Chase the Chill: Our Favourite Canada Ski Safaris
The northernmost resort on The Powder Highway, the 3,486-acre Kicking Horse offers plenty of steep off-piste routes, several accessed only by hiking and plenty of tough trails too
As evidenced by our latest trip to Canada, not only do you have the opportunity to cover more varied terrain on a ski safari, you also have the chance to take in more of the Great White North’s breathtaking scenery. That’s an equally thrilling part of the experience, as in Canada, the drives are packed with panoramic, larger-than-life backdrops, and there’s no shortage of places to stop and stare along the way. Worried about driving on the opposite side of the road? Don’t worry, as all the cars are automatic and there will be no gear changes—making the switch seem like second nature.
Being able to contrast and compare what’s on offer at more than one resort is another advantage of these types of holidays as you might even size up a few hidden gems for your next trip. And with our team in the driving seat helping you plan your adventure, you can expect every leg to run seamlessly into the next.
Want to include more than one resort on your itinerary? Our trusted team of experts has been designing tailor-made journeys for over 30 years, and here we share four of our favourite routes, including our Big Five Powder Highway Safari!
A First Ski Safari
For a first ski safari, we might suggest combining Banff and Lake Louise with the smaller mountain village of Panorama, a ski-in-ski-out paradise suited to mixed abilities, especially intermediates in search of fresh corduroy to cruise. Add in long runs, glades, and powder pockets in the Sun Bowl, and let’s not forget those all-important hot pools—everyone staying in Panorama has access to the pools at Panorama Springs. Looking for livelier après? You are within easy reach of the town of Invermere, as its bars and restautants are only a short shuttle away.
The Panorama Springs Lodge features incredible slopeside pools and direct ski-in-ski-out convenience via the Mile One Quad and Red Carpet
Around three and a half hours from Calgary, the toned-down feel of the resort will give you a nice relaxed start to your ski safari before you make your way to Banff, where the après scene is a headier mix. A win-win, the resorts of Lake Louise, Banff, and Mt. Norquay will give you unlimited access to perfectly groomed green and blue runs and soft moguls, and with all three available on your SkiBig3 list pass, it’s a tried and tested stress-free ski experience.
Ski Safari Contrast
Contrast world-renowned Whistler with the more under-the-radar resorts of Sun Peaks, Big White, and Silver Star. We travelled this route on our latest expedition to Canada, so feel free to check out our Big Ski Review for more details. Full of epic road trips, the famous Sea-To-Sky Highway and the Duffy Lakes Drive will not disappoint. Complete with two mountains, over 200 runs, and two of the biggest vertical drops in North America, Whistler is hard to beat. The village is also notable for its legendary après, or for a more romantic, low-key experience, there’s always Creekside.
Sun Peaks, the second largest ski resort in Canada, still manages to fly under the radar, but it’s a true hidden gem
Canada’s second-largest resort but still flying very much under the radar, Sun Peaks features great groomers, fast cruising, and plenty of ski-in-ski-out accommodation, all of which make it a must-shred. Big White is also in the lesser known, but it’s been credited by The Times as one of the best family ski resorts, and the resort is up there as one of the best ski resorts for first-timers with unique beginner and intermediate terrain that extends into the high-alpine areas.
Another undiscovered gem, SilverStar will win you over with its authentic local charm and, of course, its diverse terrain filled with everything from easy-going groomers and testing moguls to exciting steeps and thrilling powder-filled chutes.
Canadian Rockies & More
The Canadian Rockies are where you will find some of the best ski resorts on the planet. Take Lake Louise, which is arguably home to the world’s most breathtaking trails and backcountry skiing ; Banff, blessed with Alberta’s deepest snow (30 feet annually); and Kicking Horse, nicknamed the Champagne Capital of Canada. This tailor-made ski safari also includes Revelstoke, which is situated in the Columbia Mountains, the resort laying claim to North America’s longest vertical descent.
Home to the most vertical in North America at 5,620 feet, Revelstoke features incredible terrain
These four resorts will certainly test your skills on the slopes, with plenty of advanced terrain to get your skis into. And, known as the heli skiing capital of the world, at Revelstoke, the thrill factor is almost guaranteed. Expect plenty of varied après on this route too, from the lively town of Banff to the more chilled offerings at Kicking Horse and Revelstoke, but don’t forget the towns of Golden and Revelstoke are only a short shuttle away if you want to step things up socially.
Powder Highway Big Five Safari
British Columbia’s Powder Highway is on every skier’s bucket list, and home to some of the deepest snow and most exciting terrain on the planet, what’s not to love? The circular route passes through the Kootenay Rockies and includes eight alpine ski resorts, with our favourite route stopping at Fernie, Kimberley, Red Mountain, Revelstoke, and Kicking Horse.
Still lying off-the-radar Kimberley Ski Resort boasts 1,800 acres of terrain spread across four mountain faces
Still the underdog of this famous trail, Fernie boasts one of the best snow records in Canada—up to 37 feet of fluffy white snow falls here annually—and it features the highest number of runs of any of the highway’s resorts. Blessed with light, fluffy, dry “Purcell Powder,” Kimberley can also hold its own when it comes to snow, and should you feel the need for speed, there’s always the legendary Dreadnaught, a Canadian Championship-sanctioned race run. The backside is equally compelling, as it comes with some of the most gladed terrain in Canada. RED Mountain is another big hitting but unpretentious experience with 3,850 acres of terrain—putting it in the top 10 size wise in North America—its 360-degree descents and very affordable in-resort cat skiing making it more than worth the visit.
Situated on the British Columbia Powder Highway in Canada, the Kicking Horse Ski Resort is located 14km outside the logging town of Golden
A favourite with hardcore skiers and one that’s recently been winning over the hearts and minds of intermediates (see our Big Ski Review), Revelstoke throws up challenges at every turn, its celebrated vertical, wide open bowls, and glades that go on for days, including the Chronicles of Gnarlia, fueling its popularity. And, yet another haunt for experts, Kicking Horse is not only a black diamond gold mine, there are steep glades, 85 official alpine chutes, and still more to explore. Putsimply, it’s a resort not to be missed.
Built up over the course of three decades, at Frontier Ski, you benefit from our unrivalled personal knowledge, as every recommendation is based on first-hand experience. As an ATOL and ABTA-protected tour operator, you can also book with complete confidence.
Contact us today on 020 8776 8709 or email us at ski@frontier-travel.co.uk to plan your tailor-made ski holiday today. ATOL PROTECTED No 5405 ABTA W3207.
