Why is Western Canada getting ever more interesting for winter enthusiasts?
For most Ski & Board enthusiasts it’s the famous „Champagne Powder“ that makes a real difference. The flaky dry Powder of the inland ski regions in British Columbia and Alberta Rockies. Just writing about it, I can hear the fresh snow crunch under my skis.
The snow record for the Winterregions and the accesability for international visitors are other interest driver. What does it for me?
- even counting in the airfare and maybe a rental car, for me the cost does mostly not surpass skiing the European Alps.
- lift waits in most Canadian ski areas are almost non existent – even on weekends & holidays – and in more famous areas, they are pretty short. You ski much more than you wait
- the runs & slopes aren’t crowded – you have ample space to go in your own pace
- within the ski areas parameter it’s “ski what you see”. Means: you can ski on runs or off runs – as long as you stay inside the clearly marked ski terrain borders.
Who flies where?
From Europes largest hubs, you can reach Vancouver (YVR), Kamloops (YKA), Calgary (YYC) or Edmonton (YEG) in about 9-10 hours by plane. Air Canada and KLM run special winter services from Frankfurt/Main (FRA) to Calgary (YYC) and Amsterdam (AMS) to Edmonton (YEG).
The most popular Ski & Snowboard areas in Westen Canada are:
British Columbia:
- Whistler Blackcomb – approx.1,5 Stunden north of Vancouver, following the Sea-to-Sky Highway 99North
- Sun Peaks Resort – northeast of Kamloops and north of famous Okanagan Valley
- Kimberley Alpine Resort – near Kimberley within the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains
- Fernie – near Kimberley & Cranbrook within the Selkirk Mountains (south. Canadian Rockies)
- Big White – near Kelowna within the Okanagan Valley
- Silver Star – near Vernon within the Okanagan Valley
My personal BC Tipps:
- Grouse Mountain (Vancouver) – Hit the slopes from Vancouver? Skytrain, Seabus & Skyride bring you up to Grouse Mountain in – mostly – less than an hour. Only the odd tourist, mostly Vancouverites.
- Mount Washington (Vancouver Island) – ski & board with a view over the Georgia Strait. Mostly locals, some international visitors. Large cross country terrain, but be careful: it’s cougar country!
Alberta (Canadian Rocky Mountains):
- Banff/Lake Louise: Ski Big3 – combines 3 ski areas on one lift ticket connecting shuttle busses
- Mt. Norquay – just outside Banff and perfect for families. Don’t forget to try the tube runs!
- Sunshine Village – about 20 min from Banff and a Gondola ride up. Delirium Dive for absolute pros, but lots of terrain for everyone. Amazing views on clear days from the mountain tops.
- Lake Louise Ski Resort – large ski & board terrain, family areas, leasurely sloping greens up to double black World Cup downhill runs.
- Nakiska Mountain – a bit off the beaten track within the Kananaskis Country, some greens but mostly intermediate to pro skiers/boarders
- Marmot Basin – about 15 min from Jasper, a great area for everyone
What`s the draw?
Besonders beliebt bei Skifahrern sind auch die gute Verfügbarkeit und preislich attraktiven Heliski Angebote in Kanada. Für europäische Skiurlauber ist das Catskiing in Kanada ein noch relativ neuer Trend. So ziehen die hervorragenden Skigebiete in Westkanada und den kanadischen Rocky Mountains immer mehr Skiurlauber über den großen Teich – mit guten Angeboten, hohem Service Standard, guter Infrastruktur und viel Skispass.
Soaring high up to enjoy the fresh snow
Helikopter-Ski Fans, die das Heliskiing Angebot in Kanada selber erleben möchten, möchte ich die Monashee Mountains nahe Kamloops, die Selkirk Mountains bei Revelstoke und die Purcell Mountains nahe Kimberley/Cranbrook empfehlen. Hier finden sich auch die bekanntesten kanadischen Heli-Ski Anbieter:
- Mike Wiegele Heli Skiing – Helikopter Ski in den Monashee und Cariboo Mountains
- Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing – Helicopter Ski in den Selkirk Mountains
- Great Canadian Heli-Skiing – Heli-Skiing in den Selkirk und Purcell Mountains
- Purcell Helicopter Skiing Ltd. – Heli-Skiing in den Purcell Mountains
- rk heliski – Helicopter Ski in den Purcell Mountains
- Snowwater Heli-Skiing – Heli-Skiing in den Selkirk Mountains (Bonningtons, Nelson Range & Valhalla Range)