October 26 2022, Dilawri BC
Okanagan
While the Okanagan may be synonymous with summer getaways and a seemingly endless arid climate, the region boasts impressive winter lifestyle opportunities, making the Okanagan one of the most diverse regions in the province, just a few short hours from the Lower Mainland.
SilverStar Mountain Resort
485 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: Quiet village getaways
One of Canada’s oldest resorts, dating back to 1958, SilverStar has become a world-class skiing destination with a familiar smaller-town flair that speaks to North Okanagan hospitality. With direct access to the lift from the village, there’s never an idle moment at the mid-mountain in between laps.
SilverStar’s winter by the numbers:
- 132 runs
- 6 chairs
- 3,282 acres of terrain
- 760m of vertical drop
With a true ski-in, ski-out environment, partaking in the village life is effortless with shops, cafes and restaurants to discover. We’d recommend a post-lap slice at Pizza Gratta, or an upscale meal for date night at Black Pine.
Baldy Mountain Resort
440 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: Family fun
Hidden above the arid hills of Oliver, BC is the family-friendly ski hill, Mount Baldy. Known for being an inclusive, family fun oriented resort, Baldy is an attractive destination for families planning a well-rounded weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ski in the morning, take in the vineyard view in the afternoon, and complete your day with dinner overlooking the valley.
Call in a snow day with:
- 35 runs
- 3 chairs
- 360 acres of terrain
- 394m of vertical drop
After a lap on the NK'MIP run, take a journey to the NK'MIP Cellars and other nearby wineries for an afternoon wine tasting. End your day with a hot tub at Watermark Beach Resort with dinner at 15 Park Bistro.
570 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: A weekend trip with friends
Get stoked on one of Canada’s premiere winter playgrounds this season, widely regarded for its challenging and inspiring terrain. While Revelstoke skirts the border of the Okanagan and the Rockies, any local will tell you that the alpine adventure is worth the seven hour drive from Vancouver.
From lift lines to lifting pints, Revelstoke offers:
- 75 runs
- 6 chairs
- 3,121 acres of terrain
- 1712 metres of vertical drop
Once the lift stops turning, set your sights on the downtown core of Revelstoke, boasting over 40 eateries and numerous boutique shops that lend a small-town feeling to the mountain paradise. Pizza at The Village Idiot is a must-have, while Monashee Spirits Craft Distillery offers up a true taste of the region.
Rocky Mountains
There’s no other place in Canada where pros become legends and adventurers live out stories they’ll never forget. The Canadian Rockies combine unfathomable scenery with the perfect conditions and terrain for skiing, along with a host of high-end resorts that cater to every skill level. If you’re looking for a scenic drive, this adventure will take you across BC to experience a picture-worthy stop at every bend.
Mt Norquay Ski Resort
950 km from Vancouver
Perfect for: First-time winters in the Rockies
Mount Norquay has been a favourite among locals since the 1920’s and for good reason. Offering amazing views of the Rockies and overlooking the small town of Banff, Alberta, this hill is perfect for beginners and downhill skiers alike. On average, this ski hill gets three metres of snowfall per year, and offers a large tubing park for younger visitors (or those still young at heart).
What to expect from a weekend at Mount Norquay:
- 60 runs
- 5 chairs
- 190 acres of terrain
- 503m of vertical drop
A massive appeal to a Mount Norquay visit is its vicinity to Banff, allowing you to recharge at culinary hot spots, like The Bison or Aardvark Pizza, without having to travel too far. If you want to stay close to the action, you’ll also find great places to dine on the mountain including the Cliffhouse Bistro, Cascade Lodge, North American Lodge, and Lone Pine.
Lake Louise Ski Resort
950 km from Vancouver
Perfect for: A couples retreat in mountain paradise
With stunning glacier landscapes and towering mountain passes, Lake Louise continues to be one of the most luxurious places to ski in Canada, while offering visitors one of the largest resorts in the region. The rich slopes of Lake Louise feature a vast amount of terrain for skiers of all skill levels in a winter landscape that’s unparalleled.
Lake Louise features:
- 164 runs
- 7 chairs
- 4200 acres of terrain
- 991m of vertical drop
After a day on the slopes, there’s no better feeling than diving into some amazing ramen and sushi at Kuma Yama Sushi, or savouring the fine dining of Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Other places to stay while you play include the Deer Lodge, Lake Louise Inn, Mountaineer Lodge, and Emerald Lake Lodge.
Fernie Alpine Resort
930 km from Vancouver
Perfect for: A pursuit of rustic adventure
If you’re searching for winter paradise in a less-crowded environment, the Fernie Alpine Resort is a premium destination for a week-long getaway to the slopes. You’ll find a variety of trails available over a wide spectrum of skill levels, along with a terrain park and off-piste for the hardcore and experienced individuals. Endless amounts of fresh, powdery snow comes through Fernie every season, making it a favourite among Canadian skiers.
This jewel of the Canadian Rockies features:
- 142 runs
- 10 chairs
- Over 2500 acres of terrain
- 1082m of vertical drop
Stay at the luxurious Fernie House, which blends modern and rustic elements in a way that’ll have you coming back next season, and the season after that. The mountain village nearby exudes the same feeling, and you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars to refuel, have a drink and connect with the vibrant mountain community.
Washington State
No matter what time of the year you visit, Washington State is packed to the brim with fast-paced recreational activities. Now that winter is fast approaching, skiing and snowboarding will soon take over the state once again as resorts begin to open their doors.
Mount Baker Ski Area
140 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: Wild hearts
Known for record-breaking snowfalls and majestic alpine views, Mount Baker offers a quintessential skiing experience south of the border. While the atmosphere is smaller than many ski areas on this list, the opportunities to shred expert terrain and explore the Washington backcountry are endless.
Take on the alpine with:
- 38 runs
- 8 chairs
- 1000 acres or terrain
- 457 metres of vertical drop
Whether it’s a short day trip or a week-long retreat to the mountain, the Mount Baker area offers nothing short of quaint accommodations, eclectic atmospheres and of course, season-defining turns on the slopes.
Crystal Mountain Resort
350 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: Skiing veterans
Crystal Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in the state of Washington, with terrain that strikes a good balance for both the newbies and the ski or snowboard veterans. You’ll find quite a few single and double black diamond slopes that occasionally have intermediate switchbacks for an easier jaunt. This ski hill might just have one of the best views of Mount Rainier that you’ll get to see while you’re zipping down the slopes. Make a weekend trip of it with a five hour drive from Vancouver and only a couple hours away from Seattle and Bellevue.
The mountain frontier awaits, featuring:
- 58 runs
- 10 chairs
- 2600 acres of terrain
- 945m of vertical drop
300 km from Vancouver, BC
Perfect for: Adrenaline junkies
For the truly adventurous winter enthusiasts, we’ve included the North Cascade Heli-Ski experience of the North Cascade Mountains. Don’t wait in line for a ski lift - instead, travel in style to a remote, one-of-a-kind skiing adventure where you’ll be dropped off by a helicopter.
Venture into some of the Pacific Northwest’s most adrenaline-fuelling terrain, sporting a variety of bowls, chutes, couloirs, glades, and treed runs. You’ll be escorted by a guide and joined by three other people for seven heli-skiing runs per day, spread out over multiple zones that cover over 300,000 acres.
Don’t worry about packing a lunch, as you’ll be provided with a delicious heli-ready meal for the day.
Embrace the change of seasons by exploring some of the Pacific Northwest’s stunning winter locales.
