Ski in BC: Where to Push Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone

Big and Bold

Whistler Blackcomb

“Whistler’s a year-round playground. Some of the best terrain, conditions, and experiences you’ll ever have.” Aaron Wilmshurst, Sydney, Australia

You don’t get bigger and bolder than Whistler Blackcomb. The granddaddy of British Columbia’s ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb, boasts 8,171 acres of skiable terrain (the largest in bounds in North America) across two mountain peaks connected by the famed, and world’s longest, PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Not convinced? How do three glaciers, 16 alpine bowls, and 200 marked runs sound? Thought so.

Thigh Burn

Revelstoke Mountain Resort

“Fantastic, challenging skiing with massive fall line, brilliant town, and great people.” Cam McKechnie, Melbourne, Australia

Revelstoke Mountain Resort in the Selkirk Mountains will test your thighs from top to bottom with 1,700 metres of vertical rise (the most in North America). That’s almost two kilometres from the top altitude to the bottom altitude with plenty of steep, fall line-groomed pitch, gladed powder tree runs, and even pillow lines to push yourself further. Lucky for you there’s more than 3,100 acres and 40-plus runs so you need never come down the same way twice. If you want extra kudos take the Last Spike; it’s 15.2 kilometres long.

Push Yourself

Big White Ski Resort

Not all skiers and boarders are created equal—but you can push yourself out of your comfort zone at Big White. Groomers can carve their tuned edges through the fast and smooth uber-groomed Okanagan corduroy then test their mettle skiing through the snow-laden monster trees, or snow ghosts, for which the resort is famed. Think you’re ready to play with the big kids? Head straight to The Cliff for some off-piste terrain and prove your advanced status in the Okanagan champagne powder before making your way into cinnamon-wafted wooden cabins for melted hot chocolate served fireside.

Prepare to Heli

Sun Peaks Resort

Sun Peaks is a picture-postcard ski-in/ski-out alpine village servicing three mountains of fun for all levels. But did you know that the resort is also known as a training ground for heli-skiers? The powder bowls, tree runs, and light, dry snow provide the perfect opportunity to get your ski legs and feel the burn before heading to nearby Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing for a multi-day powder feast.

Take a Sun Peaks “intro to backcountry” course and up your ski ante in the patrolled backcountry boot-pack terrain of Gil’s Bowl. Explore open fields, chutes, and tree runs. If you need a bigger nudge, ski with Olympic champion Nancy Greene. The Canadian icon takes skiers to her favourite stashes three days a week at 1 p.m. If you can keep up.

Snowcat-Assisted Skiing

Panorama Mountain Resort

Step into the off-piste wilds far from a chairlift without leaving the resort at Panorama. The Monster cat-skiing terrain is 750 acres of inbound open bowls, gladed ridge lines, steeps, and roll overs accessed by a cat ride a short walk behind Summit Hut. Lap the Monster terrain and use the cat as your personal lift to rugged patrolled wilderness.

EXPLORE BC'S SKI MAP

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