Our criteria for the Best Canada Ski Resorts gives greater consideration to: annual snow fall, vertical rise, facilities/amenities, and scenery.
The Best
Canada Ski Resorts
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The three Banff Ski Resorts, Alberta
Located in Banff National Park, the are 3 world class ski areas: Lake Louise, Mount Norquay, and Sunshine Village. Ski tickets are honored at all three. Of the three, we have chosen Lake louise and Sunshine as our top two picks.
Lake Louise
Trails: Beginner 25%: Intermediate 45%; Expert 30%
Adult daily lift ticket: $C75.95 (2008/2009), Annual snow fall: 144 inches, Vertical drop: 3,250 ft. Ski able acres 4,200
The second largest ski area in Canada is one of the most scenic ski areas in North America. With 4,200 acres of ski able area, and a trail layout that allows skiers of all levels to reach the four mountain faces together. For a bit of historic and charming lodging, they have a large castle-like hotel that was built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad about 100 years ago. There are also natural hot springs.
Sunshine Village, Alberta
Trails: Beginner 20%: Intermediate 55%; Expert 25%
Adult daily lift ticket: $C75.95 (2008/2009), Annual snow fall:410 inches, Vertical drop: 3,515 ft. (1070 meters); ski able acres: 3,358
The oldest Canadian ski area sits at the top of the Continental divide and with most of the ski able terrain above 7,000 feet, they are noted for un crowded slopes and a huge amount of annual snowfall, more than 3 times the other Banff ski areas. There extra long season runs from mid-November until late May. With 12 different lifts including seven modern quad chairs, the most in the Rockies, and the new high-speed 8 passenger gondola, skiers can reach all the runs in just under 13 minutes.
Whistler Mountain Ski Resort, British Columbia
Trails: Beginner 20%: Intermediate 55%; Expert 25%
Adult daily lift ticket: $C60-80 (2007/2008), Annual snow fall:402 inches, Vertical drop: 5,020 ft.; ski able acres: 4,757
The largest ski resort in Canada has abundant snow fall of 402 inches, scenic glaciers and bowls, 21 high-speed lifts, and acres of expert and extreme skiing. There is also a charming village, with international shops, and more than 100 restaurants. And if that isn't enough, there is the adjacent Blackcomb mountain with with another 3,400 acres and 17 lifts.
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