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Skiing & Snowboarding

About Skiing and Snowboarding

These alpine adventures are an aspect of Canadian tradition that brings family and friends together during a time when our human instinct is to hibernate. Gliding down snow-covered hills is a healthy method to beat the winter blues, but it also has a funny way of keeping you hooked for life. Whether you’re donning skis and poles or strapped to a board, these cousin winter activities are recreational sports, challenging competitions, and always ways to transport you to pure happiness.
Marmot Basin 09 Jasper

The Learning Curve

Whether it’s your first time on the hill, or you’re looking to take your considerable skills to the next level, lessons from professional ski and boarding instructors are available on most hills. Book one-on-one instruction, reserve a group lesson, or drop the kids off for their first few strides with an instructor while you get in some runs. Advanced skiers can take lessons at Marmot Basin for an intense challenge that will up both your confidence and skill level.

Ski Lake Louise 04 Credit Banff Lake Louise Tourism Paul Zizka

Hit the Slopes

You and your group will have a blast on mountain as you whip over the snowy terrain, carve over wide hills, weave through sparkling trees, and even try a jump or two. With gondolas and chairlifts to take you to new heights, large maps posted at summits to help you choose your next adventure, and chalets to nourish you during your mid-day break, you’ll get in so many runs and have such a good time that the ski day will be over before you know it.

marmot Skiing Snowboarding

Apres Ski

Don’t forget about this quintessential part of the alpine sport experience! You’ve worked hard (and worked up an appetite) all day, and there’s nothing like a refreshing apres ski to recharge and get you ready for your next day of adventuring on the slopes. Peel off your layers, freshen up, and you’re ready to bask in the afterglow of your skiing or boarding exploits. 

Sink into a soothing hot tub, sit down at a posh restaurant for a delicious meal, sip on some cider or bubbly on a slope-side terrace, or check out the nearest mountain town for dancing, shopping, or firework-viewing. Whatever you want your apres-ski to be, just make sure you get some rest so you can sail over the slopes again tomorrow!

Tours with Skiing and Snowboarding

This winter, stay in a fairytale cottage on your way to Fernie BC. Take your family for a rejuvenating retreat, where you can unwind, explore scenic trails, and conquer the slopes.
Take a road trip to ski the Alberta Rocky Mountains, with stops in the Jasper and Banff Nation Park while staying at three of Western Canada’s finest properties. Available December to April.
Experience crisp mountain air as you travel far from the crowds. Climb frozen waterfalls, float above the snowy peaks, snowshoe dramatic mountain ranges & descend slopes. Available December to March.
Choose your own adventure and pick from the three finest ski areas in the Banff National Park! Ride two different resorts or stay at one. These 2 day lift, 2 night packages run every day in winter.
Located west of the Banff National Park, Golden BC is home to the incredible champagne powder at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This 2 day lift, 2 night tour is available all winter season.
Visit three resorts on this ski safari! That’s massive terrain, almost endless list of runs, gigantic area and excellent flexibility. Ride Lake Louise, Sunshine or Norquay & Kicking Horse in ONE trip.
The legendary Fernie Alpine Resort awaits your next turns! Choose from five delicious bowls filled with deep, tasty powder. Ski Fernie for 3 Full days and 4 night accommodations available all winter.
The highest base elevation of any major Canadian ski area, Marmot Basin is an alpine ski area located in Alberta’s Jasper National Park. These 2 day lift, 2 night packages run every day in winter.
Winter in the Canadian Rockies is the perfect time to experience your favourite cold weather activities. This unforgettable 8 day, 7 night package is accessible daily.

Build Your Own Alpine Tour

Let’s make a trip that’s uniquely yours! You decide how long, which mountains, number of inclusions, everything. Start planning now and make your dream trip a reality.

Staff Picks

Whistler Blackcomb

In the mountains just back from the ocean in British Columbia, you'll find seemingly unlimited terrain at the largest ski resort in North America.

Marmot Basin

It has the highest base elevation of all Canadian ski areas (1,698 metres), which attributes to a longer ski season. Their Canadian Rockies Express lift travels 2.3 kilometers in under 8 minutes, which means you get in more time on the slopes each winter.

Lake Louise

With 4,200 acres of skiable terrain and an average snowfall of 15 feet, this resort near Banff, Alberta offers a mix of alpine bowls, steeps, chutes, and plenty of groomed runs. It's truly a hill for boarders and skiers of all levels!

ADVENTURE

Benefits

Ski 12 Castle Mountain Credit Travel Alberta John Price

Burn Calories

The steeper the slope, the more intense the aerobic activity. Cold weather, believe it or not, contributes to higher calorie burn because the body is forced to work harder to maintain its internal temperature. 

Ski 05 Fernie Alpine Resort Credit Destination BC and Reuben Krabbe copy

Improve Sleep

These challenging sports typically last all day on the hill, and after all that exercise and fresh mountain air, you’ll be happily exhausted and ready for a deep sleep.

Ski 37 Kicking Horse Golden BC Credit RCR

New Challenges

There’s no adventure ceiling to these sports. Once you’ve got the basics, there are always new thrills to up your adrenaline experience. From backcountry skiing to snowboard terrain parks, to simply visiting a different ski resort full of exciting new runs, you’ll never run out of unique experiences.

Essential Gear and Equipment

  • Be sure to dress warm in synthetic or wool layers and bring mitts, a neck warmer, and toque. 
  • You’ll need your snowboard or skis, and boarding or ski boots, poles for skiing, and helmets and other safety gear like knee pads, especially if you’re just learning! 
  • Goggles will protect your eyes from the elements such as wind, snow, and glare from the sun.
  • If you don’t own the necessary gear, most items are available for rent at mountain resorts and ski hills. Rental employees will help you with making equipment decisions and assist you in adjusting the snowboard or ski bindings to the proper setting given your size and skill. 

Tips

  • Don’t ski alone – make sure you buddy up or go in a larger group. Having somebody with you is useful in case you fall, get wounded, or lose your way. Plus it’s always nice to chat with a friend during the chairlift ride!
  • Pack light – if someone in your group can bring a backpack, you can store things there. Otherwise, use the pockets in your ski coat and snowpants to carry items like lip balm, water, snacks, emergency first aid, and your phone.
  • Protect yourself from the sun – this may not seem important in winter, but sunny days pack a double whammy, as the sun’s rays reflect off all that snow. Use sunscreen on your face, goggles with polarized lenses, and SPF lip balm.
Ski Revelstoke Credit Ian Houghton 14

Did You Know?

The on-hill thrills don’t need to stop at sundown. If you’re hungry for even more skiing or snowboarding on your trip, night skiing is the activity for you. As the sun hides behind the mountains, the sky darkens, and the stars and moon emerge to decorate your view, you can enjoy your shadowed playground while most of your fellow downhill enthusiasts hang up their gear for the day. Resorts like Lake Louise, Mt. Norquay, Big White, and Blue Mountain will throw lights on select runs or provide you a headlamp for skiing by torchlight, enabling you to enjoy this truly magical experience. 

Ski Mt Norquay general 16 Norquay Credit SkiBig3 and Reuben Krabbe

Have Questions?

Sometimes it’s just easier to talk to someone. Give us a call and let’s discuss how we can create your unique experience.