Best Peaks Overall in
The rank-order of British Columbia and Alberta ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
#1 in Western Canada
Whistler BlackcombWhistler, BC
Whistler, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
83
- Size
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Extremely demanding expert runs
- Lift infrastructure
- One-of-a-kind aesthetic
- Relatively variable conditions, especially in lower mountain areas
- Crowd flow during peak times
Despite somewhat variable snow conditions, this massive resort delivers one of the most well-rounded experiences we’ve seen anywhere.
#2 in Western Canada
Banff Sunshine VillageBanff, AB
Banff, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
79
- Snow preservation
- Top-tier views
- Diverse terrain for all abilities
- Extraordinarily long season
- One-of-a-kind upper-mountain village
- Value
- Occasional extreme cold spells
- Long morning lines at base gondola
- Terribly designed trail map
This absolutely striking resort has consistent snow and terrain for everyone, although frigid spells are common during the core season.
#3 in Western Canada
Lake LouiseLake Louise, AB
Lake Louise, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
75
- One-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic
- Extraordinarily long season
- Incredible advanced, expert, and freestyle terrain
- Crowd management
- Value
- Occasional extreme cold spells
- Poorly-placed upper-mountain facilities
- Slow lifts in some mountain zones
- Arduous traverses in many areas
While it sees the occasional extreme cold spell, this Banff resort’s jaw-dropping vistas and varied terrain distinguish it from competitors.
#4 in Western Canada
RevelstokeRevelstoke, BC
Revelstoke, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
73
- Unparalleled vertical drop
- High-elevation snow quality
- World-class advanced and expert terrain
- Astounding views in upper-mountain areas
- Value
- Underbuilt lift network
- Half-baked beginner and intermediate experience
- Variable conditions in lower-mountain areas
- Perennial fog
- Nearby lodging in short supply
- Much more difficult to reach than other destinations
This one-of-a-kind Canadian Rockies resort should be on every expert’s bucket list, but it feels like it hasn’t been developed to its full potential.
#5 in Western Canada
Big WhiteKelowna, BC
Kelowna, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
71
- Distinctive tree terrain
- Family-friendliness
- Diverse beginner and intermediate terrain
- Well-designed crowd flow
- Convenient ski-in/ski-out village
- Perennially overcast, low-visibility conditions
- Facilities hard to access from upper-mountain areas
- Inconveniently slow lifts in some areas
- Lower quantity of extreme terrain than some competitors
- Ease of travel from most U.S. cities
It may not be as tough or striking as the best in the Canadian Rockies, but this British Columbia resort still has a lot to offer.
#6 in Western Canada
Kicking HorseGolden, BC
Golden, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
70
- Snow quality and preservation
- Incredible advanced and expert terrain
- World-class mountain aesthetic
- Long vertical drop
- Value
- Poorly-designed lift network
- Lackluster beginner and intermediate terrain
- Modestly-sized lift-serviced footprint
- Incredibly long laps required to ski or ride key terrain
- Much more difficult to reach than other destinations
This Interior British Columbia resort exemplifies the best natural traits of the Canadian Rockies but won’t be for everyone.
#7 in Western Canada
PanoramaPanorama, BC
Panorama, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- Incredible vertical drop
- Stunning surroundings
- Strong lift-served snow preservation
- Available backcountry-like snowcat experience
- Lower snowfall than other mountains
- Narrow footprint
- Small on-mountain facilities
- Difficult to lap certain areas
This remote Canadian resort brings impressive vertical and a ton of character, but it may not offer quite as well-rounded of an overall mountain experience as some competitors.
#8 in Western Canada
Sun PeaksSun Peaks, BC
Sun Peaks, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
68
- Massive footprint
- Impeccable grooming
- Convenient ski-in/ski-out base village
- Modest crowds
- Ticket value
- Relatively ordinary footprint for the size
- Limited out-of-base facilities
- Grueling 21-minute ride time up Burfield Quad
- Difficult to get between Mt. Tod and Mt. Morrisey sides
- Ease of out-of-province travel
This massive Interior British Columbia resort offers impeccable grooming and a family-friendly footprint but falls short in particularly distinctive terrain.
#9 in Western Canada
Silver StarSilver Star Mountain, BC
Silver Star Mountain, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
66
- Family-friendly terrain
- Vibrant ski-in/ski-out base village
- Standout tree terrain, especially for intermediates
- Lower crowds than other similarly-sized resorts
- Value
- Unintuitive, traverse-heavy trail network
- Lack of high-alpine bowl terrain
- Shorter vertical drop than some competitors
- Limited expert terrain
- Ease of travel from most U.S. cities
While it doesn’t offer the same terrain distinctiveness as several competitors, this Western Canada resort stands out with one of the most accessible ski-in/ski-out setups on the continent.
#10 in Western Canada
Red MountainRossland, BC
Rossland, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
66
- Sizable footprint
- Extremely demanding off-piste terrain
- Lack of crowds
- Local feel
- No high-speed lifts
- Lower snowfall totals than some competitors
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
While it lacks creature comforts that typical travelers might expect from a destination ski resort, this Western Canada resort offers a raw, authentic big mountain experience.
#11 in Western Canada
FernieFernie, BC
Fernie, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
64
- Incredible snow quality on good days
- Distinctive high-alpine bowl terrain
- Striking, remote footprint
- Non-existent lift lines outside holidays
- Variable conditions, especially in March
- Lackluster lift network
- Outdated facilities
- Resort summit almost never open
It’s hard not to love this remote Canadian resort on a good day, but a combination of variable weather, wide-ranging logistical shortcomings, and outdated infrastructure put it at a major disadvantage compared to its cutthroat Rockies competition.
#12 in Western Canada
KimberleyKimberley, BC
Kimberley, BC
MOUNTAIN SCORE
60
- Family-friendly terrain
- Straightforward footprint
- Low crowds
- Ticket and nearby accommodation value
- Modestly-sized, ordinary footprint
- Lower snowfall totals than competitors
- Misleadingly difficult beginner terrain
- Ease of travel from most U.S. cities
This Western Canada resort doesn’t have the footprint or snow totals to compete with the best destinations, but it offers a great value and family-friendly setup.
#13 in Western Canada
Mount NorquayBanff, AB
Banff, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
59
- Local feel
- Incredible views
- Lack of crowds
- Sheltered footprint
- Small footprint
- Lack of extreme and high-alpine terrain
- Limited intermediate terrain
- Less consistent late season than other nearby resorts
Banff’s town hill is way too small to be a destination in its own right, but it offers a local vibe and empty slopes.
#14 in Western Canada
NakiskaKananaskis, AB
Kananaskis, AB
MOUNTAIN SCORE
58
- High-speed lifts
- Straightforward footprint
- Enjoyable intermediate and advanced terrain
- Convenient location close to Calgary
- Lower snow totals than many competitors
- Modest footprint
- Peak-time crowds
- No on-site lodging
- Mandatory paid parking
This Alberta resort offers convenient slopes close to Calgary and higher-quality terrain than a typical local hill, but it’s no match for nearby destinations further west in the Canadian Rockies.