Fun fact: Many of the ski and snowboard movies you’ve seen have been filmed in British Columbia—and for good reason. The Pacific Ranges (of the Coast Mountains) and the Kootenay Rockies (of the Canadian Rockies) act like a perfect, high-altitude catcher’s glove for the wet storms generated over the northern Pacific Ocean, which translates to massive amounts of powder across an incredible variety of terrain. That makes Canada’s westernmost province a skier’s paradise, with adrenaline-spiking high alpine bowls, majestic forest glades, and cruise-y groomers where you can fine-tune your carves. Add in the legendary Powder Highway—a nearly 700-mile circular loop that connects 8 ski resorts—and famous mountains like Whistler Blackcomb and Revelstoke, and it’s no surprise that snow fiends across the world have BC on their bucket lists.
But despite the incredible conditions, ski resorts in BC often see far fewer visitors than you would expect. That often translates to short lift lines and wide open runs where you can lean into your turns and spray snow to your heart’s content. And while some are a bit more remote, most resorts in the area offer top-notch options for accommodations, spas, and après vibes. If you’re ready to experience it all, read on for our guide to the best ski resorts in British Columbia.
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Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler Blackcomb is not just a ski resort; it’s a sort of alpine universe unto itself. It is the largest resort in North America, boasting 8,171 acres of skiable terrain. Connecting two massive mountains via the record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the scale here is staggering. It offers everything from high-alpine glacial bowls and razor-edge chutes to tree runs and terrain parks. The village pulses with a ton of energy, and the restaurant and après scene are also top-notch. But it’s the sheer quality and variety of the hills (20% beginner, 55% intermediate, and 25% advanced/expert, with 5,280 feet of vertical drop), backed by some of the best lift infrastructure on the continent, that make this resort one of the best on the planet.
Whistler is also an epicenter for heli-skiing, with three operations in the area. The largest is Whistler Heli-Skiing, which turns 45 years old this season. It has a massive tenure of 432,000 acres and offers a Dawn Patrol program that gets you first tracks at the resort on days when weather keeps the choppers grounded. There’s also Phantom Heli-Ski, and the newly relaunched Coast Range Heli-Ski, both with their own specialties and offering more than 200,000 acres each.
