Canada, why ski anywhere else?

There are countless reasons why Canada should be your number one choice for a ski or snowboard holiday. From shorter lift queues to cheaper mountain eats, Heli-skiing to watching the sunset from 6,000ft, there’s a ski resort in Canada for everyone – or why not try and fit in a few!

First things first, Canada’s got some of the world’s best snowfall, and some resorts, like Lake Louise, are open and ready to go from November. On the mountain, Canada is one of the best global destinations for powder lovers, so grab your gear and shred some of the best new snow, safely without a guide in the avalanche-controlled off-piste areas. This is compared to busier resorts in Europe where new snow doesn’t stay fresh for long, and it’s not advisable to ski off-piste without safety equipment.

Skiing in Canada is often considered to be a more enjoyable holiday experience, as the resorts are quieter which means shorter lift queues. Sometimes you can even ski with a whole piste to yourself! Canadians are also a friendly bunch, who speak English and share our sense of humour unlike some alternative European countries, so your experience can often be more relaxed on and off the mountain. Plus, hiring a car in Canada means you can explore multiple resorts in one holiday – try skiing in Kicking Horse one day, then Panorama or Banff the next.

Whistler is the place for thrill seeking skiers. Try Whistler’s Heli-skiing and cruise down untouched snow; getting dropped off by helicopter at the top of a mountain peak is not your everyday skiing experience, and definitely not one for the faint hearted. You can also try Cat skiing on Revelstoke Mountain in British Columbia to access some of the best of the backcountry and adrenaline fuelled runs. There’s fun for all the family at Mount Norquay’s tubing park in Banff. This unique way to enjoy the slopes is the first of its kind on the mountain and is particularly popular with non-skiers or beginners looking for a different way to cruise down the slopes.

Often one of the most costly aspects of going skiing is eating on the mountain, and normally you’re after more than just a baguette jambon. After burning off energy zipping down some of the resort’s best runs, you can re-fuel at an informal mountain lodge, like Christine’s in Whistler, where main meals start from $23 (£13). This is significantly cheaper than eating on the mountain in Europe – for example, St Anton’s Verwellstube offer main courses from a staggering £36 per dish.

A fun and unique eating option is the Mountain top BBQ in Whistler, where every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening at the Roundhouse lodge you can enjoy gourmet food, live music and watch the sun set from 6,000ft. Canada is also home to some lively après ski and nightlife, and the alcohol is cheaper than in many European mountain bars – hurrah!

Whichever resort you choose to visit on your ski holiday to Canada, Canadian Affair can offer help and advice on where to go and what to do, contact one of our experts for more information.