Outdoors

ski schools

Canada is a country that hosts a number of award-winning top ski resorts. They are easy to access since most mountain ski resorts are no more than a one to two hour drive from any major airport. Many of the Canadian ski resorts have numerous features that draw avid skiers, such as diverse terrain, legendary powder, big verticals, spectacular scenery, high-speed lifts and much more.

Most of the Canadian resorts enjoy a long ski season that starts in early November and extends through to June. However, the skiing resorts which are located in Whistler, British Columbia (just north of Vancouver, BC), have seen even longer seasons. In the Whistler area, it is common for people to still be able to ski throughout the summer months. In addition, several of the top ski resorts also utilize snow making equipment to ensure that mountain activities are available year-round.

One of the up-and-coming Canadian ski resorts today is the Fernie Alpine Resort. While this resort is still relatively unknown, it is becoming more and more popular. Fernie is located in the spectacular Kootenay Rockies and is only a three-hour drive from the city of Calgary, Alberta.

The Fernie Alpine Resort is known for the amazing powder snow that it boasts and because it is still unknown as one of the best Canadian ski resorts, you will rarely encounter crowded conditions on the slopes. This top ski resort usually receives about 29 feet of snow per season, so even toward the end of the ski season there is plenty of white powder. Fernie does offer some challenging blue and green runs to keep the experienced skier stimulated. There are also many skiing opportunities for beginners among the 107 designated trails at this resort.

Fernie Alpine Resort also offers what many of the other Canadian resorts do not; the ability to ski-in and ski-out of your accommodations. For many ski aficionados, the chance to go straight from the slopes to your door is the perfect scenario and a delightful benefit that helps to make this a perfect choice for a winter vacation. In addition to the ski-in convenience, Fernie is also family friendly with a childcare center that features ski schools for the little ones.

Another Canadian skiing destination worth checking out is the Big White Ski Resort, which is located in the Okanagan area of British Columbia. Big White is Canada’s largest resort that has been designed as a ski-in/ski-out winter retreat. Similar to the Fernie area, Big White is well-known for the “champagne powder” snow that it receives and for the unparalleled mountain top views of the pine tree packed valleys and slopes of the area.

Big White has the honor of being the highest situated winter village of all the Canadian ski lodges and receives over 25 feet of snow on an average basis. Big White Ski Resort also has an extensive Kid’s Center, which they claim is the ultimate playground for children. Ski Canada magazine recently rated this top ski resort as the “Best Resort for Kids.”

The Silver Star Ski Resort and the Sun Peaks Ski Resort are two other Canadian ski resorts that deserve to be mentioned as well. Both of these fine ski resorts feature easy access, various ski runs to accommodate different skill levels and a range of other sports and activities for guests who do not ski. With the continued favorable exchange rate, these destinations also offer a great ski vacation to those who need to stick to a budget.