Inclusive Mountain Adventures in BC: What’s New for the 2024-2025 Winter Season

BC’s mountain resorts are known for their inclusivity, enthusiastically welcoming skiers or non-skiers, aficionados, newbies, and people with disabilities—and that’s a main reason why the Invictus Games selected BC as the host destination of its international sporting competition in February 2025. Offering a wealth of skiing and non-skiing adventures for all to enjoy, it’s no wonder the mountain culture in BC attracts people of all abilities from all corners of the world. 

Here is some more information about Invictus Games and trending stories from the mountains of BC: 

Countdown to the Invictus Games in Whistler and Vancouver: February 8-16, 2025 

This winter (February 8-16, 2025), the Invictus Games will bring its internationally renowned adaptive sporting competition for wounded, injured, or sick service personnel and veterans to Whistler and Vancouver. With an anticipated 550 competitors from 25 nations convening in BC, Invictus Games Vancouver/Whistler will make history with competitors able to participate in winter adaptive sports for the first time.

The Invictus Games was founded and launched in March 2014 by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. Following the inaugural Games’ success, the Invictus Games Foundation was established to continue its legacy. 

Here are four things to know about Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025:

• For the first time in Invictus Games history, competitors will be able to participate in winter adaptive sports, specifically alpine skiing, alpine snowboarding, biathlon, Nordic skiing, skeleton, and wheelchair curling. The winter additions complement the Games’ core sports of indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, swimming, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair basketball. 
• The Invictus Games will take place at central venues like Whistler Blackcomb, Whistler Olympic Park, Whistler Sliding Centre, Vancouver Convention Centre, Hillcrest Centre, BC Place, and more. Tickets for all sporting events are available on the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025 website, and start at $13.45 per ticket.
• The opening ceremony on February 8 will signal the start of the Games with international music artists like Katy Perry, Nelly Furtado, Roxane Bruneau, and Noah Kahan staging a spectacular show at BC Place. The closing ceremony on February 16 will commemorate the competition with music and special appearances at Rogers Arena.
  
• This event marks the first time that artists from each of the Four Host Nations—Squamish, Lil’wat, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations—have come together to develop a visual identity for a major sporting event. Each artist was selected by a committee of Indigenous leaders based on their diverse artistic mediums, including carving and weaving. The final designs reflect the cultural traditions of the Salish people of the Pacific Northwest. The art incorporates symbolic elements like oval shales, crescents, and trigons. Indigenous participation is a critical element of the Games, with the organizing committee ensuring the Four Host First Nations languages, traditions, protocols, and cultures are meaningfully acknowledged, respected, and represented throughout the planning and hosting process.  

For more information about the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025, visit invictusgames2025.ca. 

Expanding access to BC’s mountains

Alaska Air and WestJet add direct flights to Kelowna

New flight options will expand access to BC’s ski resorts for US and Canadian travellers this winter making the resorts even more accessible. Alaska Airlines has added direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX) and Seattle (SEA) to Kelowna (YLW), while WestJet has added flights from Toronto, Ontario (YYZ) to Kelowna (YLW). The new routes will help to boost visitation during ski season to SilverStar Mountain Resort, Big White Ski Resort, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort. These resorts are including in nature, and now more people can experience their beauty. Bonus: A daily shuttle runs between YLW and Big White or SilverStar Mountain Resort, making it easier for guests with or without mobility issues to head directly from the plane to the mountain.

New chairlift opens access to Sun Peaks’ highest elevation ski areas in winter 2024-2025 

New trails and regular grooming in the West Bowl contribute to a zone that provides more options for skiers and snowboarders of most abilities, including intermediate terrain with plenty of cruise-y blue runs. Visitors to Sun Peaks Resort in Sun Peaks near Kamloops will be able to ski the elusive West Bowl in the 2024-2025 winter season with the introduction of the West Bowl Express—a new high-speed, detachable quad chairlift. Located in the alpine of Tod Mountain, the West Bowl is among Sun Peaks’ highest elevation skiable areas and, for the past three years, has been accessible via a short hike only. This season, the new chairlift will provide immediate access to the area, which is known for quality snow and scenic vistas, including sweeping alpine views. 

Accessible explorations at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 

Did you know the gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden is inclusive to all visitors? Skiers and boarders can flip up the interior benches to make space for wheelchairs and other mobility devices. In addition to the mountain summit, the gondola takes visitors to Eagle’s Eye, Canada’s highest restaurant, at an elevation of 2,346 metres (7,700 feet) above sea level. The restaurant is fully accessible and offers panoramic views of five national parks. 

Inclusive ways to explore the mountains

See Sun Peaks Resort aboard an accessible Snow Limo 

Non-skiers or people with a disability can board the Snow Limo at Sun Peaks Resort in Sun Peaks near Kamloops for a guided tour of the ski hills. The Snow Limo enables users to experience the exhilaration of a gravity-powered descent through a winter wonderland. Riders are escorted up the chairlift by a personal chauffeur, then they can settle back for a guided tour along the champagne snow-covered ski trails to take in the scenic splendour of the mountain. In addition, Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks offers specialized learn-to-ski and snowboard lessons with adaptations for people with diverse physical, sensory, cognitive, and neurodivergent needs. 

Whistler Blackcomb introduces Squamish- and Lil’wat-inspired cuisine on the mountain

Skewk’ / Yecwláo7 / Ravens Nest Restaurant (opening Dec 14, 2024) located at the top of Creekside Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb in Whistler, now serves Indigenous fare inspired by Squamish and Lil’wat culinary traditions—think elk and venison, smoked salmon, and candied salmon kale Caesar salads. The menu was created in partnership with the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre and Thunderbird Café, and showcases Indigenous partners like Spirit Bear Coffee Company, Nk’Mip Cellars, Ravens Brewing Company, Boreal Heartland, and Authentic Indigenous Seafood. 

Try powder skiing via snowcat at RED Mountain Resort

Accessibility improves the experience for everyone! RED Mountain Resort in Rossland introduces guests to the thrill of powder skiing (with no avalanche gear or guide required) with a quick ride in a snowcat from the summit of Grey Mountain to adjacent Mt. Kirkup. From here, a 626-metre (2,054-foot) vertical drop offers an exhilarating ride back to the Grey Mountain chairlift, complete with open runs, tree skiing, and rolling advanced terrain. Experience the adrenaline with a bulk punch card for $15/ride (single tickets are $20/ride). 

New ways to learn on the mountains

New learning area now open at Revelstoke Mountain Resort 

Revelstoke Mountain Resort in Revelstoke will introduce a new, inclusive learning zone this winter. Designed for visitors who are new to skiing, still getting comfortable with their technique, or seeking a space where the whole family can ski together, the learning zone features the Cupcake Carpet, a dedicated space for beginners and families to carve their first turns; a new Mountain Sports School with classroom space and expanded programming for skiers of all ages; and terrain enhancements to Sally Alley, a popular route for skiers just starting to explore the slopes. The learning zone is located at the top of the Revelation Gondola and represents the completion of a multi-year plan to expand beginner and intermediate terrain on the mountain. 

New beginner terrain park opens at SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar Mountain Resort near Vernon has introduced the new Start Park, an area for beginner skiers and riders to shred and progress. Part of the resort’s six hectares (16 acres) are beginner, intermediate, and advanced lanes as well as the Start Park, along with Bannister Park—a night park with boxes, rails, and jumps where skiers of all abilities can sharpen their skills safely. This investment supports SilverStar’s goal of offering a safe and progressive mountain experience for everyone to enjoy.