Described by US-based Skiing Magazine as “Pure Canada” thanks to its “core skiing and end of the earth wilderness,” Panorama Mountain Village is a boutique resort featuring vast and varied terrain near the town of Invermere. The World Cup events that Panorama hosted in 2008 were so successful that Ski Canada magazine recognized the resort as having the “Best Town Spirit” and the “Most Noise at a World Cup Event.”
Combine great terrain and atmosphere with plentiful ski-in/ski-out lodging, small crowds and a charming village setting and it’s easy to see why Panorama is an ideal ski destination.
Vast Ski Area Boasts Huge Vertical Drop
Panorama’s nearly 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) of patrolled terrain feature over 120 trails, numerous bowls, several terrain parks and a half-pipe, not to mention an impressive 1,220m (4,000ft) vertical drop.
Expert skiers will love Panorama’s extensive former heli-skiing terrain, while intermediates are sure to enjoy the mountain’s super-long cruising runs. For beginners, gently groomed slopes make the resort a favourite.
Backcountry Skiing and Heli-Skiing
Head to the 283-hectare (700-acre) Taynton Bowl to experience awesome lift-serviced backcountry-style skiing. For the more adventurous, heli-skiing day trips leaving right from the village feature expert guidance and pristine powder in the Purcell Mountains.
Biggest Terrain Park in the Canadian Rockies
Panorama’s Showoff Terrain Park is nearly a mile long, making it the biggest in the Canadian Rockies. The park offers lots of air for advanced freestylers, and the assortment of features also makes it a great place for beginners to hone their freestyle skills.
Learn to Ski at Panorama
For the 2008/2009 season, Panorama has enlarged its beginners’ area and added a new, 135-metre (443-ft) “magic carpet” — a conveyor-belt-style lift that’s great for those new to the sport. Panorama’s Bilodeau School of Skiing and Snowboarding offers programs for all levels of skiers, and programs catering specifically to children and teens are available.
Mountainside Hot Pools and Ample Après-Ski
Panorama has the right ingredients for some great après-ski thanks to the largest slope-side hot pools in Canada and a good assortment of restaurants and pubs.
Practical Points
Accommodations at Panorama Mountain Village include a range of ski-in/ski-out hotel and chalet options. Additional accommodation can be found in nearby Invermere, roughly 30 minutes’ drive away.
Panorama’s ski season runs from December to April.
Lessons and equipment rentals are available.