The Canadian province of British Columbia isn’t just a skiing destination, it’s a full-on winter immersion. From the moment you land in BC, ready to discover a plethora of ski resorts, you know that this is a place that knows, loves and respects the mountains.
The Canuck (that’s slang for Canadian) ski culture here runs deep. It starts with the barista handing you your morning coffee and a BeaverTails pastry with a side of insider tips on where to find the best powder – because sharing is caring.
It goes through to the lifties greeting you with grins and high-fives as you load up for another lap, then a soak in a lakeside hot spring with mountain views for days. And it wraps up with a craft beer and axe throwing before a plaid-wearing bartender slides a perfectly spiced Caesar (think Bloody Mary but with clamato juice) your way.
Here’s what we love about Canadian ski culture and BC’s epic terrain.
Home to North America’s biggest ski terrain
British Columbia knows big mountains. The mountain ranges of the province were formed over 100 million years ago, with 75 percent of BC now covered by 10 mountain ranges. This is great news for skiers and snowboarders, who can access 13 destination ski resorts.
Some of the best in North America can be found here, and each has its own unique appeal. Whistler Blackcomb is the largest ski resort in North America with 8171 skiable acres (not including all the backcountry terrain), over 60 percent of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is black or double black terrain, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort has the largest vertical drop of any ski resort in North America (1700m).
The Powder Highway and beyond
Unique to British Columbia, the Powder Highway road trip route takes in eight glorious ski resorts offering something for everyone in your group or family.
Hit up Fernie Alpine Resort’s five alpine bowls and wild west town, enjoy the convenience of Panorama Mountain Resort’s ski-in ski-out village, and discover the Champagne Powder Capital of Canada™, Kicking Horse. You can also explore Revelstoke’s railway heritage town and big mountain skiing at the resort, relax into Kimberley Alpine Resort’s family charm, fall in love with the laid back vibe of Red Mountain Resort’s core skiing community, and get to know why everyone talks about the famous powder of Whitewater Ski Resort.
Looking for pedestrian-only villages filled with Canadian charm? Then head to the Okanagan and the storybook village of SilverStar Mountain Resort, filled with multi-coloured chalets perched on a hill, or try Big White Ski Resort’s family-friendly runs and the famed snow ghosts. You’ll also find Canada’s most successful Winter Olympian, Nancy Greene, on the slopes of Sun Peaks Ski Resort’s three mountain peaks, with terrain for all levels from Olympic elite to first timer.
The birthplace of heli and cat-skiing
You know you’re in a primo skiing destination when it boasts 17 heli-skiing operators, not to mention they were the first in the world. Few know that British Columbia is the birthplace of heli-skiing, with Austrian Hans Gromer launching the world’s first leisure heli-skiing operation (CMH Heli-Ski) back in 1965.
Today, skiers and boarders can choose from single day heli-skiing operators near Whistler, Panorama, Revelstoke and Kicking Horse, or bed down for multi-day remote lodge heli-skiing deep in the mountains for everything from powder intro weeks for first timers to extreme steeps and deeps for the gnarly.
We can also thank Alan Drury who, in 1975, founded the world’s first cat-skiing operation at Selkirk Snowcat Skiing, and is celebrating 50 years in business this year! Simply ride up in a passenger cabin cat machine to access untracked powder, make your ski mark on the way back down, meet the cat at the bottom and do it again. British Columbia now has 18 cat-skiing operators from remote lodges to day trips, and some resorts even have single cat skiing options within bounds (Revelstoke and Red Mountain).
Adventure, BC style – axes, ice hockey, horses and cabins
It’s not all about skiing and snowboarding. Resorts across British Columbia excel in experiences that go far beyond the slopes.
When the chairlifts shut, where else can you try ice fishing in a special-made, igloo-shaped heated tent while the sun goes down? Or take part in some axe throwing in Revelstoke, a helicopter up the mountain to eat fondue at Panorama, light shows in the forest at Big White and Whistler, and a sleigh ride to a cabin at SilverStar?
And then there’s one of the province’s best-kept secrets, the stunning skating loop at Apex Mountain Resort – a sparkly skate through the trees that feels like a true winter wonderland experience.
And yes, ice hockey is a near-daily event, whether you head to the nearest town for a roaring game or grab a stick on a pond rink yourself.
Après – the Canadian way
Après in British Columbia is all about Caesars, the beloved spicy tomato-clam vodka cocktail, served with enough garnishes that they’re almost a meal in themselves. You also can’t leave without trying a poutine, because those cheese curds and gravy on hot chips have to be sampled to be believed.
As for all that alpine air, it makes for the perfect recipe for brewing. Those keen to taste the local favourite craft beers will have to put Rossland Beer Company, Nelson Brewing Company and Mt Begbie Brewery at the top of their list while skiing RED Mountain, Whitewater Ski Resort and Revelstoke.
Spirit lovers will love the experience at Fernie Distillery or Monashee Spirits, where the spirits are made with mountain spring water. Wine connoisseurs aren’t left out either, with over 200 wineries accessible from Big White, Apex, SilverStar and Sun Peaks.
If you’re looking for more than just a ski trip, and chasing snow with character and charm, British Columbia is waiting for you. Click here to say hello and find out more.
