Western Canada Ski Resorts Ranked: 2025-26
When it comes to planning your upcoming ski trip, now seems like as good a time as ever to go to Canada. The consistent snow, huge mountains, and beautiful views make it a really appealing place on paper, and if you’re coming from the states, it’s not that much further to travel there than the destinations domestically.
But Canada‘s Rockies, Interior, and West Coast mountains come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so which one is best for your vacation when you decide to fly out there? We’ve ranked all the major Canadian ski resorts west of the Rockies in order of their overall mountain experience, and we’re here to tell you the strengths and weaknesses of each one.
#18: Nakiska
Coming in at the bottom of this list we have Nakiska, a resort that has a storied history but comes with a number of drawbacks that detract from a destination-grade experience. Let’s start with the positives: Nakiska has a fleet of high-speed lifts, a simple-to-figure-out footprint, and enjoyable intermediate and advanced terrain. The resort also has some really unique secret terrain areas that were used in the 1988 Olympics and are now hike-to only, and it’s only an hour from Calgary, making it an easy day trip.
This all being said, Nakiska just doesn’t have the raw footprint size or terrain diversity to put up a serious fight against the best resorts on this list. Expert terrain is underwhelming, as is the beginner experience to a certain extent. And the resort doesn’t have many redeeming factors in terms of snow quality either, with less competitive snow totals than the resorts further west, inconsistent snowmaking on trails that aren’t used for racing, and slopes that often lack cover or feel skied off. Finally, Nakiska gets really crowded with day-trippers from Calgary on weekends and some holidays, and there’s no on-site lodging.
Nakiska isn’t a bad day-trip mountain from Calgary if you can work around the crowds, but it makes very little sense as a fly-to destination. Lift tickets aren’t quite as high as the bigger Canadian resorts, but they’re still pricey for what you get if you go on a holiday. The resort is available on the full Epic Pass and 4-7 Day version of the highest-tier Epic Day Pass, but no matter your lift access product, all guests have to pay a mandatory $15 CAD fee to park.
#17: Mount Norquay
Next up, we have the first Banff-area ski resort on this list, Mount Norquay. Norquay sits in the iconic Banff National Park, and accordingly, it’s home to some of the most stunning scenery one can find anywhere, let alone at a ski resort. Norquay also has surprisingly compelling advanced terrain and rarely sees crowds compared to the rest of the Banff-area resorts, and its footprint is significantly more wind-protected as well.
However, compared to the other resorts on this list, Norquay is tiny. With 190 skiable acres, most people will cover the whole mountain in half a day, if that. Norquay also sits at a lower elevation and doesn’t see the same quantity of snow as its Banff brethren, let alone the best other mountains on this list. But perhaps most importantly, while Norquay has some decently challenging terrain and great views, they’re not anything that can’t be achieved by the two other Banff-area resorts, which are better in both respects. Mount Norquay isn’t a bad option if you’re in Banff for a few hours and have some time to kill, but it’s way too small to justify a visit otherwise.
At least lift tickets are fairly reasonable compared to the other resorts on this list, especially if you buy on a holiday or close to the day of, although we still wouldn’t call them cheap, and guests will need to have a valid Banff National Park Pass. Norquay is also a partner on the Ikon Pass suite of products, but unlike the other Banff-area resorts, it is not on the Mountain Collective Pass.
#16: Kimberley
Next up, we move to our first entry in the Purcell Mountains, Kimberley. Kimberley is a solid choice for those looking for a family-friendly option, with enjoyable cruising terrain, fun glades, an easy-to-figure-out footprint, and lower crowds than many competitors. The lack of resort traffic means that snow can stay untracked for days, and a decently-high base elevation makes for fairly light snow accumulation. The resort also offers numerous on-site accommodations, and they’re reasonably-priced for the access, making the resort a great choice if you want ski-in/ski-out access on a budget.
However, Kimberley has rather vanilla slopes compared to the ski resorts higher on this list, with only so-so diversity terrain-wise and many trails feeling similar to one another. The resort is also fairly small, and while it does have one high-speed lift, if that one goes down—as it notably has for protracted periods in the recent past—the resort does not have any lift access out of its base. And finally, while Kimberley does see reasonably good early-season snow, its overall average accumulation numbers have not been good, and conditions after February can be hit or miss.
Kimberley is a good choice for an early-season, family-friendly ski resort with reasonable lodging options, but it’s way less interesting than the mountains higher up on this list. That said, the resort’s tickets are also a pretty reasonable value for what you get, making the mountain an all-around economical option. The resort is also a partner on the Epic Pass suite, but like with Nakiska, it’s only on the full pass and the 4-7 Day version of highest-tier Epic Day Pass.
#15: Apex
Next up on this list we stay in British Columbia to cover Apex, another under-the-radar ski area in the town of Penticton. Apex is great for its lack of crowds, with very few waits even during peak weekends and holidays. The resort also benefits from top-to-bottom high-speed lift service and extensive on-site lodging options for a resort of its status. And while the resort has a footprint that’s ideal for families on paper, it also offers a few surprisingly enjoyable expert chutes as well.
That said, Apex is small compared to the behemoth destinations further up on this list, especially when it comes to its sub-2,000-foot vertical drop. In addition, above-treeline terrain is confined to what’s essentially just a few turns on the front face of the resort summit, and if you want to lap some of the mellower cruiser runs in full, you do have to take a slow lift. Finally, while Apex has a strong quality of snow, the resort is lacking in terms of the raw quantity of its accumulation, so other resorts may be better bets for powder days.
Apex is a great resort if you’re looking for something uncrowded and don’t necessarily need the best snow, but other resorts out there offer larger footprints and more consistent conditions. Lift tickets are reasonable, even at the window, and the resort is also a two-day member on the Indy Pass.
#14: Castle Mountain
Next up we move back to the Canadian Rockies to cover Castle Mountain, an independently-run ski resort in southwest Alberta. Castle Mountain stands out for its views; while it’s not quite as stunning as the resorts closer to Banff proper, it still has some incredible scenery from the slopes. Castle also sees excellent snow for Western Canada, with competitive accumulation totals and a dry consistency that’s way more enjoyable than the resorts not as far inland. Finally, Castle is expected to at long last get its first high-speed lift this season, with a new detachable quad adding service to an area that used to be accessible by snowcat only.
However, Castle’s biggest drawback is still its infrastructure. Even with the new quad, all of the resort’s other lifts will remain slow—including, notably, all of the out-of-base lifts. Even though the mountain is rarely too busy on weekdays and less-snowy weekends, lines on powder days can actually be a huge problem. And despite the resort’s claimed 3,592-acre footprint, our measurements only reflected half of that number. Finally, Castle’s high-alpine footprint is exposed, and the resort’s upper-mountain terrain, especially its expert areas, can be closed for protracted periods of time.
Castle is a fantastic mountain if you’re looking for a down-to-earth resort with unique terrain, great snow, and incredible views in good-visibility conditions, but other resorts higher up on this list are more polished—and this is likely to remain true even with the substantial addition of high-speed quad service. At least Castle’s down-to-earth atmosphere extends to its lift ticket prices, with some of the best value tickets in the region. The resort is also a two-day partner on the Indy Pass, and if you happen to have a season pass that’s part of the Powder Alliance, you get three complimentary days at Castle as well.
#13: Fernie
Next up on this list we move to the Lizard Range to cover Fernie, the easternmost ski resort on Canada’s famed Powder Highway. Fernie is renowned for its incredible snow quality on good days, with light, dry powder that’s up there with the best in North America. Fernie also sees strong quantities of snow throughout a typical season, and its high-alpine-heavy footprint makes for some epic bowls and lightly-spaced glades. Fernie also boasts a striking aesthetic, with especially distinctive peaks both in-bounds and across nearby mountain ranges.
However, Fernie falls short of the other mountains on this list because of its reliability. Despite being very far north and right in the heart of the Rockies, the resort sees variable temperatures throughout the winter, and even a slight warm spell can bring much wetter snow or even rain. The resort is often forced to close significant portions of the mountain due to weather conditions, and while it has gotten better in recent years, it’s still somewhat of a game of chance as to whether the Polar Peak summit will be open during your visit. Also, Fernie has a really strange lift network, with frustratingly-placed lifts that make lapping trails difficult and result in significant traversing to get in or out of them. Finally, Fernie’s on-mountain facilities are small and outdated.
So Fernie might be one of the best ski resorts in North America if you hit it on a good day. But its reliability and lift network issues can make for a frustratingly disappointing experience. Lift tickets aren’t cheap but they’re not horribly expensive either, and the resort is also a partner on the Epic Pass suite, albeit just the full pass and 4-7 Day version of the Epic Day Pass.
#12: Red Mountain
Next up, we move over to the Monashee Mountains to cover Red Mountain, which is one of the oldest ski resorts in North America. Red Mountain stands out for its sizable footprint, with over 2,700 acres of skiable terrain, much of which almost never sees lift lines, even on weekends and holidays. The resort experiences strong snow preservation thanks to its low visitation density, and it’s home to some of the most demanding expert terrain in the region, especially if you like glades. In addition, the resort offers surprisingly extensive on-site lodging options given its local roots, with options ranging from hostels to a four-star hotel.
However, Red is not a ski resort for those who want creature comforts once on the mountain. It might be the biggest ski resort in North America without a single high-speed chairlift, and given the resort’s size, it can take up to 20 minutes to get from the parking lot to your first full lap. The resort also has a few annoying navigational quirks that make getting between certain areas either confusing or indirect, with the slow lift speeds making it even more frustrating if you miss your turn. Finally, while Red sees strong early-season snowfall totals, the resort’s overall accumulation tends to fall short of the best resorts in Canada, and warm spells can bring wet and heavier accumulation.
Red is a great choice if you want some of the gnarliest in-bounds tree skiing you can find anywhere and no lift lines, but if you’re looking for modern infrastructure outside of the accommodations scene, the resorts higher up on this list are much better options. Red Mountain’s lift tickets are fairly reasonable, but they’re not that much cheaper than other, more well-rounded resorts in the province. The resort is also a partner on the Ikon Pass suite of products, including the full, base, and day-ticket-like Session passes.
#11: Silver Star
Next up, we stay in the Monashees and move up to Silver Star, which offers one of the most family-friendly experiences of this bunch. This partially-upside-down resort stands out for its large and convenient ski-in/ski-out village about two-thirds of the way up its slopes, with plenty of terrain for everyone ranging from beginner to advanced, and glade terrain that’s extensive not just for experienced skiers and riders, but also for intermediates. Silver Star also does not see the same crowds as the better-known destinations on this list, and its large 3,000-acre footprint means the typical vacationer won’t be left wanting for more.
However, Silver Star’s family-friendliness extends to its extreme terrain footprint—which is to say, there isn’t much of it. The resort’s back side does have some genuinely steep trails, but a good chunk of them take prolonged traversing to get in or out of. Speaking of traversing, this is a key theme when it comes to getting between certain terrain zones within the Silver Star footprint, so be prepared for a lot of catwalking throughout your visit—and even a few road crossings in some surprisingly major areas. Finally, Silver Star is not the place to find particularly lengthy big mountain terrain, above-treeline bowls are essentially non-existent, and snow totals aren’t quite as strong as the best in the country.
Silver Star is a great choice if you’re looking for a hassle-free on-site ski trip and don’t mind a lot of travel to get there from parts of the U.S., but for experts and those looking for iconic big mountain terrain, it’s not quite up to the standards of the resorts higher up on this list. Depending on when you go, Silver Star’s lift tickets can be a solid value for what you get, and new for this year, Silver Star is also a bonus mountain on the full Ikon Pass—but this means pass holders only get two days with holiday blackouts, and the resort is absent from all other pass products in the Ikon suite.
#10: Whitewater
Next up on this list we move to Whitewater, a resort that’s also fairly under-the-radar but for significantly different reasons. Unlike Apex, Whitewater stands out substantially for its snow—the resort might have the best combination of snow quality and quantity in Canada, with light and dry accumulation that often feels like skiing through a cloud and snowfall totals that rival all but the wet and heavy resorts by the coast. Whitewater also offers excellent glade terrain, especially for advanced skiers and riders, and fantastic access to nearby backcountry areas. And while it’s not quite as empty as the least-known resorts on this list, Whitewater still does not see nearly the degree of crowds of Canada’s big destinations.
However, if glades, powder, and backcountry access aren’t your thing, you’ll probably have a better time elsewhere. Beginner and intermediate groomer terrain is limited, all the lifts are slow, and in-bounds bowl terrain is relegated to a very small area and only accessible by a bootpack. The resort also doesn’t have all that large of a footprint, measuring in at just under 1,400 acres and a 2,000-foot vertical drop. And the resort is fairly remote too, requiring a much longer drive from the nearest major airport than most of the other mountains on this list.
Whitewater is a worthy destination for a true powderhound looking for reliable, high-quality snow, but in most other regards, it’s not as competitive as the resorts higher up on this list. Whitewater is not a partner on any multi-resort pass product, although it does have some season pass partners, and lift tickets are pretty reasonable if you buy in advance.
#9: Panorama
Next up, we move back to Canada’s Powder Highway to cover British Columbia’s Panorama. Panorama stands out for its sheer height; the resort is the first so far on this list to have an over 4,000-foot vertical drop, and the resort offers a variety of exceptionally long runs that are perfect for those looking for a cardio challenge. The resort also offers some of the most beautiful views of any ski resort in North America, with absolutely stunning vistas of the surrounding Purcell Mountains. And while the resort is tall, it’s also impressively accessible from an ability standpoint, with top-to-bottom terrain that can be done by intermediates as well as advanced and expert skiers and riders.
But Panorama’s overall footprint isn’t actually all that massive, because while the resort is tall, it’s fairly narrow as well. There’s really only one zone of lappable trails in each of the mid- and upper-elevations, and the rest of the terrain in these areas requires embarking on the vast majority of the vertical drop to lap. While this results in several trails that take quite awhile to get skied out, it also means that for those who don’t want to ski or ride over 3,000 feet in a single lap, the mountain skis much smaller than it really is. But it is a good thing that these less-tracked areas do exist, because Panorama’s Achilles heel is its raw quantity of snow. Snowmaking does help, but the resort sits in a snow shadow, falling short of the accumulation totals seen by its comparably-sized Canadian Rockies competitors.
Panorama is a great choice for those looking for stunning views and an exceptional vertical drop accessible by intermediates, but it doesn’t have the snow and intuitive footprint design to beat out the other resorts on this list. At least lift tickets aren’t a bad value for the quality of slopes you get, and the resort is also a partner on the Ikon and Mountain Collective Pass suites for those visiting multiple ski resorts next winter.
#8: Sun Peaks
Next up, we move over to one of the biggest ski resorts in Canada, Sun Peaks. With a 4,200-acre footprint, Sun Peaks is huge, and only loses out to Whistler Blackcomb in terms of skiable terrain in Canada. But while Sun Peaks is huge, it’s not all that intimidating, with some of the best groomer terrain in the country and a very convenient ski-in/ski-out village. Sun Peaks also offers a very strong terrain park setup, and the resort’s sizable footprint helps keep crowds quite low, even on weekends and holidays.
However, while Sun Peaks is big, it doesn’t feel all that big mountain. That’s because the resort’s footprint is relatively ordinary as far as Canadian ski resorts go, with limited expert terrain and several runs that feel quite similar to one another. Snow totals are respectable, but they’re not among the best in the country. The resort also doesn’t quite offer the same vertical drop or quality of views as some competitors, and while the resort does feel somewhat compact for the amount of skiable terrain it’s home to, getting between the south-facing Mt. Tod and north-facing Mt. Morrisey sides can be quite a pain. And finally, while the majority of lifts at Sun Peaks are fast and modern, a handful are slow and outdated, with the worst offender arguably being the Burfield Quad, which is the longest fixed-grip quad in North America. There is an option to load or unload at the mid-station, but if you embark on the full journey, it takes an agonizing 21 minutes to get from base to summit.
So Sun Peaks is one of the best ski resorts in Canada if you’re looking for a large and family-friendly footprint. But the resorts higher up on this list just offer more interesting terrain. Lift tickets are actually quite reasonable for the size, and the resort is also a partner on the Ikon Pass suite, with access on the full, Base, and Session Pass products, as well as the two-day Mountain Collective Pass.
#7: Kicking Horse
Next up, we need to talk about what’s arguably the most notorious ski resort in Canada: Kicking Horse. This British Columbia resort is all about extremes—the resort boasts some of the most intense expert terrain in the world, with chutes, cliffs, and couloirs that are accessible directly off the lifts. And for those looking for an even greater challenge, the resort is home to copious hike-to terrain, with lines off these hikes that are even more gnarly than the ones off the lifts, often requiring mandatory straightlining or hidden cliff drops. And one of the craziest parts about Kicking Horse is that it not only offers a 4,300-foot vertical drop, but straight-up requires guests to embark on it on a large portion of the resort’s terrain due to the lift layout and a general lack of redundancies. Finally, Kicking Horse’s modest visitation and consistently-cold temperatures keeps snow fresh for days or even weeks, especially when there’s any hiking involved.
However, Kicking Horse’s layout makes it a poor choice for those who want anything but the toughest ski vacation. First off, beginner and intermediate terrain is extremely limited, and with lift service heavily dependent on a singular top-to-bottom gondola, the overwhelming majority of runs are incredibly long and will take a toll on the typical guest. There are a handful of other lifts to runs that are more moderate in length, but they’re incredibly slow and only directly serve a handful of runs each. Even if you’re a confident black-diamond skier at another resort, it’s not out of the ordinary to take only a handful of laps and then call it a day.
Kicking Horse is a must-hit ski resort for skiers and riders looking to push their cardio and technical prowess to the max, but it’s way too intense for just about everyone else. At least Kicking Horse’s lift ticket rates are quite reasonable for the quality of slopes it provides, and the resort is also a partner on the Epic Pass suite, albeit like the other resorts we’ve covered so far, it’s just on the full pass and 4-7 Day version of the highest-tier Epic Day Pass.
#6: Marmot Basin
Next up, we move back to Alberta to cover the lone ski resort in Jasper National Park, Marmot Basin. Marmot Basin stands out for its views, and with several towering peaks close by, the surrounding background during your ski day is incredible. Marmot Basin is also both the northernmost ski resort on this list and home to the highest base elevation of any Canadian ski resort, which leads to excellent snow retention. The resort’s out-of-the-way location also lends itself to an almost unbelievable lack of crowds for the generally modern lift and facility infrastructure on-site. Finally, while Marmot Basin does not have any on-site lodging, the town of Jasper offers one of the most unique lodging experiences of any ski vacation, given its location directly in a national park, lack of buildup, and much lower visitation than nearby Banff.
However, despite Marmot Basin’s favorable snow preservation numbers, the resort sees surprisingly weak annual snowfall for Western Canada. The overall snow conditions are often still good thanks to the factors we discussed earlier, but those planning a trip in advance and hoping for a true powder day may find better luck elsewhere. But while its snow totals aren’t the strongest, that doesn’t mean the resort gets a pass from the extreme cold spells that occasionally plague Interior Canada’s ski resorts; in fact, Marmot Basin might have the worst predisposition to these extreme weather events of any major ski resort in the country, and it’s not out of the question for temperatures to drop as low as -40°F (-40°C) if you get really unlucky. In addition, with less than 1,200 acres of skiable terrain, and only around 920 of those directly accessible by lift, Marmot Basin is quite a bit smaller than most of the other destinations on this list. And with so much of the footprint dedicated to admittedly-high-quality advanced and expert terrain, intermediate cruising terrain is a bit lacking, with many of the upper mountain blues filtering into a flat traverse, and others requiring a ride down a black first in order to access them.
Marmot Basin is a great choice if you’re looking for top-tier views, limited crowds, and the ability to stay right in the heart of a national park, but the resorts higher up on this list are a lot bigger and home to more consistent snow. Lift tickets are fairly reasonable for what you get, and the resort is also a two-day partner on the Mountain Collective Pass, making it a really good stop if you plan on a multi-resort Canadian road trip.
#5: Big White
Next up on this list, we move back to the Okanagan region to cover Big White. Big White might not be the first place you think of when it comes to a Canadian ski destination, but the resort is actually quite big, boasting a 2,600-acre footprint and plenty of terrain for a range of abilities. The resort also stands out for its exceptional tree terrain, with thin and widely-spaced glades throughout the resort, many of which are often fully coated with a thick sheet of snow, making for a decidedly unique vibe. And Big White is not all that crowded compared to the other destinations on this list, with serious lift lines rare on all but the busiest of days. But despite the lack of crowds, Big White offers plenty of convenient lodging, with a ski-in/ski-out village right in the middle of the resort ripe with plenty of activities once you’re done skiing or riding for the day.
Big White’s biggest drawback is arguably its weather. The resort’s skies are often overcast, and total whiteout conditions aren’t out of the question either. And while the resort does see pretty consistent episodes of snowfall, true powder days are a lot rarer, and some competitors do see higher annual accumulation totals. It’s also worth noting that expert slopes are fairly limited, and while on-mountain infrastructure isn’t truly bad, it is a little bit lacking compared to the best ski resorts in Canada.
So Big White is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a large, family-friendly mountain and don’t mind the chance of low visibility, but other resorts on this list are a bit more polished and snow sure. Lift tickets have gotten a lot more expensive in recent years, but if you buy in advance, you can still get a decent deal. Big White is also a two-day member of the Indy Pass, although it is worth noting that if you get the Indy Base Pass, the access is subject to significant weekend and holiday restrictions.
#4: Revelstoke
Next up, we move to a ski resort that might be the spiritual antithesis to Big White, Revelstoke. This British Columbia ski resort is about as “big mountain” as it gets in Canada, with an absolutely astounding 5,620-foot lift-served vertical drop from top to bottom, and that metric expanding to an even more insane 6,000 feet if you include hike-to terrain. But either way you measure, this gives Revelstoke the longest vertical descent of a North American ski resort by a significant margin. But Revelstoke’s big mountain bonafides don’t just extend to its vertical drop; the resort has the views to back it up, with some of the most striking peaks one can see inbounds at a ski resort, as well as the consistent snow to make for regular powder days. And the snowfall is bolstered by low visitation, with much of the resort taking days to get tracked out, even if it’s been awhile since the last storm.
But if Revelstoke sounds too good to be true, that’s because in a couple of ways, it is. While Revelstoke excels as a big mountain, it falls short in terms of family-friendliness; beginner and intermediate terrain is quite limited, and many of the runs that do exist are too long to be consistently enjoyable for guests of these abilities. The resort’s uphill lift network also feels half-baked, with essentially nonexistent redundancies and relatively common lift lines despite the modest visitation overall. Finally, it’s worth noting the resort’s 6,000 vertical feet are not created equal, with excellent snow preservation in upper-mountain areas but much more dicey conditions the further down you get. And probably in large part due to this circumstance, the resort’s trails are generally biased towards its upper elevations.
Revelstoke is a must-hit ski resort if you’re looking for the ultimate in big mountain terrain, but if that doesn’t appeal to you, the other resorts on this list are a lot better choices. Lift tickets aren’t cheap, but the resort is also a partner on the Ikon Pass suite, including the full, Base, and Session Passes, as well as a two-day partner on the Mountain Collective Pass.
#3: Lake Louise
Next up, we move back to Banff National Park to cover Alberta’s Lake Louise ski resort. Lake Louise might be the most beautiful ski resort we’ve ever tried; the resort overlooks some of the most beautiful peaks in the world, and with the frozen lake itself tucked right in the heart of these mountains, guests will find some truly jaw-dropping sights during their visit. But Lake Louise doesn’t just stand out for its views; the resort is well-rounded in a number of other ways, with standout terrain (especially for advanced and expert guests), high-quality snow, and a lift network that handles crowds quite well. And while the resort already offers a sizable 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, that’s slated to get even higher this year with the introduction of the Richardson’s Ridge expansion on the back side.
But while Lake Louise does a lot, it’s not a perfect resort. Perhaps the biggest annoyance is the preponderance of traverses to get in or out of certain terrain areas, especially on the back side. Especially on cold days with chalky snow, these can get really annoying. The resort’s lift network is mostly modern, but a few lifts on the back side could use upgrades to high-speed quads. And while Lake Louise’s beginner and intermediate terrain is enjoyable, runs for these abilities are a bit limited compared to the best destinations, at least prior to the Richardson’s Ridge expansion opening. Finally, Lake Louise sees a handful of extreme cold spells each winter, and there’s always a chance that you could arrive to temperatures as low as -30°F if you’re really unlucky.
Lake Louise is a must-hit if you want to ski or ride under a backdrop that feels like it’s out of a movie, and its large and varied footprint makes it a worthy destination in its own right. However, the two resorts higher up on this list are just a bit more well-rounded. While Lake Louise’s lift tickets aren’t cheap, they’re still not a terrible value for the quality of skiing you get. The resort is also a partner on the Ikon and Mountain Collective Pass suites.
#2: Banff Sunshine Village
For our silver medalist, we stay in Banff National Park for the final Alberta ski resort on this list: Banff Sunshine Village. Like Lake Louise, Banff Sunshine stands out for its views; the resort overlooks some of the most beautiful peaks in the world, offers a nearly-360-degree skiable footprint in upper mountain areas, and boasts a remote topography that completely blocks out views of the outside world once you get out of the base. The resort is also a lot more family-friendly than Lake Louise, with plenty of beginner and intermediate terrain even in upper-mountain areas, and with the resort being home to the highest top elevation of any Canadian ski resort, it also excels in terms of snow preservation. But Banff Sunshine’s groomers don’t mean it’s a slouch when it comes to expert terrain either, and the resort’s restricted Delirium Dive and Wild West areas provide access to some of the most technical terrain in the country. Banff Sunshine is also home to a one-of-a-kind ski village more than two-thirds up the mountain, which provides an extensive facility setup and even on-site lodging for the lucky few who can afford it.
This all being said, Banff Sunshine is not a perfect resort, and its biggest drawbacks result from its unorthodox layout. Despite a 3,500-foot vertical drop on paper, about half of that involves a relatively flat traverse back to the base, and most of the enjoyable trails are a lot more modest in length. A poorly designed trail map doesn’t make getting to know the confusing footprint any easier. The resort only has one out-of-base lift—an eight-passenger gondola—and while crowds tend to spread out once guests make it on the mountain, long gondola lines are a common problem at the beginning of the day. And while the bubble lifts up there help, Banff Sunshine’s upper-mountain slopes are wide open and heavily wind-exposed, making for uncomfortable conditions even when it’s not particularly cold out. Speaking of cold, Sunshine is just as susceptible to occasional extreme cold snaps as Lake Louise, so be sure to pack especially warm clothes if you’re planning to visit and one of these weather windows seems to be rolling in.
Banff Sunshine does have a few problems, but if you’re looking for a well-rounded resort in Canada, it’s hard to beat overall. Like with Lake Louise, lift tickets aren’t cheap but they’re not terrible for what you get from a destination either, and the resort is a partner on the Ikon and Mountain Collective Passes as well.
Ultimately, Banff Sunshine offers a compelling enough package to beat out all the other ski resorts on this list, except one…
#1: Whistler Blackcomb
That’s right, the best ski resort in Canada is none other than the biggest: Whistler Blackcomb. Whistler Blackcomb is home to such a high quantity and quality of slopes that no other resort even comes close in terms of terrain diversity; the 8,171-acre footprint is nearly double the size of the next biggest ski resort in Canada, the resort essentially offers top-to-bottom skiing and riding for guests of all abilities, and the extreme terrain offerings are notorious enough to rival the most perilous other mountains on this list. And the resort anchors this gigantic footprint with a state-of-the-art lift network, offering high-speed lift service essentially everywhere; this includes North America’s only tricable gondola, which links the Whistler and Blackcomb sides. Finally, Whistler is home to perhaps the best après-ski base village in Canada, with a preponderance of live music, concerts, and bars once you’re done on the mountain.
But while Whistler Blackcomb’s terrain places it squarely above the other resorts on this list, this doesn’t mean the resort doesn’t have its own problems. Perhaps the biggest of these issues is crowds; Whistler Blackcomb is a known entity, and despite some redundancies, guests should expect significant waits at popular lifts on weekends and holidays. But another notable issue is reliability. While Whistler Blackcomb sees some of the highest snow totals of any Canadian ski resort, the accumulation is often wet and heavy, especially below mid-mountain, and rain isn’t out of the question even during the core season. And these two drawbacks can compound in tandem; if it’s a busy weekend and it’s raining on one part of the mountain and snowing in another, the conditions can force everyone into only a fraction of the terrain that the resort is designed to handle, squeezing the mountain’s lift infrastructure.
So Whistler Blackcomb isn’t perfect, but there’s no doubt it’s the best ski resort in Canada. Unfortunately, the mountain is priced accordingly, with 1-day lift tickets coming in at truly outrageous rates. At least if you’re watching this before early December, Whistler Blackcomb is a partner on the Epic Pass suite of products—and unlike the other Epic-affiliated resorts we’ve discussed so far, it’s on the base-level Epic Local Pass and 1-7 Day versions of the highest-tier Epic Day Pass.
Final Thoughts and Ranking Recap
So that’s our rank-order of the best destination ski resorts in Canada based on overall mountain experience. Here’s the full overview of these resorts based on their PeakRankings Mountain Scores. Sure, Western Canada tends to offer consistent snow preservation and amazing views no matter where you go, but the best resorts on this list stand out with truly exceptional big mountain terrain, strong lift networks, and huge footprints. And yes, our top-ranked resort does have a few issues when it comes to crowds and resiliency, but if you plan a multi-day trip there, the resort is still more than consistent enough where you’ll get some truly awesome skiing or riding in.
Considering a ski trip to Western Canada this winter and want to go to a specific resort? Check out our more detailed reviews for:
