Where to go for snow - Canada?

As there doesn't seem to be a Canada section under "Where to go for snow" I thought I'd best post in here - hope that's ok!

Basically, my family and I would like to go skiing in Canada. What we're looking for is a resort that's pretty much ski-to-door (no bus/coach trips to get to the runs), has a lot of runs to explore and that's got areas which are challenging for experienced skiers along with good runs for beginners (only 1 week's experience or less).

Has anyone been to such a place? I'm looking for recommendatations because searching around the various agents websites is too confusing!

Cheers in advance! :wink:

I'd recommend Big White for several reasons. I haven't actually been there myself but i know quite a few people that have, and i will be going for 3 months next winter :D Silver Star, a nearby resort to Big White is also very similar with a little more challenging terrain as well as the easy beginner stuff.

The whole village (Big White) is basically ski in/out (main street is a pisted ski run!!), accommodation is great and the snow is excellent. Infact its known throughout many people for its amazing powder. One of the resorts with the best snow in Canada.

Not the easiest of resorts to get to from Britain, will require a flight from London to either Vancouver or Calgary and from one of those two on to Kelowna.

On the other hand somewhere like Whistler has got some doorstep skiing although not all of it is. Obviously Whistler is brillant as i am sure you know.

Thanks bennyboy. I have indeed heard lots about Whistler but I also know this is generally considered to be one of the more expensive destinations - however it'll still remain a possibility.

Basically, there are five of us going... the three "experienced" skiers have been skiing every year for about 12 years, having been to Lake Louise, Banff, Les Menuires and a few other places.

Myself and one other have only skied once - last season was our first trip, which was one week in Les Menuires. We were comfortably skiing the more challenging european blue-runs by the end of the week and even had a very tentative go on a couple of reds, if that gives you any idea of our skill level.

Having spoken to my fiancée (one of the more experienced skiers) I now have a little more information with regards to past locations... Sticking to Canada, they've visited Lake Louise, Kicking Horse and Sunshine Village. Their favourite by far was Sunshine, so something similar to that would be ideal, taking my aforementioned criteria into consideration

I went to Whistler this January and the snow was the best for years.Stayed in the delta Whistler village suites. It is no more than 5 minutes to the lift and we hired our skis from a place right at the lift so no carrying!!
We didn't find it too expensive. Lots of nice bars and places to eat. The Delta is fab outdoor pool and hot tub which is nice when it was snowing at night.

I would recommend Mont Tremblant, its on the east coast of canada in the laurientians. Its a fantastic resort, all brand new and puropse built. Its quite a low altitude resort but it has a very good snow record.

it has a very up market feel, the restaraunts are first class and so are the people. I found the ski area really good, i am an experienced skiier and had a great time glade sking over the backbowls.

I would definately recommend you checking it out, having been to Banff myslef i can appreciate how annoying it is to get an hour bus ride every morning to lake louise/ sunshine and back again!

hope this helps!

Yeah Sunshine is amazing but the only problem is the lack of accommodation up there. Sunshine Inn is the only place up there and its probably booked most of the time, and if its not, you cant go into Banff for the evening as its very much hotel based.

I have heard good things about Kicking Horse to, although i have never been there. Red Mountain (Rossland) is supposed to be brilliant to, and its one of the less known ones. Similar with Fernie, lots of snow, reasonably close to the lifts and not very busy!

Personally I would stay in Banff and get buses to Sunshine and Lake Louise. They are really organised and I didn't find it a problem. Then in the evening you have all the bars and restuarants in Banff to enjoy.

Val :D

Running the risk of Pavelski`s wrath, I too would recommend Mont Tremblant, mainly for the beginners as the long green runs mean easy mileage on which to gain confidence....Most accommodation is ski in ski out and agree with the other post, the resort has a really nice feel. Just watch out that there`s no industrial action as this was the case last year and getting jeered by a load of French stikers at 8am, isn`t much fun!!!But other than that it should fit the bill!