Canada
The Country
Although the probable location of the world’s first “modern style” drag lift in the late 1920s, Canada has been something of a late developer as a major skiing destination, which it now undeniably is. Although world-famous resorts such as Tremblant have been around since the early days of the sport, Canada has not, until recently, had many famous names to shout about.
The traditional 'chicken-and-egg' problem which hampered development of the huge snowfields making up much of the western half of the country was that the local populations were too sparse to justify investment in substantial resort infrastructure and ski lifts. Without that investment skiers, however, were unlikely to battle the elements to beat their way to these new ski areas. The vicious circle was broken in the 1970s, and following the Calgary Olympics there has been improved air access as well as huge investment in lifts and all other aspects of resort development.
Western Canada has also developed a reputation as the world's top heli-skiing destination, with increasing numbers of heli-skiing operations offering thousand square mile territories of untouched powder snow on huge verticals, and promoting them as an ultimate ski experience. In the east, there are hundreds of mostly small ski centres, usually with floodlit slopes. So, together these areas create the world's densest network of night-skiing slopes. Most have extensive snowmaking facilities and are within an hour's drive of Quèbec, Ottawa or Montréal. It’s easy to stay in a big city and then take your pick of the skiing. Snowmobiling is another national strength and there are nearly 50,000km (30,000 miles) of sign-posted trails criss-crossing the country.
Today, Canada is arguably the number one boom country for skiing in the world. With prices lower and infrastructure newer than in most other major ski destinations, the mass of skiers who have until now put Canada somewhere in the middle of their priority lists, have marked it very high in the rankings. Particularly popular are the resorts around Banff and the spectacular ski-world success story of the 1990s, Whistler Blackcomb near Vancouver, which constantly tops the ski-magazine reader polls in North America and has been voted 'best foreign resort' by Japanese ski magazine readers.
Today Whistler attracts over two million visitors annually and will host the 2010 Winter Olympics. A dozen more Western Canadian resorts are trying to emulate its success, whilst on the Eastern side of the country Tremblant is in to its second billion of development and is attempting to attract four million visitors annually.
Good PointsSome of the best value in world skiing.
A long natural season, often November to May.
Comprehensive snowmaking in the east and a reputation for abundant snowfall in the west.
The most extensive heli-skiing in the world.
The fact that it's easy to stay in an East Coast city and choose from hundreds of nearby resorts.
Lots of winter alternatives to downhill skiing.
Lifts are generally modern and efficient due to the rapid growth of the major ski centres in recent years.
Probably the world's best snowmobiling destination.
Friendly and hospitable local people.
Good rail and air links (rail better than in the US), as well as road, to many of the major resorts
Bad PointsGenerally very cold and it can be exceptionally so.
Most resorts on the western side of Canada are a long way from anywhere else.
Skiing in East Coast resorts is rarely extensive or challenging, although there are some exceptions
Resorts in Canada
ApexHeight: 600m
With a motto of " Real skiing, real people, real value", Apex Alpine aims to offer the true spiri...
Banff Mount Norquay
Height: 1,739m
The original of the three Banff Ski areas, smallest and still the closest, with great skiing incl...
Beaver Valley
Height: 256m
Big White
Height: 1,755m
The highest (and second largest) resort in British Columbia is known to local's as the 'Friendly ...
Blue Mountain
Height: 230m
Established by Jozo Weider in 1941, Intrawest bought a 50% share in the area in January 1999. On...
Bromont
Height: 168m
Full-service resort with more than 45 trails illuminated for skiing nightly. More facilities in ...
Calabogie Peaks
Height: 154m
Centre Municipal de Ski 40-80
Height: 275m
A full service year-round resort centred on the Hotel Le Chantelcer near the community of Saint-A...
Cypress Mountain
Height: 913m
Cypress Mountain is the Official Freestyle Skiing and Snowboarding Venue for the 2010 Olympic Win...
Devil's Elbow
5kn from the town of Bethany with runs shaped from beautiful sheltered cedar and hardwood forests...
Fernie Alpine Resort
Height: 1,068m
With an annual snowfall of 8.75 m (29 feet) and limitless terrain, Fernie has a ski experience to...
Fortress Mountain
Height: 2,040m
Full-service ski area located 45 minutes from the facilities of Canmore and close to the Nakiska ...
Gray Rocks Ski Resort
Height: 239m
One of Canada's best known ski areas is located in one of the world's oldest mountain ranges and ...
Grouse Mountain
Height: 762m
Grouse Mountain is one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges in North Vancouver, Bri...
Horseshoe
Height: 122m
A year round luxury resort.
Hudson Bay Mountain Resort
Height: 1,143m
Popular local centre with substantial skiing above the tree-line. Located 22km (14 miles) from t...
Kicking Horse
Height: 1,314m
The owners of Kicking Horse is the remarkable remake of the former Whitetooth resort. Installati...
Kimberley
Height: 1,280m
Full service ski-in resort located 2.5km (1.5 miles) from the 'Bavarian' town of Kimberley with i...
Lake Louise
Height: 1,646m
There's an easy trail from the top of every chair. Daycare for children aged 18 days or older.
Marmot Basin
Height: 1,704m
Heaven on earth for lovers of unpretentious, untamed skiing with piste borders kept to a minimum,...
Mont Avila
Height: 187m
Mont Blanc
A full-service ski-in/ski-out resort offering the second highest drop in the Laurentian mountains...
Mont Gabriel
Height: 233m
One of the top resorts in the Laurentides, with snowmaking on most runs and uplift provide by an ...
Mont Olympia
Height: 421m
One of the Mont Saint-Sauveur resorts, rare in North America for sharing a common lift ticket, as...
Mont Orford
Height: 305m
A year-round multi-sports and leisure centre which in winter is based around Village Mont Orford ...
Mont Saint - Sauveur
Height: 213m
A year-round resort spreading over five mountains and the popular village of Saint Sauveur at its...
Mont Sainte Anne
Height: 175m
The biggest night-skiing vertical in Canada ( 625 M ), located thirty minutes ( 25 miles ) from h...
Mont Sutton
Height: 400m
A family-owned resort, Mont Sutton offers skiing through some of the most beautiful glades ( Sous...
Mont Tremblant Resort
Height: 265m
One of Canada's best known ski areas located in one of the world's oldest mountain ranges and wit...
Mount St Louis - Moonstone Ski Resort
Height: 244m
One of Ontario's biggest ski areas, 2 base lodges, impressive uplift, full snow-making cover, fre...
Mt Washington
Height: 1,083m
The largest ski area on Vancouver Island and the third most visited ski centre in the Province, r...
Nakiska
Height: 1,525m
Purpose-built to stage the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics Alpine events, accommodation is centred o...
Owl's Head
Height: 207m
Well established centre offering top to bottom runs for all standards. The ski experience is enh...
Panorama
Height: 1,160m
Located within the largest heli-skiing area in the world, and with one of the largest verticals i...
Powder King
Height: 935m
Favoured for its dry, consistent powder and great gladed tree and bowl skiing. Powder King is a ...
Red Mountain Resort
Height: 1,187m
A large ski area spanning two mountains with a long history (Western Canada's first chairlift was...
Revelstoke
Height: 800m
Revelstoke, BC is located on the Columbia River between the Selkirk and Monashee Mountains, surro...
Silver Star Mountain Resort
Height: 1,155m
Silver Start has two ski areas - Vance Creek and the newer Putnam Creek. The resort has an 1890s...
Sir Sam's
Height: 357m
A classic, secluded resort offering a host of activities - beach and hill based, year round. Fro...
Ski Dagmar
Ski Morin Heights
Height: 200m
With 100% snow-making, Morin Heights participates in a combination pass with five neighbouring sk...
Ski Snow Valley
Stoneham
Height: 213m
Year round destination resort with comprehensive snow-making, night-skiing, ski-in accommodation ...
Sun Peaks
Height: 1,198m
One of the largest ski areas in Canada with light, dry powder spread across 3 unique mountains. E...
Sunshine Village - Ski and Snowboard Resort
Height: 1,658m
With slopes facing in all directions, Sunshine is one of North America's oldest resorts, dating b...
Talisman Mountain Resort
Height: 236m
Talisman Mountain Resort is nestled in the spectacular Beaver Valley, a UNESCO World Biosphere Re...
Whistler
Height: 675m
Whilst many of the great European ski resorts tend to rest on their laurels, Whistler has shot up...