The Best Ski Resorts in British Columbia

These resorts are all tried and tested by our team and customers - I've personally skied them all, some as many as 10 times!

There are options for powder hounds, piste cruisers, first-timers, old-timers, multi-generation families, and a few that tick every box. They all work as stand-alone destinations, twin-centres or even as part of a multi-resort self-drive ski safari.

Read on to find out which British Columbia ski resort sounds best for you, then speak to our team for personal advice and a personal price.

Our British Columbia ski holidays are all tailor-made to your requirements, with 10 nights starting from £1,270 per person. Call 01273 224060 or request a quotation online and we'll be in touch.

Big White does two things as well as any ski resort in the world - snow and convenience.

While the 7.5 metre average annual snowfall isn't the highest in British Columbia, the resort's elevation, -5°C average temperatures, and north-facing slopes mean that once it starts falling, it sticks around all season. The snow tends to be light, dry and consistent - regular flurries keeping conditions fresh throughout winter rather than the huge but sometimes infrequent dumps that other resorts are known for. It also leads to the famous 'snow ghosts' on the upper slopes!

As for convenience, Big White is home to Canada's largest ski-in ski-out village. Almost anywhere you stay will provide direct access to the slopes, as well as the restaurants, bars, supermarket, ski school and other amenities found in Village Centre.

The accommodation is mostly spacious, self-catered condos with a mixture of shared and private hot tubs, plus plenty of room configurations for families and groups of different sizes.

Back on the slopes and the terrain caters to all abilities with a fantastic learning experience and some serious skiing off the Cliff Area. But where Big White really excels is for intermediates. 54% of terrain is marked as blue, varying from wide cruisers to steep groomers to well-spaced glades. This is one of the best resorts for trying out powder skiing for the first time as so much of the off-piste terrain has a gentle pitch. In fact, it's where many of our team tried tree skiing for the first time!

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,535pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Big White.

“It's big and it's white! The ski area is vast and if you like the challenge of tree runs this is the resort for you. There is something for everyone - beginner to the adventurous. The restaurants available cater for every budget from the cheap (but delicious) to the sushi and fine dining. Nightlife is good and Big White put on various events during the week - some free (pancakes, sausages and maple syrup for Shrove Tuesday). It was peak season and the lift queues, whilst big for Big White, were small and beautifully managed compared to Europe. The Canadians are so friendly - there are snow hosts available at the top of each chair if you need advice and snow patrol make sure you are safe. A 5* from us.” - Emma Preston

Combine Big White with Sun Peaks and Silver Star on an Okanagan Explorer Ski Safari.

If you've ever wanted to try North American-style 'ski anywhere' bowls, where if you can see it you can ski it - Fernie is the one for you.

The resort is made up of five epic bowls, each with its own identity and a good mix of blues, blacks and double-blacks - plus powder in abundance. It's a brilliant place to build up your skills and confidence, starting on the groomed blues before taking your first off-piste turns. There are only two out-of-bounds areas within the resort area and you can ski wide open bowls and exciting tree glades at all pitches from mellow to seriously steep.

Less experienced skiers and snowboarders can still have a lot of fun on the lower green slopes, while expert skiers have access to some of the most challenging terrain in the world off Polar Peak. That includes the triple black-diamond runs on Currie Headwall that even I haven't tried!

It's not just the skiing that's authentically Canadian. While there are some ski-in ski-out lodges and condos on-mountain, I highly recommend staying in downtown Fernie, 10 minutes away by car or shuttle bus.

We've had some great nights here, especially at Griz Bar (a Ski Safari favourite), the locals are predictably friendly, and there's good amount of off-the-slopes fun too. Make a splash at Aquatic Centre, catch an ice hockey game at the Memorial Arena, or sample your way around Fernie Brewing Co.'s terrific beers.

10 nights including flights, car hire and accommodation from £1,710pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Fernie.

“An iconic favourite! 5 bowls, epic terrain and plenty of hidden gem tree runs. Super hard to beat on a powder day! Great authentic Canadian mountain town vibe and will probably live there one day!” - Richard Hartwell

Combine Fernie with your choice of Revelstoke, Kicking Horse, Panorama and Kimberley on a Rockies Loop Ski Safari.

If you like your terrain steep and deep, you'll never get bored in Kicking Horse. 60% of the named runs here are rated black and above, and just shy of 50% are rated double-black diamond.

'The Horse' puts even the most seasoned skiers in our office to the test with its 85+ inbound chutes and 5 alpine bowls. I'd definitely recommend spending at least a day with a Big Mountain Centre guide to make the most of the mountain in a safe way. They'll show you all the best spots and make sure you ski the best snow conditions on the day.

As with Fernie, there's a small selection of on-mountain accommodation. Perfect if you're looking for ski-in ski-out convenience, but not if you're looking for lively evenings. For those, make sure you stay in the nearby town of Golden, 13km away. As well as more bars and restaurants, you'll also have easy access to activities including snowshoeing, ice climbing, snowmobiling and more.

10 nights including flights, car hire and accommodation from £1,520pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Kicking Horse.

“Best resort ever. Arrived in a snowstorm and fortunately everything was off-piste. I was worried about my wife maybe not being able to do much skiing here given this place's fearsome reputation. However, it was also her favourite resort. The resort itself is small and quiet, but also queueless. There is plenty of easy terrain from the chair at the bottom, but the gondola takes you up to the top of the mountain. There is still an easy, beginner-level way to get down from here. The terrain at Kicking Horse is otherworldly good. Steep bowls, loads of narrow chutes. Kicking Horse will improve anyone's skiing. It also feels like you are properly out skiing backcountry, whilst all in bounds. Views are also incredible.”  - David Bradley

Combine Kicking Horse with Revelstoke on a BC Powder Ski Safari - including options for guiding, cat-skiing and heli-skiing.

Not a fan of steep and deep? Kimberley provides the best experience in British Columbia for families, beginners and cautious intermediates.

The compact ski area and ski-in ski-out village provide a hassle-free introduction to North American skiing, and the fact that there's a green run from every lift means that all abilities can enjoy the whole mountain and don't need to worry about ending up on tricky terrain.

While the resort is very well-suited to newer skiers and snowboarders, Kimberley is still a great option for mixed-ability groups with a good range of black runs and a huge amount of glade skiing off every lift.

Kimberley is one of the only Canadian resorts to offer night skiing - a fun way to enjoy the slopes under the stars every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. You can also have a go at cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking and ice skating.

It's best to stay ski-in ski-out right by the lifts, and I recommend hiring a car for ease of driving to the supermarket 5 minutes away in the working town. There's also a free shuttle bus if you'd like to enjoy the wider range of bars and restaurants in the evenings.

10 nights including flights, car hire and accommodation from £1,630pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Kimberley.

“Kimberley is a lovely resort. You can stay in ski-in ski-out accommodation and still have easy access to the town, either by an hour's walk or by using the free shuttle bus which runs regularly.” - Jill Grey

“Good ski resort with stunning views. All ski abilities catered for.” - Sharon Atkinson

Combine Kimberley with Panorama and Fernie for an all-abilities version of our Rockies Loop Ski Safari

One of the top all-abilities resorts on the list, Panorama has terrain for all skiers and snowboarders from the excellent beginner area at the base to the legendary Taynton Bowl.

Even better, you can ski all of it without worrying about crowds - Panorama was ranked top of the world's 100 largest ski areas for space per skier! This provides a brilliant on-mountain experience, whether you're learning with the world-class ski school or taking the Monster X snowcat up to the resort's most challenging area. Intermediates aren't forgotten about - there's a fantastic selection of super long, fast and wide-open pistes, plus some easy-access, gentler bowls and glades.

Panorama is another resort where convenience is king. The village is compact and ski-in ski-out, even with a Village Gondola to connect the upper and lower village areas! Alto Kitchen and Bar is our favourite place to eat, while the General Store is one of the best-stocked supermarkets we've found in a purpose-built ski village.

But the best thing about the village? Panorama Springs Pools. Open to all lodging guests, the resort boasts Canada's largest slopeside hot pools plus hot tubs, slides and a sauna. There's no better way to unwind tired legs after skiing Canada's third-largest vertical drop.

Our favourite activities include snowmobiling, snow tubing, fat biking, sleigh rides and heli-skiing with RK Heliski who operate from the base area.

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,535pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Panorama.

“We loved everything about Panorama. The ski-in ski-out was amazing, we literally stepped out of our condo and there were the slopes. That combined with vast quiet slopes made it a relaxing ski holiday. It's a great resort to suit all abilities of skiing. I skied with the Mountain Friends (free ski guide) they are awesome, so passionate about their mountain and have so much knowledge about it and love to share this with you. We loved soaking our tired joints in the hot baths at the bottom of the slopes. Overall we found the resort to be very friendly and polite, we definitely want to return to Panorama.” - Lisa Briggs

Combine with your pick of Kimberley, Fernie, Kicking Horse and Revelstoke on a Rockies Loop Ski Safari. 

There are few places in the world like RED. Steep, deep and still fiercely independent.

If you're looking for a genuine local's spot that's all about the skiing, you should definitely try RED Mountain Resort - and you'll be welcomed like a local on day one.

You'll find epic terrain off all four mountains - Red, Granite, Grey and Kirkup - two of which you ski 360 degrees from the peak. It's a unique approach that provides a huge amount of skiing in a compact area. It's a resort best-suited to advanced skiers and snowboarders who can make the most of the 'ski anywhere' ethos.

My tip? Get up early on a weekend and be first in line for the Mount Kirkup Cat Ski. It's first-come, first-served and costs $20 per ride or $90 for a 6-pack. For comparison, cat-skiing typically costs around $550-600 per day!

Accommodation ranges from slopeside condos and the luxurious The Josie to affordable hotel rooms in the nearby town of Rossland. That's right, another cool mountain town! Make sure you stop by B&T's Hard Knock Cafe and Rossland Beer Company to rub elbows and swap skiing stories with the locals.

10 nights including flights, car hire and accommodation from £1,340pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about RED Mountain Resort.

“You may not have heard of RED Mountain Resort, but it is a real “GEM” in Canada’s “Powder Highway”. The resort is currently made up of three peaks, Red, Granite and Grey, and you can pretty much ride / ski where ever you want to go within the ski boundary, just pick your line and go… There are some mellow runs, but the terrain is probably better suited to the intermediate and advanced and will be loved by those looking for great blacks and double blacks. Great tree runs and powder galore, so if you want to improve your skills in the powder, trees and off-piste, you can dip in and out, building your confidence as you go. It snowed every day of our visit, by the end of a week we had a good 2.5 feet of snow on the roof of our hire car !!!! We had a fabulous time and would highly recommend a visit. Red is now in our top 3 Canadian resorts.” - Nicky Hudson

Combine with nearby Whitewater for a powder-filled twin-centre.

Until 2007, Revelstoke's terrain was only accessible by heli. That probably gives you an idea of what to expect here!

The resort boasts North America's longest lift-serviced vertical drop and a bigger backcountry than you could ever explore in one lifetime. From one base, you've got options for lift, hike-to, cat and heli-ski terrain - I don't think you can call yourself a serious skier until you've ticked off Revelstoke.

We definitely recommend at least one day heli or cat-skiing. There aren't many better places to try it, and you'll increase your skiable terrain to half a million acres. Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing and K3 Cat Ski are both based in downtown Revelstoke.

Don't feel that your whole group has to be charging down steep tree runs, though - 43% of the inbounds runs are blue, and it's another great option for trying off-piste skiing for the first time.

Revelstoke Resort has a good range of dining options for a small base area - plus the stunning on-mountain Revelation Lodge and Mackenzie Outpost - but you'll find a much wider range of bars and restaurants in town.

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,415pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Revelstoke.

“Our favourite of the Canadian ski resorts we've skied to date. The vibe is palpable. Amazing skiing and the resort itself is well laid out, with fantastic services on offer. Loved every minute of our time there. Can't wait to visit again.” - Chris Cookson

Combine Revelstoke with any number of nearby resorts on a BC Powder Ski Safari or Rockies Loop Ski Safari.

Silver Star is a resort with two sides - the beginner-to-intermediate-friendly front side and the steep and challenging back side - with a colourful, compact ski-through village sitting right in the middle.

And because the village is mid-mountain, beginners get to learn with a view. Plus, every lift has a green run down to give all abilities a full-mountain experience. I really like the way the trails have been planned - there are as many as 20 runs from each lift so you can keep lapping one lift all day without getting bored.

There are some fantastic blue-graded glades (and easier black glades too), while experts will love the steep tree runs off the Powder Gulch Express on the back side. You just take the green Aunt Gladys run down from the chair and drop off into the trees wherever you think looks good.

The pedestrianised ski-through village is perfect for families with its colourful buildings and outdoor ice rink. But there's more going on than you might think. Unlike many of the resorts on this list, the nearest town (Vernon) is 30 minutes away, so the resort does a great job of keeping you entertained. There are some fantastic restaurants, surprisingly lively bars, plus a full complement of activities including horse sleigh rides, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,720pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Silver Star.

“Amazing resort. Lovely quaint village, good variations of bars and restaurants. All easy access from hotel (no bus rides required). Fantastic skiing, easy access to the slopes and plenty of other activities to do as well.” - Nicola Gamble

Combine Silver Star with Big White and Sun Peaks on an Okanagan Explorer Ski Safari.

More of our customers return to Sun Peaks than any other resort - what more do I need to say?

This home-from-home resort combines Canada's second-largest ski area with a compact, ski-in ski-out village. The small bed base means that Sun Peaks is rarely crowded, even on weekends. What lift queues?

The skiing is spread across three mountains - Tod, Sundance and Morrisey - and caters exceptionally for mixed-ability groups and families. All but one lift offers green, blue and black runs, so everyone can take the same lift up, ski down at their own level, and meet up and the bottom for more fun. Our favourite spots are the well-spaced, forgiving glades on Morrisey and the legendary Gil's area - where you can even hire a private guide to take you into the expansive backcountry.

Sun Peaks' Tyrolean-style village isn't just pretty to look at, it's also incredibly convenient and has everything you need, even for a longer stay.

The accommodation is almost entirely ski-in ski-out thanks to the ski-through village, and our top recommendation, the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel, features giant slopeside hot pools. The rentals are high quality, and there's a very good range of bars and restaurants. I love the fact that you can quickly ski down to the base for a range of lunch options, before getting straight back to the skiing.

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,570pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Sun Peaks.

“Our favourite place to ski. This was our 4th visit to Sun Peaks and we decided to spend a fortnight there this year. Once again some amazing skiing, the team look after the slopes so well, no lift queues and very quiet slopes. A good variety of terrain, something for everyone and the village itself is lovely, great choice of restaurants, bars and shops. We are already planning next year's trip which will definitely include Sun Peaks again!” - Alex Conboy

Combine Sun Peaks with Big White and Silver Star on an Okanagan Explorer Ski Safari.

North America's largest ski resort, Whistler caters to absolutely everyone. 8,000+ skiable acres, 200+ ski runs, 170+ bars and restaurants, and 200+ shops - I've been skiing there for over 30 years and still find something new every time I visit.

The size and variety of terrain in Whistler is outstanding - two dedicated learning areas, countless long, winding groomers, 16 wide-open powder bowls, countless steep chutes and five terrain parks. It's a resort that every skier and snowboarder should visit at least once, but like many of our customers, you might find yourself coming back for more.

It's a very well-connected resort, just two hours up the scenic Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver (perfect for a post-skiing city stay). And once you're there, it's so easy to get around the compact, pedestrianised ski village. On-mountain, you can cover a lot of terrain in a day using the modern lift system, including the fantastic PEAK 2 PEAK gondola which connects Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Despite being North America's largest resort, Whistler also one of its most affordable, making it a great option to try out skiing in British Columbia. Book early, and you can save as much as £2,000pp on transfers, accommodation, lift passes, rentals, food & drink and activities.

10 nights including flights, shared transfers and accommodation from £1,265pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. Learn more about Whistler.

“Amazing, vast amount of ski area good for all abilities. Lots of well groomed runs. Very efficient lift systems even on a busy Easter weekend. Great variety of restaurants on the mountain - good value for money and plentiful choice. We started going to Whistler 15 years ago and have been back regularly as we think it’s the best place to ski. We fell in love with Whistler and will continue to return as often as we can.” - Katie Stanton

Combine with Sun Peaks on a Whistler Peaks Ski Safari or stop off in Iceland on a Whistler & Reykjavik Ski & City Safari.

Whitewater is a truly authentic Canadian ski resort. There's no on-mountain accommodation and no nearby cities, so you'll mostly be skiing with the locals.

It has a genuine remote feeling with no phone signal and nothing but all-natural scenery surrounding the resort. It's not somewhere you come for long, groomed runs, it's more like lift-accessed backcountry skiing. Speaking of backcountry, there's plenty of that too with options for guiding, cat-skiing and heli-skiing.

The accommodation is all thirty minutes down the road in the historic and arty town of Nelson. There's a great food and drink scene (three breweries!) and a wide range of winter activities including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice skating and fat biking.

If you're a good skier or snowboarder and you're looking for something a little different on your next trip, I'd definitely consider Whitewater.

10 nights including flights, car hire and accommodation from £1,295pp. Call 01273 224060 to speak to our team or request a quotation online and we’ll be in touch. View all Whitewater ski packages & offers.

“The feeling of isolation is quite amazing for being only a few minutes out of Nelson. No phone signal or site of habitation (other than the ski resort infrastructure) gives the feeling of being well off the beaten track. The skiing is fantastic and varied and in a unique location.” - Chris Cookson

Combine with RED for an authentic Canadian powder experience.

• We have the knowledge - we've been skiing and selling British Columbia for three decades.
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• We don't cost as much as you might think - tailor-made service doesn't need to cost more. Our strong relationships with suppliers mean that we're often cheaper than self-packaging or booking through a big, online travel agent.
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Call our team on 01273 224060 or request a quotation online for advice from a team that knows British Columbia inside out. We can help find the perfect resort (or combination of resorts) for your group.

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