5 Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia, 2023/24
Home to some of the best ski resorts in Canada, exploring British Columbia should be on every avid skier or snowboarder’s bucket list. Lucky for you, we've pick out the top resorts you must visit including some on the infamous ‘Powder Highway’.
Why Ski Whistler Blackcomb
As the largest ski area in North America and the vast variety of terrain to go with it, it’s safe to say Whistler-Blackcomb has rightfully earned its spot on this list. The skiing here is world-class and the impressive size of the terrain is backed up by some of the most impressive terrain around including 200 runs, inbounds backcountry, bowls, glaciers, tree trails and five terrain parks! A destination within itself, Whistler Village has everything you’d ever want from a ski village. There are endless options for pretty much anything with an abundance of accommodation, dining options, lively nightlife venues and a long list of non-skiing activities.
Known for
Largest ski resort in North America with the ultimate ski villageHighlights
- Massive variety of incredible terrain
- Easy to access from Vancouver
- Full of amenities and après ski to keep everyone well entertained
- Expensive place to ski and crowds can be an issue
24/25 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Invalid Date* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
- Closing Date: Invalid Date* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Why Ski Whistler Blackcomb
As the largest ski area in North America and the vast variety of terrain to go with it, it’s safe to say Whistler-Blackcomb has rightfully earned its spot on this list. The skiing here is world-class and the impressive size of the terrain is backed up by some of the most impressive terrain around including 200 runs, inbounds backcountry, bowls, glaciers, tree trails and five terrain parks! A destination within itself, Whistler Village has everything you’d ever want from a ski village. There are endless options for pretty much anything with an abundance of accommodation, dining options, lively nightlife venues and a long list of non-skiing activities.
2. Big White
Why Ski Big White
Big White is incredibly family-friendly because it has a convenient resort base and relatively mellow slopes. Skiers and boarders will have access to plenty of powder to learn on with the resort receiving over 300 inches of powder on average per year. To top this off, Big White’s entire village is covered by ski-in/ ski-out accommodations which makes it extremely accessible, especially if you have little ones. For visitors that want a bit more diversity, you can find a network of snowshoeing paths, a tubing hill, snowmobiling and an ice rink!
Known for
Canada's favourite family resort and one of the best places for powder skiingHighlights
- Tons of powder
- Biggest ski-in/ski-out village in Canada
- Largest night skiing area in Western Canada
- Low visibility and can get crowded
24/25 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Nov 26 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
- Closing Date: Apr 06 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Why Ski Big White
Big White is incredibly family-friendly because it has a convenient resort base and relatively mellow slopes. Skiers and boarders will have access to plenty of powder to learn on with the resort receiving over 300 inches of powder on average per year. To top this off, Big White’s entire village is covered by ski-in/ ski-out accommodations which makes it extremely accessible, especially if you have little ones. For visitors that want a bit more diversity, you can find a network of snowshoeing paths, a tubing hill, snowmobiling and an ice rink!
3. Sun Peaks
Why Ski Sun Peaks
As Canada’s second largest ski resort with over 4,270 acres of skiable terrain, Sun Peaks offers a crowd-free, family-friendly ski resort that spans across three different mountains. You will be able to find ski-in/ski-out lodging in the village base with a number of bars and restaurants to dine at. Sun Peaks is incredibly well laid out with an inter-connected lift system between the three mountains for over 130 runs. The resort is very reasonably well-priced and has childcare and ski school facilities. Sun Peaks is located just a 45 minute drive from Kamloops Airport and is accessible by shuttle buses from Kamloops and Kelowna.
Known for
Canada’s second largest resort after Whistler-Blackcomb and less crowded tooHighlights
- Family-friendly mountain and village, lots of apres ski activities
- Diverse terrain with impeccably groomed slopes
- Not as crowded as Whistler
- Somewhat less snowfall compared to surrounding resorts
24/25 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Nov 19 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
- Closing Date: Apr 11 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Why Ski Sun Peaks
As Canada’s second largest ski resort with over 4,270 acres of skiable terrain, Sun Peaks offers a crowd-free, family-friendly ski resort that spans across three different mountains. You will be able to find ski-in/ski-out lodging in the village base with a number of bars and restaurants to dine at. Sun Peaks is incredibly well laid out with an inter-connected lift system between the three mountains for over 130 runs. The resort is very reasonably well-priced and has childcare and ski school facilities. Sun Peaks is located just a 45 minute drive from Kamloops Airport and is accessible by shuttle buses from Kamloops and Kelowna.
4. Revelstoke
Why Ski Revelstoke
Revelstoke is home to some epic skiing with an unparalleled vertical that is longest in North America at over 5,577 feet. Revelstoke is most suited for intermediate skiers and boarders and above. What makes Revelstoke so attractive to many visitors is the accessibility to back-country skiing, cat-skiing and heli-skiing due to the abundance of snow and diversity of terrain. However, the resort is not the easiest to travel to, located around 2.5 hours from Kelowna and 5 hours from Calgary. Nevertheless, this makes Revelstoke a must-stop destination for thrill-seeking ski enthusiasts that values no crowds.
Known for
Ideal resort for avid intermediates and advanced skiersHighlights
- Biggest vertical drop in North America; loads of snow
- Slopes are generally less crowded
- Cat-skiing and heli-skiing available from the same base
- Limited dining at the base village and slopes are not ideal for beginners
24/25 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 04 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
- Closing Date: Apr 14 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Why Ski Revelstoke
Revelstoke is home to some epic skiing with an unparalleled vertical that is longest in North America at over 5,577 feet. Revelstoke is most suited for intermediate skiers and boarders and above. What makes Revelstoke so attractive to many visitors is the accessibility to back-country skiing, cat-skiing and heli-skiing due to the abundance of snow and diversity of terrain. However, the resort is not the easiest to travel to, located around 2.5 hours from Kelowna and 5 hours from Calgary. Nevertheless, this makes Revelstoke a must-stop destination for thrill-seeking ski enthusiasts that values no crowds.
Why Ski Fernie Alpine
Sitting on the famously dubbed ‘Powder Highway’ should give an idea of what to expect at Fernie Alpine. Given its location in BC’s interior, snowstorms tend to lose their moisture far to the west, allowing light and dry snow to fall on Fernie. Best of all, it gets loads of it and hidden powder stashes can be found wherever there are fresh tracks! The deep and steep lines off their five – yes five – bowls are also sure to please. The base village offers basic accommodation, dining, and limited activities. While there are a few cool concerts and events throughout the season, the town of Fernie down the road has more variety for everything above.
Known for
Crowd free slopes with quality snow, epic expert terrain and a relaxed base villageHighlights
- Tons of light, dry powder
- World-class expert terrain
- Nearby town of Fernie has dog sledding, climbing wall and more
- Basic amenities at the base
24/25 Ski Season:
- Opening Date: Dec 04 2024* (Estimated open date based on historical data)
- Closing Date: Apr 14 2025* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Why Ski Fernie Alpine
Sitting on the famously dubbed ‘Powder Highway’ should give an idea of what to expect at Fernie Alpine. Given its location in BC’s interior, snowstorms tend to lose their moisture far to the west, allowing light and dry snow to fall on Fernie. Best of all, it gets loads of it and hidden powder stashes can be found wherever there are fresh tracks! The deep and steep lines off their five – yes five – bowls are also sure to please. The base village offers basic accommodation, dining, and limited activities. While there are a few cool concerts and events throughout the season, the town of Fernie down the road has more variety for everything above.
