Discover the 8 Largest Ski Resorts in Canada

Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports, with thousands of people taking to the slopes every year. There are around 295 ski resorts in Canada. Although some ski areas are fairly small, others are huge resorts with thousands of skiable acres as well as numerous amenities such as shops and restaurants. So, let’s take a look at the largest ski resorts in Canada, ranked by the size of their skiable area.

8. Revelstoke Mountain Resort

The first ski resort on the list is Revelstoke Mountain Resort with a total of 3,121 skiable acres. It has 59 runs, the longest of which is 9.5 miles, and a mighty vertical drop of 5,620 feet. Revelstoke is situated on Mount Mackenzie and has an average snowfall of 413 inches. There are plenty of things to do on the mountain, with areas for both beginners and advanced, as well as Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobile tours. There’s also a ski and snowboard school, with options for both adults and children.

7. Silver Star Mountain Resort

The next ski area on the list is Silver Star Mountain Resort in British Columbia with a ski area of 3,282 acres. There are 133 ski runs at Silver Star Mountain, the longest of which is five miles. The resort also offers 204 acres of night skiing, which is available between 3:30 pm and 8:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. But that’s not all, as there are also options for Nordic skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice skating. Plus, there’s a tubing hill and three terrain parks. Silver Star has an average snowfall of 276 inches, and the best time to visit is between January and March based on the quality and quantity of the snow.

6. Sunshine Village Ski Resort

The next largest ski resort in Canada is Sunshine Village which spans 3,358 acres. It boasts 145 runs, with the longest being five miles. Sunshine Village is located near Banff and has a vertical drop of 3,510 feet from a summit of 8,957 feet. It receives an average of 360 inches of snowfall per year and is typically open from early November to mid-May. There are five terrain parks at Sunshine Village, including a dedicated kids park with mini terrain features. There’s also a ski and snowboard school which offers private and group lessons. Furthermore, Sunshine Village has a mountain lodge on site which is a ski-in, ski-out hotel.

5. Castle Mountain Resort

Located in Alberta, Castle Mountain Resort takes the fifth spot with 3,592 skiable acres. Castle Mountain has 94 runs, the longest of which is 4.3 miles long. There are trails to suit all ability levels, right up to expert double black diamond runs. Castle Mountain also features two terrain parks — one for beginners and one for intermediate to advanced level — which are the perfect places for skiers and snowboarders to hone their skills. There are six ski lifts serving the mountain, making all the runs easily accessible. Castle Mountain Resort also offers ski and snowboarding lessons for both children and adults. There’s an average annual snowfall of 354 inches, and the best months to visit are February and March, which have an average base depth of more than 30 inches.

4. Red Mountain Resort

Located in Rossland, Red Mountain Ski Resort offers 3,850 acres of skiable terrain which includes 119 runs across five different peaks. The runs are suitable for skiers of any ability, from beginner to expert. 17% of the runs are suitable for beginners, while 34% are suitable for intermediate skiers. The longest run is 4.3 miles long, and there are eight lifts serving the trails. However, one of the most notable features of Red Mountain Resort is the licensed daycare on site, which means that young children can be left in safe hands while the adults are out on the slopes. Red Mountain receives an average snowfall of 300 inches, and the best time to visit is typically between January and March.

3. Lake Louise Ski Resort

The third-largest ski resort in Canada is Lake Louise Ski Resort in Banff National Park. Lake Louise has 4,200 skiable acres with 164 runs. It also has three terrain parks with features suitable for beginners through to advanced level. Plus, there’s even a tubing park, so the whole family can enjoy the fun. Lake Louise Ski Resort also offers ski and snowboarding lessons as well as equipment rental. However, if you don’t fancy a day on the slopes then you can take advantage of the sightseeing gondola trips that are available or check out one of the several dining areas either in the base camp or on the mountain.

2. Sun Peaks Ski Resort

Taking the second position is Sun Peaks Ski Resort in British Columbia, which boasts 4,270 acres of skiable terrain. Sun Peaks ski resort features 137 runs which cater for skiers of all ability levels. There’s a vertical drop of 2,894 feet, and the longest run is an impressive five miles long. The resort also features a terrain park that spans 10 acres and includes more than 40 terrain features with varying degrees of difficulty.

Sun Peaks also offers Nordic skiing, with a wide range of trails and backcountry terrain available. Additionally, there’s a ski school on site that offers private and group lessons, including an introduction to skiing for children aged three to six.

1. Whistler Blackcomb Mountains

Whistler Blackcomb Mountains is the largest ski resort in Canada, offering 8,171 acres of skiable terrain. The resort is located in British Columbia and spans two mountains — Whistler and Blackcomb. It features 234 runs and has a vertical drop of 5,279 feet.

Whistler Blackcomb Mountains ski resort has a variety of runs that are suitable for beginners right through to experts. It also offers backcountry skiing for those seeking an off-piste challenge. Additionally, there are two terrain parks that boast a wide range of natural and man-made features where skiers can hone their skills. The resort also has a ski and snow school which offers lessons for adults and children (including adaptive lessons). The average annual snowfall at Whistler Blackcomb is 448 inches, and the resort is open from late November to late May.

Summary of the Largest Ski Resorts in Canada

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