There are many reasons to consider Canada for a luxury ski and snowboard holiday that far outway the shorter distances to the European ski resorts, whether you choose to stay in Whistler or at one of our featured resorts in Alberta’s staggeringly beautiful Banff National Park. Jaw-dropping Alpine scenery, metres-thick powder snow covering huge areas of skiable terrain (suitable for all levels of skier and snowboarder), excellent tuition and terrain parks, myriad outdoor pursuits and a fabulous luxury hotel to return to after a day on the slopes are just a few of the motivations for heading across the pond.
Consistently voted the No.1 ski resort in North America, in family-friendly Whistler there’s an amazing selection of snowy adventures to be enjoyed in the unlikely event that the lure of the pistes wanes, including Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, sleigh rides, dog-sledding, heli-skiing, ice-climbing and ice-skating. And, due to having Horstman Glacier on its doorstep, Whistler’s ski season can last until the end of July! Alternatively, you could take a tour of Whistler Olympic Park, enjoy shopping and lunching in the village or remain ensconced in your five star hotel enjoying a spa treatment. Come late afternoon, the acclaimed après-ski is also worth seeking out. More than worthy alternatives to Whistler, however, can be found in the resorts of Lake Louise and Banff Springs. The ski seasons here last from mid-November to mid-May and the resorts offer a varied terrain of 4,200 skiable acres, with options to enjoy an array of alternative winter activities, such as ice-fishing, cross-country skiing and heli-skiing, visiting Athabasca Glacier or simply enjoying a spa treatment and flexing your credit card in the shops, galleries and boutiques, fine dining restaurants and pubs. By evening, there are nightclubs and numerous bars to frequent (in both resorts) that are sure to satisfy those who love to party while on holiday.