Five Unique BC Ski Towns

You’ll be smiling, too, when you experience those 20-plus centimeters (eight-plus inches) of fresh in person (the resort gets, on average, 10 meters or 30 feet of snow each winter). The aforementioned powdery bowls feature terrain that’s a mix of steep chutes and wide, forgiving hero runs that funnel into exciting glades and fast cruisers. The valley is also a good place to ski outside your comfort zone by booking a guided cat-ski tour with a local outfitter, or trying a new sport like fat biking.

Fernie has a growing food scene that includes sushi, curry, and farm-to-table fare, plus locally-owned businesses that have elevated “craft” to new levels. Stop in at Beanpod Chocolate, Gelato and Coffee, one of Canada’s few bean-to-bar chocolate makers. Or visit Fernie Distillers, whose Fernie Fog is a soon-to-be-iconic Earl Grey tea-infused liqueur.

There’s a saying in town that people come to Fernie for the winter, but stay for the summer. While that may be true, it’s also quite possible they stay for the community.

Getting there: Fernie is n 11.5-hour drive from Vancouver, BC, a 4.5-hour drive from Spokane, WA, and a 3-hour drive from Calgary, AB. Alternatively, you could fly into Cranbrook, BC, and drive 1 hour to town.

Here you can make tracks within the Peek-a-boo glades off of the Sundance Chair, hike to the backcountry-like pitches on Gil’s, an expert area on Tod Mountain, or chase the sun on Mt. Morrisey after lunch to soak up the afternoon rays. Then, toast an epic ski day with locals at Bottoms Bar & Grill.

Sun Peaks officially became a mountain resort municipality in 2010. Its 1,400 permanent residents live in the ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian-only, European-inspired village, and their children attend the on-mountain school. In a place that lives and breathes mountain culture, it’s no wonder visitors who maroon themselves in Sun Peaks often return to this authentic ski town. 

Getting there: Sun Peaks is a 5-hour drive from Vancouver, BC, a 6-hour drive from Seattle, WA, and 7 hours 45 minutes from Calgary, AB. Alternatively, you could fly into Kamloops, BC, and get a 45-minute shuttle to the resort community.

Though they may be caked with snow, at day’s end your ski pants and goggles will be in good company at any of the city’s three craft breweries and abundance of restaurants, where locals and visitors come direct from the hill with gear in tow. When everyone downtown is still clomping around in uncomfortable boots, there’s no doubt you’re in a bona fide ski town.

Getting there: Nelson is 8 hours 20 minutes from Vancouver, BC, a 3-hour drive from Spokane, WA, or a 7-hour drive from Calgary, AB. Alternatively, you could fly into Kelowna, BC, then rent a car and drive the 4 hours to Nelson. 

The ski experience has changed as much as the town. RED has grown to include four mountains with freeride terrain. You can glide straight to après-ski at timber-frame Rafters bar, or to your boutique room at stylish The Josie Hotel.

It’s fair to say people no longer come to Rossland to find their material fortune. They come seeking experiential riches, and the mountain, rising behind frost-dusted Rossland like a hooky beacon, delivers.

Getting there: Rossland is 7 hours 45 minutes from Vancouver, BC, a 2.5-hour drive from Spokane, WA, and 7 hours 15 minutes from Calgary, AB. Or, you can fly into Kelowna International Airport and drive for 3.5 hours. 

Whistler also boasts culture galore. Take a day off from skiing to soak at Scandinave Spa Whistler, browse the Audain Art Museum with Canadian and Indigenous art and artifacts, or visit the Whistler Museum to learn all about the town’s half-century of mountain culture, including its Olympic legacy.

Getting there: Whistler is a 1.5-hour drive from Downtown Vancouver, a 4.5-hour drive from Seattle, WA, and 11 hours from Calgary, AB. If you’re flying in, you can take a shuttle directly to Whistler Village from the Vancouver International Airport, or rent a car and drive the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway. 

For more information on how to plan your ski trip to British Columbia visit hellobc.com/ski.

Be sure to check DriveBC before heading out on any road trip and be aware of the winter tire and chain regulations across the province from October 1 to March 31.