Skiing & Snowboarding in Canada's Rocky Mountains
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Canadian Rockies, Canada.
There is a place with snow-covered peaks, rugged valleys, stunning glaciers and quaint mountain towns, where snow falls for several months every year, usually in feet, often fast and furiously and always leaving a blanket of white, fluffy champagne powder. The place? The Canadian Rocky Mountains—the country's premier winter playground.
As such, the Rockies are full of ski slopes and winter trails for skiers, snowboarders, telemarkers, snowshoers and those who just want to have fun in the snow. Some resorts and ski hills supply world-class systems and services while others offer a smaller, quieter, more local experience. Groomed trails, glade areas, fresh powder and terrain parks are all in evidence. Kids and adults alike can build snowmen, take magical sleigh and dog-sled rides, shriek with glee while tubing or tobogganing and then relax, breath a sigh of satisfaction and soak in an open-air hot tub.
THE ALBERTA ROCKIES
Lake Louise
It is fair to say that there is something for everyone at the world-class Lake Louise Mountain Resort, and with 1,700 ski-able ha (4,200 acres) visitors can easily get lost—from each other—if they choose. That said, many of its ski lifts serve both beginner and intermediate runs, so groups of varying abilities can spend the day skiing and riding together. The resort has a large and impressive log base lodge and spectacular mountain views. Natural snowfall of just 4 m (13 ft) annually is supplemented by a 40 per cent snow-making capacity.
Banff
Sunshine is a short—in Canadian terms—stone's throw away from both Lake Louise and Banff. It is known for having a long season, which stretches into late May, and for receiving a high annual snowfall of 9 m (30 ft).
Sunshine's large, open bowls give intermediate skiers a heap of runs to choose from and the terrain park makes it an attractive place for snowboarders to ride. Extreme terrain is also available a short hike from the top of the Continental Divide chair lift but skiers and riders must be equipped with avalanche safety gear to take on Delirium Dive. The Banff area's only ski-in, ski-out accommodation is located in Sunshine Village at Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Heading east along the Trans-Canada Highway and almost back into Banff will take snow enthusiasts to Norquay, the locals' mountain. Families will feel at home here and the gentle ski hill encourages beginners to venture onto the snow. Situated just 7 km (4 mi) from Banff, Norquay also offers the only night skiing in the area, which includes a floodlit terrain park for daring riders and skiers.
Kananaskis
Nakiska, located in Kananaskis Country, is only 75 km (46 mi) west of Calgary. Built for the 1988 Winter Games, it affords skiers the challenge of an Olympic downhill run, as well as well-groomed runs and a family-oriented feel. Because of its location on the edge of the Rockies, snowfall can be unpredictable and therefore Nakiska's snow-making capacity is a high 85 per cent.
Jasper
Farther afield, in Jasper National Park, is the relatively isolated resort of Marmot Basin. Situated some 415 km (257 mi) north of Calgary and 385 km (239 mi) west of Edmonton, its location makes it a quieter option than its southern cousins. Snowfall in Jasper is not as plentiful as at other resorts in the Rockies but when it does arrive it's light and fluffy, making Marmot Basin's laid-back atmosphere and 690 ski-able ha (1,700 acres) popular with powder hounds.
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA ROCKIES
Golden/Kicking Horse Country
The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the farthest north of the ski hills in British Columbia's Rockies and is situated 12 km (8 mi) from Golden. Recently developed, it boasts a resort feel with several places to stay and dine right on the mountain. Kicking Horse's attributes are varied; black-diamond skiers and riders can tackle its steep and challenging upper mountain, intermediate visitors will enjoy its wide runs and kids and adults alike can delight in the thrills and spills of tubing.
Revelstoke
The development of Revelstoke's local ski hill into a luxury resort began in 2008 and with a whopping average annual snowfall of 15 m (50 ft) it has some great conditions for powder-seeking skiers and riders. Revelstoke Mountain Resort's emphasis is on its snowcat, heli and backcountry skiing, while high-speed lifts take advanced skiers and riders to some challenging terrain.
The Columbia Valley
South along Highway 95 is Panorama Mountain Village, a purpose-built ski resort that promises mountain fun in both winter and summer. Modern hotel and chalet accommodations are interwoven with several restaurants, and families with young children will find Panorama a welcoming place to stay and ski. The ski school is large for the size of the hill and beginners have plenty of terrain on which to test out new skills. The runs are well groomed to maintain snow conditions as the mountain receives just 4 m (13 ft) of the white stuff annually.
Kimberley
Another family-oriented resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort has intermediate terrain and teaching programs for all levels, including one for adaptive skiers, and often hosts training for paralympic athletes. Ski-in, ski-out accommodations are available on the mountain or visitors can choose lodgings in the Bavarian-themed town of Kimberley, a short 2 km (1 mi) away.
Fernie
The Fernie Alpine Resort belongs to the same company as Kimberley but offers more challenging options for skiers wanting steeps, chutes, glade skiing and a good chance of deep powder. Naturally challenging terrain with several gullies and plenty of harder-to-reach off-piste areas is the resort's pride. Fernie provides a range of on-mountain accommodation, as well as village stays just 7 km (4 mi) away in the town of the same name.
For those looking for non-ski/snowboard activities, most of the British Columbia Rockies' resorts also offer dog-sled rides, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
As such, the Rockies are full of ski slopes and winter trails for skiers, snowboarders, telemarkers, snowshoers and those who just want to have fun in the snow. Some resorts and ski hills supply world-class systems and services while others offer a smaller, quieter, more local experience. Groomed trails, glade areas, fresh powder and terrain parks are all in evidence. Kids and adults alike can build snowmen, take magical sleigh and dog-sled rides, shriek with glee while tubing or tobogganing and then relax, breath a sigh of satisfaction and soak in an open-air hot tub.
THE ALBERTA ROCKIES
Lake Louise
It is fair to say that there is something for everyone at the world-class Lake Louise Mountain Resort, and with 1,700 ski-able ha (4,200 acres) visitors can easily get lost—from each other—if they choose. That said, many of its ski lifts serve both beginner and intermediate runs, so groups of varying abilities can spend the day skiing and riding together. The resort has a large and impressive log base lodge and spectacular mountain views. Natural snowfall of just 4 m (13 ft) annually is supplemented by a 40 per cent snow-making capacity.
Banff
Sunshine is a short—in Canadian terms—stone's throw away from both Lake Louise and Banff. It is known for having a long season, which stretches into late May, and for receiving a high annual snowfall of 9 m (30 ft).
Sunshine's large, open bowls give intermediate skiers a heap of runs to choose from and the terrain park makes it an attractive place for snowboarders to ride. Extreme terrain is also available a short hike from the top of the Continental Divide chair lift but skiers and riders must be equipped with avalanche safety gear to take on Delirium Dive. The Banff area's only ski-in, ski-out accommodation is located in Sunshine Village at Sunshine Mountain Lodge.
Heading east along the Trans-Canada Highway and almost back into Banff will take snow enthusiasts to Norquay, the locals' mountain. Families will feel at home here and the gentle ski hill encourages beginners to venture onto the snow. Situated just 7 km (4 mi) from Banff, Norquay also offers the only night skiing in the area, which includes a floodlit terrain park for daring riders and skiers.
Kananaskis
Nakiska, located in Kananaskis Country, is only 75 km (46 mi) west of Calgary. Built for the 1988 Winter Games, it affords skiers the challenge of an Olympic downhill run, as well as well-groomed runs and a family-oriented feel. Because of its location on the edge of the Rockies, snowfall can be unpredictable and therefore Nakiska's snow-making capacity is a high 85 per cent.
Jasper
Farther afield, in Jasper National Park, is the relatively isolated resort of Marmot Basin. Situated some 415 km (257 mi) north of Calgary and 385 km (239 mi) west of Edmonton, its location makes it a quieter option than its southern cousins. Snowfall in Jasper is not as plentiful as at other resorts in the Rockies but when it does arrive it's light and fluffy, making Marmot Basin's laid-back atmosphere and 690 ski-able ha (1,700 acres) popular with powder hounds.
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA ROCKIES
Golden/Kicking Horse Country
The Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is the farthest north of the ski hills in British Columbia's Rockies and is situated 12 km (8 mi) from Golden. Recently developed, it boasts a resort feel with several places to stay and dine right on the mountain. Kicking Horse's attributes are varied; black-diamond skiers and riders can tackle its steep and challenging upper mountain, intermediate visitors will enjoy its wide runs and kids and adults alike can delight in the thrills and spills of tubing.
Revelstoke
The development of Revelstoke's local ski hill into a luxury resort began in 2008 and with a whopping average annual snowfall of 15 m (50 ft) it has some great conditions for powder-seeking skiers and riders. Revelstoke Mountain Resort's emphasis is on its snowcat, heli and backcountry skiing, while high-speed lifts take advanced skiers and riders to some challenging terrain.
The Columbia Valley
South along Highway 95 is Panorama Mountain Village, a purpose-built ski resort that promises mountain fun in both winter and summer. Modern hotel and chalet accommodations are interwoven with several restaurants, and families with young children will find Panorama a welcoming place to stay and ski. The ski school is large for the size of the hill and beginners have plenty of terrain on which to test out new skills. The runs are well groomed to maintain snow conditions as the mountain receives just 4 m (13 ft) of the white stuff annually.
Kimberley
Another family-oriented resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort has intermediate terrain and teaching programs for all levels, including one for adaptive skiers, and often hosts training for paralympic athletes. Ski-in, ski-out accommodations are available on the mountain or visitors can choose lodgings in the Bavarian-themed town of Kimberley, a short 2 km (1 mi) away.
Fernie
The Fernie Alpine Resort belongs to the same company as Kimberley but offers more challenging options for skiers wanting steeps, chutes, glade skiing and a good chance of deep powder. Naturally challenging terrain with several gullies and plenty of harder-to-reach off-piste areas is the resort's pride. Fernie provides a range of on-mountain accommodation, as well as village stays just 7 km (4 mi) away in the town of the same name.
For those looking for non-ski/snowboard activities, most of the British Columbia Rockies' resorts also offer dog-sled rides, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
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