sledging, sleigh rides and ice skating.
