If you’re thinking of taking the family on a fabulous Canadian Ski holiday, we’ve done the hard yards for you with our round-up of great ski resorts with excellent skiing and plenty of kid-friendly facilities and fun.
Whistler-Blackcomb
Even non-skiiers have heard of Whistler! The biggest resort in North America, Whistler is just two hours from beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Whistler village is the perfect place to set up base, with ski-in ski-out family accommodation, fantastic restaurants and plenty on offer for little ones including Snow School, magical tree forts and spectacular fire and ice show on Sunday evenings.
The Slopes
Over 200 runs connected by 37 lifts on two big mountains, with three glaciers and 16 alpine bowls on offer. There are five terrain parks, a superpipe and a snow cross track.
The Season
Mid-November to late April
The Terrain
20% beginner (15% Blackcomb), 55% intermediate, 25% advanced (30% Blackcomb)
The Website
Sun Peaks
This charming, family-friendly ski-through village is picture-postcard pretty. Sun Peaks is also home to Olympic champ, Nancy Greene who takes tours around the resort most days. The whole family will have a heap of fun ice skating and on tube rides, sleigh rides and dog sled tours.
Sun Peaks Family Cup All Nations Celebration featuring Australian Olympic athletes Ben Sim (Nordic) and Ramone Cooper (Moguls), both of whom competed for Australia during the 2010 Winter Games, kicks off January 2, 2013 and runs to January 16.
The Slopes
With three mountains there are 11 lifts for 122 trails, including 12 gladed areas, with green, blue and black runs.
The Season
Mid-November to late April
The Terrain
10% beginner, 58% intermediate and 32% advanced.
The Website
Sunshine Village
The breathtaking Banff National Park in Alberta is home to Sunshine Village. Banff’s skiing and snow delights are renowned around the globe and with so many visiting families, season to season, they have family fun, facilities and food down to a fine art!
The Slopes
There are 115 marked trails, a new beginner terrain park, snowcross course and the Telus terrain park for the more experienced.
The Season
Early November to late May.
The Terrain
15% easiest; 40% intermediate, 35% advanced and 10% extreme
The Website
Fernie
Fernie is a world-class snow destination offering families ski-in, ski-out accommodation options and plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities too! Moose, elk and deer sightings will delight the kids.
The Slopes
Ten lifts service 142 runs plus five alpine bowls and tree skiing, Fernie has an exceptional beginners’ area, plenty of things to do, including guided geocaching treasure hunts
The Season
Early December to mid April.
The Terrain
30% beginner; 40% intermediate and 30% advanced.
