Five Must-Do Ski Trips in BC

The Okanagan: Three Welcoming Resorts in the Heart of BC

In BC’s interior are the ski-in, ski-out resorts of the Okanagan. Okanagan Lake runs north to south over 135 km (84 mi), providing just enough moisture to make for some remarkable, sunny powder days with featherlight snow. 

Apex is first up, situated just an hour away from the US border off Highway 97. The resort offers easy-access lifts and plenty of steeps in a cozy atmosphere, while off-slope activities include sliding down the tube park or lacing up at the ice-skating loop that winds through the forest. 

The Kootenays: Cold Smoke and Classic Ski Culture

Two-and-a-half hours north of Spokane, WA, in the southeast corner of BC, is an area residents affectionately call the “Koots,” short for Kootenays. The Ktunaxa Nation‘s traditional territory spans from here into the US states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The area has several small towns serving as hubs for all kinds of outdoor recreation, but especially winter sports; the network of roads connecting these locales is known as “The Powder Highway.” Coming here is a voyage to a world of deep powder, uncrowded lifts, and communities that prioritize powder over a day at the desk.

Just 15 minutes from the US border is the town of Rossland, home to RED Mountain Resort. Skiing is the talk of the town, with homegrown shops such as Butch Beautry Ski Shop offering space to share tall tales while also outfitting the latest gear.  On RED, you’ll find well-spaced tree skiing with sustained pitches topping 2,000 feet. A great time to visit is during the annual Winter Carnival in late January, when residents come out to celebrate all things winter, as they have since 1898.

The Pacific Coast: Where Mountains Meet the Sea

While BC’s two Pacific Coast resorts have distinctly different vibes, they share one commonality: Proximity to the ocean, translating to copious amounts of snow.

People new to visiting Vancouver Island are often surprised by how massive it truly is. It’s three quarters the size of Switzerland with peaks that tower over 7,000 feet from sea level. In the middle of “The Island” is Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, just a 40-minute drive from the Comox Valley. This resort is a welcome surprise to newcomers when they first experience the lack of crowds and abundance of fresh snow when the storms hit. It’s also one of the few places in the world where one can start their morning on the slopes and finish their day surfing on the west coast in Tofino. Here the consistent winter swells can cap a multi-sport day of epic proportions. 

Over on the mainland, 90 minutes from downtown Vancouver is world-renowned  Whistler; home of Whistler Blackcomb. The two mountains boast North America’s largest in-bounds terrain at over 8,000 acres and consistently rank among the top resorts on the continent.  After the lifts close, the fun heats up in the village with restaurants and a nightlife that welcome ski boots well into the early hours. Or if you’d like a more refined activity, visit the Audain Art Museum only a few minutes walking distance from the lifts.

Utilize Your Ikon or Epic Pass

If you have either an Ikon or Epic Pass, then it makes even more sense to visit BC. Both passes offer multiple resorts to enjoy, including deals on lodging. Factor in a strong US dollar and a forecasted La Niña winter of cold temperatures and above-average snowfall, and you have more than enough justification to set your sights northward.

BC's Ski Map

There are 13 ski resorts around British Columbia. Create your ultimate ski trip using this map.