17 Canada Ski Resorts for This Winter from British Columbia to Nova Scotia

Centrally located in Whistler Village, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences is just 0.6 kilometres from the Blackcomb ski resort, the largest in North America. Daily local wine tastings, picture-perfect views of snow-capped mountains and the chance to try glacier golf make staying at this hotel a special experience.

Whistler Blackcomb has a multitude of skiing, snowboarding and mountain biking trails. Over 8,000 acres of snow-covered slopes, 200 marked trails and 16 alpine bowls mean it’s easy to find a run to suit your ability and confidence level. Dedicated ski concierges are ready to advise you on which slope is most suitable for you.

After a day on the slopes, it’s time for an après-ski at the hotel’s welcoming steakhouse, SIDECUT. Try regional specialties—such as the Alaskan king crab or Wagyu beef—beside a cozy open fire before heading to your room, suite or residence. These spaces have king-size beds, spacious bathtubs and sleek corner fireplaces for a touch of luxury. The private residences are gathered around a central square with a village feel, ideal for families or groups of friends.

Looking to stay somewhere a little different? Try the offbeat Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel in Whistler. A quirky interior design scheme in rooms and suites made up of geometric-patterned wallpaper and pops of bright colour is supplemented by luxe amenities like Malin+Goetz bath products and Sealy mattresses.

This hotel is just a few steps away from the Blackcomb mountains. With the greatest uphill lift capacity in North America, you shouldn’t have to wait too long for your next run. When you’re not slaloming down the slopes, warm up in the hotel’s cedar sauna or bubbling hot tub. Hidden within leafy parkland, hotel facilities offer a scenic break from the cold.

Alternatively, book an exotic Javanese massage at the Indonesian-inspired Taman Sari Royal Heritage Spa, then pull up a chair at Elements Urban Tapas Parlour to sample global flavours created with regional produce—from meals like ahi tuna poke to Moroccan-spiced lamb. This casual eatery has a Green Table commitment, so you’ll spot Ocean Wise seafood and Vancouver Island cheeses on the menu.

On the doorstep of Blackcomb Peak, just 0.8km from the centre of Whistler, and with ski-in, ski-out facilities, you won’t waste time getting to and from the powder at Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Prefer the green to the slopes? This is the town’s only complete golf and hotel resort, offering a par 72, 18-hole Audubon-certified course.

Take a break on the patio of The Clubhouse, which has an all-day menu, or save your appetite for one of the five other restaurants on site—including the hipster Portobello market and bakery for freshly baked bread and smokehouse-inspired dishes. When the temperature plummets, spend the evening beside the open fire at The Chalet, which offers a seasonal menu full of Swiss-themed winter favourites like cheese fondue and artisan charcuterie platters.

With a holistic Vida spa, tennis courts and a heated lap pool, there are plenty of on-site amenities to keep the whole family entertained—even free yoga classes to improve flexibility. The rooms are tastefully decorated in neutral, soothing tones, and all feature Keurig coffee makers and iHome docking stations.

Ideally situated next to the Plaza chairlift and steps away from Lara’s Gondola, the Chateau Big White in Kelowna, BC offers a true ski resort experience. Winter sports lovers can choose from the park’s 118 trails for exhilarating days in the sunshine and snow, then return to the hotel to warm up in luxury in the outdoor hot tub.

Groups or families can opt for the two-bedroom suites complete with a kitchen area and plenty of cushy seating in front of a gas fireplace—great for drying your wool socks and warming your toes. The pine furniture, homey colour scheme and flickering fire mean you’ll be toasty warm even when snowstorms swirl outside. Cook up a culinary feast in your suite or bask in the glow of the old stone fireplace at the on-site Black Diamond bar and grill, where the black-and-blue tuna or nourishing jambalaya will provide sustenance for another day of winter adventuring.

If you’re looking for more than skiing on your winter vacation, snuggle up under a blanket with a steaming thermos of hot chocolate between your mittens for a horse-drawn sleigh ride through silvery, snow-laden forest trails. For something truly Canadian, bundle up for a traditional dog sledding adventure, all of which can be booked through the resort concierge.

Sparkling Hill Resort is a Swarovski crystal-themed hotel in the rolling hills of Vernon, BC. Check in and make your way to the KurSpa wellness centre, which offers Cryo Cold Chamber treatments. The rose steam room surrounds you with fragrant mist from heated wall tiles embedded with rose petals, while the salt steam room recreates the effects of a salt cave.

Forget the ski lift—why not take a helicopter to go off-trail? The hotel partners with helicopter companies to take you heli-skiing in the Monashee Mountains. Slopes of naturally well-spaced trees and majestic alpines provide a skier’s paradise.

Return to the Sparkling Hill Resort for dinner at PeakFine. This farm-to-table restaurant uses local produce to create dishes like the Bison Flat Iron and serves wine from the Okanagan region—known as the Napa of the North. Afterwards, retire to a room with a queen-size bed, walk-through glass shower and crystal-shaped tub. Cozy up next to your Swarovski fireplace, or enjoy the views of grassland hills through floor-to-ceiling windows.

Wind down after a long day’s skiing with a movie in the theatre room at Evolution Whistler. If you want to soothe your muscles, head to one of the outdoor pools or hot tubs with quintessential Whistler alpine views, or stay indoors and relax in the heat of the sauna and the Eucalyptus steam room.

Evolution is just 300m from Whistler Mountain’s Creekside Gondola. It’s often less busy than those in the main resort, so you can get back on the slopes in double-quick time. When you’re not busy perfecting your parallel turns, you can explore some of the local natural attractions like the sparkling Alpha, Nita and Alta lakes.

Back at the hotel, suites decorated in splashes of vibrant hues are equipped with self-catering facilities for a home-away-from-home feel. If you don’t feel like cooking, sample some contemporary French food—such as roasted duck with cinnamon-spiced almonds—under the rustic wooden beams of the Red Door Bistro, an eight-minute walk from your residence.

Experience life in a charming BC ski village, modelled on those found in Italy’s South Tyrol, at Delta Residences at Sun Peaks. This series of condos is a convenient eight-minute walk from the Sun Peaks Resort. With 4,270 acres of skiable terrain, it’s home to Canada’s second-largest snow sports area and has both Alpine and Nordic trails.

While pastels colour the exterior, inside the residences are decorated in calming neutral tones and warm, wooden fittings, with balconies for breathing in the crisp mountain air. Relax on the bed’s pillow-top mattress to rest before the next day’s adventures. Feeling the cold after taking on the snow? Soak in an outdoor hot tub as you take in the verdant views.

Mantles restaurant is a family-friendly dinner option, with a welcoming fire and seasonal dishes like white wine mussels. If you prefer something just for the grown-ups, Morrissey’s Public House cooks up comforting pub grub, such as stuffed burgers and pulled pork sandwiches, and serves its drinks in old-school mason jars.

Stay in the heart of the Cascade Mountains at Manning Park Resort. With sparkling lakes, lush alpine meadows and forested mountains, this is a spectacular region of British Columbia. With 64 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, a number of snowshoe routes, outdoor ice skating, tobogganing and tubing at Polar Coaster Tube Park, this is a true winter wonderland.

Nestled in EC Manning Provincial Park, the resort has the option of rustic private cabins (including the 50-person Last Resort), charming family chalets or ensuite rooms at the lodge. The rooms are spacious and homey, with warm duvets and comfy queen- or king-size beds to sleep in after an activity-filled day.

Gather round the crackling fire pit at Pinewoods Dining Room for hearty meals such as ribeye steak or wild BC Steelhead salmon. The Bear Den Pub is a cozy, log-walled space with a pool table for some after-dinner entertainment.

For a skiing vacation beside Whistler’s sole lakeside property, Nita Lake Lodge is for you. Borrow the hotel’s canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to strike out across the water, then soothe aching muscles in the heated swimming pool, steam room and hot tub at the organic spa before treating yourself to a Himalayan Salt Crystals Body scrub.

Spacious suites include plump leather couches, glass-enclosed rain showers and basalt gas fireplaces. Curl up in the king-size bed or soak in the double bathtub to unwind and ready yourself for another day’s skiing. Located just 550m from the Creekside Gondola, you can easily head home straight from Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort.

After some morning skiing, go for a late breakfast at The Aura restaurant, where dishes like short rib hash are made with fresh local ingredients or head to Fix Café—which serves gourmet Fair-trade coffee from Thailand—for a quick pick-me-up. The Cure Lounge and Patio’s neon wall signs and chesterfield sofas mean it’s an eclectic space for a craft cocktail like the Zen, made with cucumber-infused wallflower gin and flavoured with chamomile, mint and lavender.

Nestled inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Banff National Park, the luxury Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise has welcomed guests since 1913. The resort offers panoramas of the majestic Victoria Glacier and is just steps away from emerald waters of Lake Louise. Rooms have modern conveniences, charming period features and awe-inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains.

Built as a base for fans of the great outdoors, you’ll find both world-class skiing and scenic hiking here. The nearby Lake Louise Ski Resort has facilities for groups of different abilities to carve the powder together; beginner, intermediate and expert runs are accessible from every chairlift. Indoors, enter an oasis in the fully equipped spa, complete with a pool, steam room and Jacuzzi to relax in. Take a dip before booking a massage or treatment, such as the Lake Louise Soothing Lavender Dreams option, which includes a full-body exfoliation using Turkish salts infused with aromatic herbs.

Walliser Stube restaurant and wine bar has a chic Alpine-inspired menu featuring dishes like authentic Swiss fondue, while Lago Italian Kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients to create Mediterranean meals such as Sicilian meatballs.

Under the shadow of magnificent mountain peaks lies the romantically snow-dusted Banff Aspen Lodge. Fuel up on your complimentary breakfast before jumping on the free shuttle bus service to the powder paradise of Mount Norquay. Here you’ll find 60 invigorating runs spread over 190 acres of terrain. The Lodge is also a great choice for environmentally minded travellers, with several sustainability initiatives like the option to stagger daily housekeeping services to help preserve the hotel’s pristine natural surroundings.

Spend the day breathing in crisp Rocky Mountain air as you practice your turns on the feather-light snow, then head back to your hotel to soak your muscles in one of two outdoor hot tubs. If you prefer a slow-paced day, grab a book and a blanket and settle in next to the communal fireplace. Upstairs in your tidy, contemporary hotel room, you can pour yourself a freshly brewed coffee and sink into comfortable beds to recharge for some après-ski fun.

Come dinnertime, Banff spoils visitors for choice when dining out. Try the warm, soft buttered pretzels at the Banff Ave Brewing Co. or, for a high-end experience, sample the Alberta bison tenderloin at The Maple Leaf grill and lounge. It doesn’t get more Canadian than the restaurant’s rustic yet elegant log cabin interior, which makes for an ideal dinner spot on dark, snowy nights.

Just 50 meters from the Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort gondola, Sommet des Neiges is a ski-in, ski-out resort made up of aparthotel suites. They’re set within an elegant chateau-style complex and feature large bay windows with views of the towering mountains.

Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort is home to the highest peak in the Laurentians and offers freestyle snow parks for experienced skiers and a designated zone for beginners. Go exploring on the seven snowshoe trails or take a guided tour, which includes an intimate fondue dinner in the forest. Post-adventure, soak in the outdoor hot tub, which is nestled in a stone-built terrace.

Worked up an appetite? You can rustle up a home-cooked meal in the well-equipped kitchen—or, if you prefer to eat out, you can head to one of the restaurants within a 10-minute walk, such as La Savoie, which serves traditional Swiss fondue.

Say bonjour to a ski-in/ski-out resort experience at the Lodge de la Montagne, ideally situated in the picturesque Mont Tremblant pedestrian village. Since the first chairlift was installed at the resort in 1939, Mont Tremblant has grown into a world-class ski destination with 102 trails on four distinct slopes, all under two hours by car from Montreal.

The Lodge uses architecture and design to give guests a dreamlike winter vacation, from the log cabin-inspired lobby to the wood-trimmed gym and plaid-dressed bedrooms. Rooms seamlessly blend the rustic and modern, with palettes of grey and golden yellow creating warm spaces that invite you to wind down after an active day on the trails. You’ll be able to soak up incredible mountain views from the outdoor hot tub, or if you’d prefer an indoor wind-down, you can head to the hotel’s fitness room and sauna.

If you’ve booked a suite with a kitchen area, stock up on provisions at the magasin générale and prepare a tasty meal in. Or, stroll to the village for dinner—we recommend La Maison de la Crêpe for indulgences like La Mer, a savoury crêpe stuffed with seafood, saffron béchamel sauce and local Oka cheese. Even if you think you don’t have room for dessert, sweet choices like the Crêpe à la Poire Williams might just warm you up to the idea.

The Embarc Blue Mountain is a two-minute drive from the south base lodge at the Blue Mountain Resort ski park, giving visitors easy access to an impressive 365 acres of skiable terrain. As you carve your way down one of the seven glade skiing runs amid frosted trees populated with crimson Northern cardinals, you’ll wonder why Ontario isn’t better known for its alpine trails.

With a choice of accommodation options across several buildings to suit all party sizes and budgets, you can settle in for a relaxing home-away-from-home stay at the Embarc. During the week, order a breakfast basket to be delivered directly to your vacation unit for a fueling morning start before you hit the slopes. If you’re visiting on a weekend, tuck into the breakfast buffet served in Great Room of the lodge.

If you want to give your adrenaline levels a break, strap on snowshoes (they can be rented from the resort) and marvel at the Niagara Escarpment as you explore the quiet trails around the mountain. When you return rosy-cheeked to your tastefully decorated suite, cuddle up in front of the fireplace and watch the snowfall over your balcony or patio.

A pleasant 10-minute drive from Canada’s snowiest city, Corner Brook, the Marble Villa at Marble Mountain Resort is Atlantic Canada’s only ski-in, ski-out accommodation just 200 feet from the Black Mariah chairlift. Skiers and snowboarders of all levels can enjoy Newfoundland’s famous welcome while exploring the 230 acres of skiable terrain, with 39 runs and an expansive terrain park.

When you’re done admiring the snow-capped views, head back to the hotel and leave your footwear on the convenient boot dryer before heading up to your fully equipped condo suite. Amid contemporary furnishings and wood accents, kick back and warm your toes next to the in-suite propane fireplace.

While you may not find a cod to kiss in the resort’s base lodge, you will find a handy cafeteria, bar area and crackling fireplace under a stunning wooden cathedral ceiling—perfect for a pre-dinner pint or hot chocolate. For dining options, drive into Corner Brook to sample a traditional Newfoundland “Jigg’s Dinner” at the canteen-style Aroma’s Plus. Or please the kids at Jungle Jim’s, where the Safari Meal Deal includes a trip to Jim’s Treasure Chest to choose a toy.

If you’re already based in the Maritimes or looking for a skiing vacation that’s a little out of the ordinary, try Nova Scotia’s second largest ski hill, Martock, just a 45-minute drive from Halifax. The Super 8 Windsor is a short 15 minutes by car from Martock’s four lifts, seven trails and three freestyle terrain areas, making it easy to hit the slopes after your free SuperStart breakfast.

Families looking for some après-ski fun will appreciate the hotel’s indoor pool with a waterslide, while couples and groups can ease into the bubbling hot tub. With a convenient laundry room at the hotel, you can easily dry your winter gear while you take a break in your bright, airy hotel room decorated in light wood tones and mellow colours.

To replenish the calories burned on the slopes, make sure to check out the dining options around Windsor. Locals and visitors alike rave about the fresh seafood and delicious dessert pies at Lisa’s Café on Water Street. For something warm and hearty, refuel with traditional British pub grub dishes like satisfying bangers and mash at The Spitfire Arms British pub.

The Delta Hotels Fredericton is the preferred accommodation partner of Crabbe Mountain, which has seen many changes since the first trail was cut in 1959. This winter sports haven now boasts 21 alpine trails, many of which are suitable for advanced skiers, as well as 30 kilometres of Nordic trails and three freestyle terrain parks. To make visits to the park easy, the Delta offers “ski and stay” packages throughout the winter season.

After perfecting your agile turns in the glades, you’ll likely be ready for some serious pampering. Stay cozy in your room and enjoy an in-suite massage provided by the hotel’s own Splurge Salon & Esthetics. Once fully rejuvenated, sit back and admire the room’s modern sophisticated design, with white desktops and sofas in the suites and striking accents in burgundy and orange.

If you’re looking for some indoor exercise, go for a swim in the heated indoor pool. If travelling with the family, lie back on a lounger while the kids make waves in the children’s pool. For a re-energizing meal, you can stroll down to the hotel’s Urban Grill for some locally sourced seafood without having to change out of your indoor shoes. Try the Graystone ale and garlic mussels, or a delectable, feel-good vegan meal like the cauliflower tempura.