Unforgettable Canadian skiing holidays
Canada is the land of snowfall, mythical mountains, spectacular glacial scenery, and forested slopes – all put to good use at the best ski resorts in Canada. If you’re wondering where to go on vacation, we’ll head in the direction of the best skiing in Canada, and explain why private jet charter and Canada holidays go together like skis and snow.
Most of the best skiing in Canada is in Western Canada – the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta – and to a lesser extent, Ontario and Quebec. Canada vacations remain popular because they cater not only to expert skiers and snowboarders; they’re also a great vacation idea for families, offering a number of ski resorts for beginners and plenty of activities off the slopes.
The best weather for skiing in Canada is from November through April, although Alberta and British Columbia tend to have an extended ski season thanks to a milder climate.
Ski resorts in Alberta, Canada
Alberta’s Rocky Mountains are home to the three biggest ski resorts in the province: Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay – famous for large amounts of light, dry snow that produces some of the best skiing in Canada. All three are located in Banff National Park.
Lake Louise Ski Resort
You may be wondering, “Where should I go on vacation if I’m an intermediate skier”? Big White has you covered with a wealth of intermediate runs as well as terrain perfectly suited to beginners and experts. Offering some of the best powder days in Canada, Big White has 16 lifts and 2,600 acres of terrain in the exquisite Okanagan Valley, close to the city of Kelowna.
You may be wondering, “Where should I go on vacation if I’m an intermediate skier”? Big White has you covered with a wealth of intermediate runs as well as terrain perfectly suited to beginners and experts. Offering some of the best powder days in Canada, Big White has 16 lifts and 2,600 acres of terrain in the exquisite Okanagan Valley, close to the city of Kelowna.
Banff National Park was the first national park to make it onto the Canada map. An hour away from the town of Banff, Lake Louise’s slopes boast spectacular views over the Bow Valley and surrounding mountains. This resort is ideal for all skiers, from extreme sports skiers to those who have come on family vacations in Canada to learn the sport. More than 4,200 acres of skiable terrain offers diverse skiing conditions – from wide-open bowls, steeps and chutes, to a number of groomed runs.
Sunshine Village
One of the ‘big three’ set in Banff National Park, Sunshine Village takes skiers by gondola from the parking lot to the village at the base of the runs. From there, lifts carry skiers to runs above the tree line where they are treated to wide-open bowls and jaw-dropping vistas of the Rocky Mountains. More than half the runs are ideal for intermediate skiers, although Goats Eye Mountain offers a choice of extreme and advanced terrain for experts. Just under a quarter of the resort falls into the beginner category with particularly easy blue runs on Mount Standish and Lookout Mountain.
Mt.Norquay
Mt. Norquay offers not only some of the best skiing in Canada, it is also one of the best ways to experience national parks in Canada. The resort is home to one of Canada’s largest and longest-running snow schools, which makes it a great choice for those just starting out or for more experienced skiers who would like to improve their skills.
A private jet rental can take you directly to Banff Airport, an international private jet airport just two miles northeast of Banff. Your private jet cost includes a dedicated private jet charter expert who is available at all times to assist you with any requirements you may have, from arranging in-flight cuisine to making last-minute changes to your private jet hire. If you fly by commercial airliner, you will need to land at Calgary International Airport, 75 miles from Banff.
Ski resorts in British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia has more than 55 ski resorts that offer exhilarating downhill skiing thanks to an abundance of snow, light powder, elevated mountain ranges and a gentle climate. This makes it one of the best places to vacation in Canada.
Sun Peaks Resort
Sun Peaks Resort’s three mountains offer a mix of terrain for both alpine and Nordic skiing, suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. The ski area of 1,500 hectares is the second biggest in British Columbia and the third biggest in Canada.
Whistler Blackcomb
Just two hours from Vancouver, the side-by-side mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb make up the biggest area of slopes in North America. At their base is the quaint European-style Whistler Village. Some of the world’s top skiers head for Whistler-Blackcomb but even beginners can enjoy this Winter Olympics venue that offers plenty of open-bowls and groomed runs for beginners all the way through to extreme categories. The mountains are connected by the world-renowned 1.86-mile-long PEAK 2 PEAK gondola and the world’s longest unsupported lift span, which gives skiers a breathtaking view of the Coast Mountains.
Big White
You may be wondering, “Where should I go on vacation if I’m an intermediate skier”? Big White has you covered with a wealth of intermediate runs as well as terrain perfectly suited to beginners and experts. Offering some of the best powder days in Canada, Big White has 16 lifts and 2,600 acres of terrain in the exquisite Okanagan Valley, close to the city of Kelowna.
Red Mountain
One of the best ski resorts in Canada for steeps, trees and cliff drops, Red Mountain’s black and double black diamonds are popular with experts and extreme skiers. Intermediate runs can be enjoyed on Grey Mountain and Granite Mountain, while green and blue runs snake between pine glades with a gentle three-mile run back to base lodge. Although there are luxury condos at the base lodge, most visitors stay in the old mining town of Rossland close by.
Ski resorts in Ontario, Canada
Ontario many not have its very own mountain range, but Blue Mountain still manages to deliver a vertical drop of 720 feet. If you’d like to try out the hotels in Toronto, you’ll still be able to take advantage of a selection of groomed hills and efficient lift systems at resorts not far from the city’s bars, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Keep in mind when planning your Canada holiday that the Ontario ski season is best experienced from mid-December through March.
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain Resort’s 36 runs make it the best beginners ski resort in Ontario with day- and night-time skiing on offer. It’s the third most popular ski resort in Canada, for both its skiing and non-skiing activities. Try the toboggan tours, slide down the escarpment in the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, or take part in some figure skating at the Mill Pond Rink.
Ski Resorts in Quebec, Canada
Although Quebec lacks the soaring mountain ranges of British Columbia, its ski resorts have the advantage of being close to two vibrant urban areas: Quebec City and Montreal. Skiers who rent a jet from Toronto in the morning, can be on the slopes of Mont-Tremblant by lunchtime.
Mont-Tremblant
Picturebook-perfect and tucked into the Laurentian Mountains northwest of Montreal, Mont-Tremblant is one of the best Canada vacation spots to learn to ski with plenty of green runs on offer, over 665 acres of skiable terrain, and a lift capacity of 27,230 skiers per hour. There are also a few double black diamond runs with a 2,000-foot vertical drop, and a variety of off-slope activities in the nearby Quebecois-style village of multicolored low-rise buildings.
Mont Sainte Anne
Mont Sainte Anne, just 30 minutes from Quebec City, has 69 trails and a large beginner’s zone. If you haven’t yet made up your mind on where to go on vacation, Mont Sainte Anne is a riot of activity during the Quebec Winter Carnival and offers a variety of off-slope activities – from tubing and snowshoeing, to a ski museum.
Le Massif
Le Massif, at the highest point east of the Canadian Rockies, offers alpine and cross-country skiing as well as snowboarding and ice-climbing. Unlike many other ski resorts, skiers arrive at the top of the mountain and ski down to the St. Lawrence River. There are six lifts carrying skiers to 52 runs over 401 acres, and the area is set to expand soon. The resort is one hour away from Quebec City by train; or you could get a private jet charter quote for a helicopter rental which would set you down closer to your destination and have you skiing in no time.
Best family-focused Canada ski resorts
The high snowfall at Silver Star in British Columbia allows resort management to plan a full program of winter activities for young and old, making it one of the best family vacations in Canada. Things to do include family snow sports clinics and a charming village to explore at the base of the slopes. Other family-focused ski resorts include Blue Mountain Ski Resort, just two hours north of Toronto, and the picturesque Mont-Tremblant, both mentioned earlier in this post.
Best Canada vacations on a budget
Fernie Alpine Resort in British Columbia offers a variety of price options if you stay at a hotel in the town of Fernie, while Kimberley Alpine Resort is not only the sunniest skiing in British Columbia, but its ‘best kept secret’ status means the slopes are usually crowd-free. Boler Mountain in Ontario is a not-for-profit skiing operation that started in 1949. Its 15 runs, terrain park, tube hill, and four lifts offer some of the lowest-priced skiing in Canada.
Keep in mind when budgeting for your private flight cost, that the type of aircaft you choose will affect the jet lease cost. If you are flying a short distance, rent a plane that is smaller and will lower the cost of flight on a private jet. Very light jets or ‘air taxis’, as well as helicopters and propeller planes, cost less to fly while still being comfortable for short-haul flights. Air taxis can also land and takeoff from shorter runways and landing strips. This gives you access by private jet charter to remote destinations and smaller, local airports closer to your skiing destination.