British Columbia is known for its amazing natural beauty and picturesque mountains. British Columbia’s ski resorts are a top destination for travelers. From steep slopes to knee-deep powder, British Columbia is a skiers’ paradise and has some of the best skiing in the world. Join me in exploring Canada and the wonderful snowy peaks of beautiful British Columbia.
Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb has a local and worldwide reputation as one of the best ski resorts in British Columbia, if not the world. Not only does the resort have two different mountains to choose from, but there is a gondola that can take you between the mountains. Besides skiing, people come to Whistler Village for its amazing atmosphere, fine dining, and cute little shops.
Whistler
Whistler is just one of the incredible mountains that the Whistler Blackcomb resort has to offer. Not only does Whistler have great ski runs for beginners, but it also has some of the most challenging runs in North America for those skiers who crave an adrenaline rush.
Since Whistler is such a massive mountain, they have gondolas that will whisk you up to the first chair lift. From the gondolas, you will see some pretty amazing views of the village and the mountains surrounding the resort. Once you’ve reached the first chair lift you will have a choice, to either ski down an easy green run or take the next chair to the roundhouse lodge and the central hub of Whistler. Making the choice is easy because once you’re on that chair lift you will see the perfect snow and beautifully groomed runs of Whistler.
A beginners guide to Whistler
Beginners will love the Family Zone. It is the perfect place to learn how to ski and just have some fun. As its name implies, the Family Zone is a place to take the family and children. The Ego Bowl is the main green run of the Family Zone and offers peace of mind for beginners. Since the Ego Bowl is a groomed run, it is perfect for those skiers who are just starting out and want a safe hill to ski. However, for those kids who are a little more adventurous, they will love the terrain park where they can try small jumps and glide on wide boxes.
Kids will love gliding over the snow and darting in and out of the trees on the side of the runs. There are even some places where people have carved out little trails with jumps at the end. For those skiers who love skiing in the trees, I recommend checking out the enchanted forest. It is a wonderful trail surrounded by hundreds of trees and is perfect for taking your kids. Be sure to stick together as the trail branches off multiple times.
There is a lot of skiing that can be done in Whistler for kids. However, some kids need a break and Whistler has the perfect place. Off of a cat track (flat trail), there is a hidden playground called the tree fort. To get there you will need to travel through a magical tunnel that will transport you to a beautiful and massive tree fort. It truly is the perfect place to rest and have a quick snack before heading back out on the slopes.
If you are a beginner skier, you will love the bottom half of Whistler as it is mostly green and blue runs. It is said, if you want a challenge, you can try some of the more difficult runs, like Franz’s Meadow.
A guide for Adrenaline Junkies
We now turn the difficulty up to eleven and jump to the Peak. The Peak is home to some of the hardest and steepest runs in Whistler. They may seem a little bit intimidating at first, but if you take your time, you can conquer the Peak. From black diamonds to double blacks, the Peak is the perfect place for an adrenaline rush. There are even some hidden places that give you amazing views before dropping you into some moggles.
If you want something a little easier but still challenging, make sure to take the Harmony Express and try the Glacier Bowl. At the top of the mountain, you will see an incredible view of a snowy wonderland before diving into the amazing bowl.
Now, some skiers prefer more of a challenge and, if that is you, make sure to take the Symphony Express and then hike or ski to the Flute Bowl. It may seem like a lot of work, but not many skiers do it, which means there is usually a lot of untouched powder.
The Peak-2-Peak Gondola
After exploring all of Whistler, be sure to take a trip over to Blackcomb on the Peak-2-Peak Gondola. It is an amazing experience. Just sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views of the mountains as you travel over a beautiful valley.
Blackcomb
Blackcomb is the lesser-known and lesser skied mountain in the resort. Like Whistler, Blackcomb has something for everyone. Whether it is a terrain park you’re looking for or a nice and easy groomed run you can find it at Blackcomb.
Similar to Whistler’s family zone, Blackcomb has the Nintendo Terrain Park and a smaller Family Zone. In this area, you will find tons of green and blue runs as well as amazing jumps and hidden trails in the trees. There might be less to do on Blackcomb but it has one of the most beautiful runs in North America. 7th Heaven is a run that is known for its beauty and picturesque views. Make sure to take lots of pictures as it is one of the most beautiful views in British Columbia.
If the Peak’s runs weren’t enough for you be sure to check out the famous Spanky’s Ladder. This is a run that you have to hike to just to drop in. Not only that but the platform where you clip in is incredibly small. All of that is a cakewalk compared to the run itself. Spanky’s Ladder is a steep and narrow run filled with giant moggles and sharp rocks. Spanky’s Ladder eventually leads you into the Ruby Bowl which is another Double Black.
While you’re on Blackcomb be sure to check out the Garnet Bowl and the Diamond Bowl. However, if you’re searching for a true adrenaline rush try the Sapphire Bowl. This particular area is home to the Sapphire chutes. Another area where hiking is necessary but if you want to try something crazy this is the run for you. the chute is a crack in the mountain where skiers can ski through.
Whistler Village
Be sure to end your day at Whistler and enjoy a nice meal in the Village. A local favourite is Pasta Lupino. They serve classic Italian dishes with handmade pasta. It is a great place to sit down and eat after skiing. You can even buy their pasta and take it home with you. If fine dining is more your thing be sure to try the Araxi Restaurant & Oyster Bar or the Bearfoot Bistro.
For dessert make sure to check out the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and try some of their incredible chocolate and their famous fudge. Not only is their fudge delicious but you can see them making it in the store. Also, they hand out samples so be sure to try some before deciding what treat you will get.
Sun Peaks Resort
Sun Peaks is a wonderful ski resort in the Interior of British Columbia. It is more of a family resort as the mountain is less steep than some of the other mountains in British Columbia.
The snow at Sun Peaks is phenomenal. Powder junkies are in for a treat as the snow here can get very deep. Not only do they have knee-deep powder but the snow is light and fluffy making it perfect for all skiers.
Enjoy the sunshine and powder at Sun Peaks. Since the runs are easier this is the perfect resort for families or beginner skiers. With freshly groomed runs and pillow-like snow, everyone will have a blast.
To reach the really deep powder you will have to travel into the trees. Although this may sound a little daunting once you feel your skis gliding over the powder all of your worries will melt away. Sun Peaks is definitely a ski resort worth checking out for the 2022 ski season.
Big White Ski Resort
Another ski resort in the Interior of British Columbia is Big White. Big White is one of the best ski resorts in British Columbia and more inexpensive than most.
The powder at Big White is unreal and cloaks the trees turning them white like ghosts. The resort has 16 chair lifts that include one gondola which gives skiers a lot of choices of where they should ski. Once you’ve reached the resort you won’t believe your eyes as the entire mountain is white. You may think that is an overreaction but the snow indeed covers everything on the mountain like a blanket.
For powder seekers, Big White is the place for you. With powder that can sometimes get up past your knees, it truly is a paradise for skiers. Wake up early and you can be the first skier to experience the intoxicating feeling of gliding over untouched powder.
Big White is another ski resort perfect for families and beginners since it mostly has green and blue runs. Kids will love the TELUS Park where they can hit jumps and slide on boxes all day.
Whether you’re a beginner, an intermediate, or an avid skier Big White has something for everyone and deserves to be experienced.
Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Revelstoke Mountain Resort is an incredible resort in British Columbia. It is a slightly harder mountain to ski and, therefore, is more geared towards intermediate and advanced skiers. It has the highest vertical drop in North America at 5,602 feet( ca. 270 m). The only thing more impressive than the height of the mountain is that Revelstoke gets around 30 feet of fresh snow every year.
From groomed runs to incredible alpine bowls Revelstoke Mountain Resort is packed with opportunity. After a big dump of snow be sure to check out one of their four incredible bowls and enjoy some of the deepest powder in British Columbia.
Kids will love the deep snow and the Terrain Park that Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers. Not to mention that they have an area called the Gnome zone and Turtle Creek special for kids.
Heli-Skiing
Revelstoke also has a section in their backcountry where expert skiers can try heli-skiing. It can be quite expensive, so look into it before you decide to try it. Heli-Skiing is not for just any skier, it is meant for those expert skiers who need something more challenging than the regular double black diamonds have to offer.
For those who decide to go heli-skiing, it will be an experience like no other. Being able to ski on untouched powder is amazing, but looking out at the vast snow-cloaked mountains is what makes it worth it.
Whether you want a challenge or just want to have some fun in deep powder, be sure to book your tickets to Revelstoke Mountain Resort for the 2022 season.
SilverStar Mountain Resort
SilverStar Mountain Resort is a family ski resort and one of the biggest in British Columbia. The mountain has ski runs on the front and back of the mountain. The front side is easier and enjoyed more by beginner and intermediate skiers.
looking out at the beautiful alpine village is a sight to be seen. Intermediate skiers will love the front side of the mountain since it has an abundance of green and blue runs that are perfect to improve your skills. Kids will certainly love the fresh fluffy snow that SilverStar is known for.
For those more advanced skiers, the backside of the mountain is filled with black diamonds and double-black diamonds. The Powder at SilverStar is amazing and fluffy, perfect for carving and maneuvering around the moggles on the black diamonds.
While at SilverStar make sure to take lots of pictures and enjoy the fresh snow.
Final Thoughts
British Columbia has some of the best skiing in the world and wherever you decide to ski will be an experience you will never forget. So, sharpen your edges, wax your skis, gather your gear, and most importantly don’t forget to have some fun.
