Ski Holidays Canada

Canada is a huge country with huge and varied skiing opportunities from smaller family orientated resorts such as Tremblant in French speaking Quebec to one of the most famous resorts in the world, Whistler, in British Columbia.

Whereas the U.S. used to take the lion’s share of British skiers crossing the pond it is now a fact that more Brits ski in Whistler alone than the rest of the states put together. Things really have changed and changed a great deal. Whistler in particular has benefited for a few reasons. Firstly the Canadian dollar offers better value for money than the U.S. dollar. Then we have the fact that direct flights from the UK operate into Vancouver at least twice a day. Thirdly, the transfer time is just two hours along the Sea to Sky highway. Then we have the fact that Canadians are such friendly and nice people. Finally, we have Whistler itself; a huge ski area, long season, great nightlife, superb lodgings and amazing backcountry.

Whilst Whistler is one of my favourite resorts ever and one I have skied numerous times it has to be said that it is a lot busier than it was 10 years ago. An alternative resort, albeit much smaller, is Sun Peaks – I adore this resort. Flying into either Calgary or Vancouver you will then need to take a short connecting flight to Kamloops followed by a 45 minute drive up to the resort. This may seem like a fag but as the saying goes ‘there are no shortcuts to any place worth going to’. Sun Peaks is a quiet laid back resort comprising four zones but it really scores with its back country and the superb off piste area known as Gil’s.

Many UK skiers choose Banff and Lake Louise for their annual trip to the snow. Like Whistler these two resorts benefit from direct flights from the U.K. and a relatively short transfer from port to resort. Banff and lake Louise form part of the Big 3 lift pass covering teh ski resorts of Banff Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Mount Norquay. The two resorts of Banff sit just 40 minutes from one another but whilst Lake Louise is just a collection of 5 or so hotels, Banff is a border town with a working population and a busy vibe to it.

Over in the east of Canada Tremblant is the most famous and attracts the family market and the beginner market. Tremblant is a much smaller ski area but it is still worthy of a 7 day visit. Not only do direct flights and short transfers assist in the selling of Tremblant but also the flying time is much shorter at just 7 hours.

The three main gateway airports in Canada are Vancouver, Calgary, and Montreal. Internal flights to Kelowna or Kamloops will access some of the lesser known resorts too.

Whatever your choice of resort, in Canada you can be assured of genuine Canadian hospitality.

Tremblant, Quebec, Canada. Small but beautiful.