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5 Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia, 2023/24

5 Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia, 2023/24
Karl Sander
Written by Karl Sander / Photos by Greg Burke
Last updated May 20, 2022

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’. 

Whistler Blackcomb British Columbia
This is Whistler Blackcomb!

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 village

Highlights

  • 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

Vancouver Intl. Airport - 137 km (2 hour drive)
Whistler Blackcomb British Columbia
This is Whistler Blackcomb!

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.

ski champagne powder Big White
If you are looking for champagne powder, Big White is your resort!

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 762 cm 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 skiing

Highlights

  • Tons of powder
  • Biggest ski-in/ski-out village in Canada
  • Largest night skiing area in Western Canada
  • Low visibility and can get crowded

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 17 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 10 2023

Closest airports

Kelowna Intl. Airport - 61 km (1 hour drive)
ski champagne powder Big White
If you are looking for champagne powder, Big White is your resort!

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 762 cm 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!

Sun Peaks ski terrain
Explore Canada's second largest resort!

Why Ski Sun Peaks

As Canada’s second largest ski resort with over 1,728 ha 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 too

Highlights

  • 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

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Nov 19 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 10 2023

Closest airports

Kelowna Intl. Airport - 209 km (2.5 hour drive)
Kamloops Airport - 61 km (50 minute drive)
Sun Peaks ski terrain
Explore Canada's second largest resort!

Why Ski Sun Peaks

As Canada’s second largest ski resort with over 1,728 ha 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.

revelstoke mountain resort skiing
Revelstoke has the biggest vertical drop in North America!

Why Ski Revelstoke

Revelstoke is home to some epic skiing with an unparalleled vertical that is longest in North America at over 1,700 m. 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 skiers

Highlights

  • 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

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023

Closest airports

Kelowna Intl. Airport - 193 km (2.5 hour drive)
revelstoke mountain resort skiing
Revelstoke has the biggest vertical drop in North America!

Why Ski Revelstoke

Revelstoke is home to some epic skiing with an unparalleled vertical that is longest in North America at over 1,700 m. 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.

Curry Bowl Fernie Alpine
Fernie Alpine is the perfect expert's playground! Just check out the Curry Bowl!

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 village

Highlights

  • 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

22/23 Ski Season:

  • Opening Date: Dec 03 2022
  • Closing Date: Apr 16 2023

Closest airports

Calgary Intl. Airport - 306 km (3.5 hour drive)
Curry Bowl Fernie Alpine
Fernie Alpine is the perfect expert's playground! Just check out the Curry Bowl!

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.