THINKING ABOUT A B.C. SKI HOLIDAY? START BY CHOOSING A RESORT THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.
THINKING ABOUT A B.C. SKI HOLIDAY? START BY CHOOSING A RESORT THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU.
The story of your winter vacation in British Columbia is the one you'll want to share on social media the very instant you emerge from a secret run, outerwear caked in powder snow. It's the story you'll tell your co-workers when you return to the office with a "goggle tan" around your eyes. It's the tale you'll remember on a sweltering summer evening when your heart and soul crave a cool and invigorating distraction. It's the story you'll repeat to your ski buddies back home – the ones who have talked about, but never experienced, a B.C. ski holiday.
You'll ask them, "What are you waiting for?"
Thanks to an abundance of snow, endless runs suitable for all skill levels, a variety of accommodation to suit every budget and taste, all set against snowy peaks that stretch to the horizon, "Super, Natural British Columbia" delivers winter ski vacation experiences that are nothing short of exceptional.
From early November, storms brewing in the North Pacific spread their way across B.C., dumping impressive volumes of snow that enable B.C.'s destination ski resorts to spring into action well before Christmas and stay open until May. Augmented by sophisticated snowmaking systems, these epic snowstorms transform gentle, grassy slopes as well as steep and rugged terrain into a white carpeted substrate perfectly suited for all levels of skiing and boarding.
Geographically, the province's ski regions break down fairly neatly. The glacier-clad Coastal Range, home of Whistler Blackcomb, stretches thousands of kilometres from the Canada-USA border all the way into the Yukon and Alaska. Farther east, the snow gets drier and the rolling hills of the Interior plateau – site of Sun Peaks Resort, Silver Star Mountain Resort and Big White Ski Resort. The eastern third of the province is dominated by the Columbia Mountains and the Rockies, where you find Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Panorama Mountain Village, Fernie Alpine Resort, Whitewater Ski Resort and Kimberley Alpine Resort. This is truly the land of adventure, and the skiing is augmented by helicopter, snowcat and alpine ski touring operations.
These are big mountains – on par with some of the mightiest in the world. When it comes to big-league vertical, four B.C. resorts crack North America's top 10. Now in its sixth season, Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts the continent's biggest vertical drop and offers helicopter, snowcat and backcountry skiing beyond the boundary. For 2014, Whistler-Blackcomb – North America's largest ski resort by acreage – will be even better with the addition of two new lifts. At Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, three striking mountain ranges converge near the source of the Columbia River. Nestled in the Purcells, Panorama Mountain Village offers 1,220 metres vertical and the perfect ski-in/ski-out village.
There's a richness and diversity to the B.C. experience that goes well beyond mere size.
Fernie and Nelson not only have first-rate mountains nearby, their towns exude that warm, healthy mountain vibe that has visitors checking out real estate listings and wondering if the boss will go for a telecommuting gig. Big White caters to families, yet rewards deep snow seekers with over 700 centimetres annually of champagne powder. Silver Star Mountain Resort is that rare breed: a resort that truly satisfies downhill and cross-country skiers and has plenty to do for non-skiers too. At Sun Peaks Resort, you can ski or ride on three different mountain faces with Nancy Greene-Raine, Olympic champion and Canada's female athlete of the half-century. Located outside of one of Western Canada's most historic mining towns, Kimberley Resort delights in its off-the-beaten-track charm and family-friendly programs.
Whether you travel by car, jet or even bus, B.C.'s ski resorts are easy to get to from virtually anywhere in Canada. Regular, non-stop flights to Calgary and Vancouver airports are convenient starting points for a road trip through the B.C. Interior or Coastal Range. The Olympic legacy of the Sea-to-Sky Highway makes driving or shuttling from Vancouver to Whistler a breeze. Similarly, various highways heading east into the Interior are well maintained through winter season. If you prefer to fly, expanded airport facilities at Cranbrook and Kelowna have made it easier than ever to jet in, with shuttle services taking guests directly to the nearby mountain resorts.
Whether you like staying in a prestigious destination hotel or prefer the quiet intimacy of a family-owned guest lodge, there's a perfect place to cozy up, reminisce and celebrate following a rewarding day on the slopes. After a trip to the spa or a hot tub on the deck, that is.
That's typically the time of day when B.C. ski holiday stories are first told. But rest assured, they will be repeated long after.