If our top 5 ski destinations in Europe or ski vacations in the USA haven’t quite hit the nail on the head, here are a few of our favourite mountain ski resorts in Canada.
High up in the Canadian Rockies you’ll find the glorious ‘Champagne’ snow and enjoy some of the spectacular scenery that British Columbia and Alberta have to offer. You will probably have heard of Whistler and Banff, but what about trying the all but deserted slopes at the Red Mountain Resort in Rossland?
Whistler is a top ski resort in North America, it is also the largest. 39 lifts, an average of 10 metres of snow per year, all rounded off with a nice dose of Canadian hospitality and you have yourself a Winter Olympic setting, which is just what happened in 2010. As a result, things have been scrubbed up nicely, just in time for your ski holidays!
The Peak to Peak gondola now links Blackcomb and Whistler mountains. If you decide to stay in Vancouver hostels and base yourself in the city, you can use the improved Sea to Sky highway leading to the Whistler mountain ski resorts. There are opportunities for all ski levels. Beginners should make their way to the Fitzsimmons Express and intermediates to 7th Heaven for Panorama or Ridge Runner. Like a bit of tree-skiing? Head to the Rendezvous restaurant on the Jersey Cream Lift. From here, you can make your way around the Backpacker Trees, a local name given to a tree island. Exhilarating gullies, shallow drop-offs and gentle rolling terrain make this an intimate route with plenty to take in. Perfect for anyone looking for an introduction to tree-skiing – you’ll be hooked.
Whistler is one of the few Canadian resorts to really go in for après-ski. Try Amsterdam Café or, for live music, the Dubh Linn Gate plays a merry Irish tune. Although there are some great budget places to eat, they tend to be small so booking is essential. Great value for money is Shakespeare’s pie shop for a cheap and freshly made pie. If you’re making your own sandwiches, pick up ingredients from Gone Bakery. If you are a Canadian or Washington State resident, be sure to check out the EDGE Card for your discount ski card.
Best for: All skiing levels. Over half of the runs are blue, a quarter black and there is even black diamond territory on the Horstman Glacier and Blackcomb Glacier. You’ll find plenty of facilities for kids so the ski resort is perfect for families too. You’ll notice a younger crowd at Whistler because it is a very affordable resort. This is a very safe bet for fresh snow and the season lasts until June. Join them to celebrate WinterPRIDE from 30 Jan-6 Feb 2011.
Nearest airport: Vancouver, 2 hrs 30 mins.
Accommodation in Whistler: Expect a state of the art building with all the mod cons at the HI-Hostel Whistler which opened in July 2010. Stylish furnishings, a slick 52” HD TV and an outdoor deck with fantastic views to the mountains – such luxury! It’s no wonder the hostel was used as part of the Whistler Athletes’ Village during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games! The BC Transit Wave bus #2 stops right outside this Whistler hostel and will drop you off at the Creekside Gondola for easy access to Whistler Blackcomb.
The HI-hostel is totally geared up for skiers, with secure ski storage rooms, tuning stations and great deals for guests at local ski shops in town. For non-skiers or for those looking for some après-ski frolics, they have a long list of activities for guests including hiking tours, foosball and pool tournaments in their games room, poker nights, pub quizzes and bar crawls. It’s a great place to meet other travellers.
Alternatively, if you prefer ski lodges, ski right up to the front door at the Whistler Mountain House. The welcoming hosts offer a free breakfast, traditional furniture and a hot tub. Guests can relax in the lounge with a roaring fire, curl up to watch a movie and enjoy this real mountain-style ski chalet which is just 15 minutes walk from Whistler Village.
If you’d like to base yourself in the city, it is still possible to make day trips to the mountains. Book Vancouver hostels and make your way to Cypress Mountain, one of three ski resorts within easy reach of the city. A 30-minute drive from downtown Vancouver and you can enjoy 52 trails, eight lifts and 19km of Nordic trails. Why not catch an ice-hockey match at General Motors Place. Stay at the charming Urban Hideaway in downtown Vancouver. A beautiful Vancouver townhouse offering a free, hearty cooked breakfast, ample storage space and laundry facilities. Staff are very knowledgeable about travel in the area and happy to assist.
As a cheaper alternative to Whistler, Banff makes for a lovely ski vacation. The resorts of Sunshine, Mount Norquay and Lake Louise are within easy reach, and they offer a tri-are ski pass, which is a nice little money-saver.
There’s a nice trickle of European travellers as well as local Canadian skiers, all after that infamous ‘Champagne’ powder that descends on the region for the lightest and fluffiest ride of your life. Sunshine is just 15 minutes from Banff and the high altitude creates one of the longest ski seasons in the world. Beginner, playful freestyler or super-steep enthusiast? There’s something for everyone. Delirium Dive and Wild West are ‘extreme zones’ for the crazy-hearted while novices can stick close to the main ski village for some world class ski instruction. Compared to other resorts, prices in Banff are relatively reasonable both in town, the bars and in the mountain cafeterias. It’s the lift pass that you get stung for, but then with virtually no queueing and the slopes to yourself, perhaps you get what you pay for!
Aside from skiing, travellers should visit the Banff Hot Springs for spectacular views and nice unwinding after a few days on the slopes. Calgary is within easy reach so enjoy a bit of time in the city and maybe catch a game with Calgary Flames ice-hockey team.
Best for: Friends and couples. Lake Louise is very popular with honeymooners and because you are spoilt for choice with double black diamond runs at Sunshine and Norquay, Banff attracts experienced skiers.
Nearest Airport: Calgary, 90 mins
Accommodation in Banff: At the HI-Banff Alpine City Centre they offer great ski packages including lift passes, breakfast and free transportation on check-in. Guests can book the private rooms, dorms and lovely private cabins. The hostel has a games room and on-site bar where travellers can buy cheap drinks and meet fellow guests. Guests can prepare their own meals using the self-catering facilities at this Banff hostel, but when you’re feeling lazy they also have an on-site restaurant. To get to and from Banff centre and the ski lifts the hostels provides guests with a free bus pass and transportation stops right out front.
Alternatively, Samesun Backpackers on Banff Avenue offers a free breakfast and Jacuzzi’s in most dorm rooms. The Beaver Lounge hosts DJs, open mic nights and offers cheap drinks and dinners to guests.
Whistler and Banff may be the big contenders for a ski vacation in Canada, but Rossland is hugely underrated! At Red Mountain you’ll enjoy crowd-free, natural terrain and experience some of the most pleasant runs in your life. There are 88 runs, almost 1,700 acres of lift-serviced terrain and on top of that, 2,500 acres of accessible back country to explore.
With over 19 miles of trails, Rossland is a wonderful place for cross-country skiing. It has an impressive annual snowfall of about 300 inches and attracts big names in Olympic skiing. All levels of skiers will find satisfaction here with a good selection of green, blue and black diamond runs. The most exhilarating run has to be at Powderfields. This rollercoaster route begins with open terrain (all freshly powdered of course), a run through the trees and – when you hit the first rock band – five-ten metres of sailing through the air, more of a small cliff! You’ll scream your socks off like a giddy kid!
Red Mountain Resort opened in 1947 and has kept much of its old-age and traditional charm but all the while renovating and modernising key facilities. There’s plenty to do besides skiing and Canada’s outdoor magazine ‘Explore’ voted it the ‘#1 Outdoor Town’ in 2007. At 1,023 metres, Rossland is Canada’s highest alpine city and there are spectacular views everywhere. You’ll want to enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible.
The town itself has a rather cool local community. It may be small but it has bundles of character and personality. The Old Firehall is a stomping bar for jazz lovers.
Best for: Skiers wanting to avoid major resorts and join in après-ski with the locals. Rossland also boasts some of the best Nordic skiing opportunities in Canada.
Nearest airport: Castlegar Municipal is the nearest, but most people fly to Spokane international and take the Red Express shuttle, a scenic 2hrs and 30 mins.
Accommodation in Rossland: The Mountain Shadow Hostel is in the centre of Rossland and just a 3-miute drive from Red Mountain Resort. Guests have access to two kitchens, a dining area and lovely lounge where you can relax in front of the telly or play video games.
Thanks to A tea but no e, Visions of Domino and ChodHound for the images off Flickr!
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