What's New in Canada's Ski Resorts

With the Australian summer in full swing, many of us are dreaming of fresh powder snow, Canadian mountain ranges and picturesque ski villages. When the time is right to travel again, there's no doubt Aussies will make a beeline for their long-awaited North American winter fix. In the meantime, stay up to date with the latest additions and improvements to Canada's top ski resorts.

Revelstoke, British Columbia

Voted the best ski resort in Canada by the prestigious World Ski Awards, Revelstoke Mountain Resort has begun construction on a luxury hotel sitting pretty at the base of the resort. Featuring 154 rooms and more than 7,300 square feet dedicated to the restaurant and bar, the property is poised to take the throne as Revelstoke's après action hub when it debuts in time for the 2023/24 season. Plus, it will serve as home base for Selkirk Tangiers Heli with three helipads adjacent to the property.

On the mountain, visitors can venture into new ski areas, thanks to the recently installed Stellar Chair, a fixed grip quad leading to six runs and 130 metres of vertical.

RED Mountain, British Columbia

RED Mountain, in Rossland, BC, is every skier's dream come true with more than 4,000 skiable acres – the most acreage per skier in North America – and ski-in, ski-out access courtesy of The Josie Hotel, a luxury property that woos guests with slope-side cedar barrel saunas and dazzling mountain vistas.

For a more rustic getaway, RED recently introduced The Constella, a collection of eco-friendly cabins and central clubhouse situated in Granite Mountain's Paradise Basin, granting visitors direct access to the chairlift from sunrise.

Lake Louise, Alberta

The new Lake Louise Ski Resort Summit Chair is taking the mountain by storm: a four-minute ride brings skiers to the peak of Whitehorn Mountain, where exhilarating runs await. Also new is the front side West Bowl, a vast area the size of 240 Canadian football fields, selectively maintained with picturesque tree glading. Here, intermediate to expert skiers can follow endless routes and fall lines through steeps, powder bowls and glades, taking in majestic views of the Canadian Rockies and Bow Valley.

Visitors who prefer exploring to shredding can take a ride on the Sightseeing Gondola, which ascends to breathtaking panoramas of the Rocky Mountains.

Mont Tremblant, Quebec

New to skiing? Family-friendly Mont Tremblant hosts an impressive assortment of adult and kiddie ski programs at the Tremblant Snow School. The “Elle” category is reserved for women only, while the adult ski racing program and Summit Club offer various terrains where guests can improve their technique while zipping down the slopes.

Also available, A Mountain for All is designed for skiers with impaired mobility or special needs, ensuring no one is denied the thrill of a Canadian mountain adventure.

Banff Sunshine Village, Alberta

Voted North America's second-best ski resort for 2020 by Condé Nast Traveler, Banff Sunshine Village offers the longest non-glacial ski season and only heated chairlift in Canada. The mountain is renowned for powdery snow, terrain suitable for all skill levels, and a thrillingly steep backcountry zone.

Non-ski frolics

Canada's ski resorts are renowned for being equally exciting for non-skiing. We're talking snow-drenched forest trails studded with the hoof and paw prints of elk, reindeer, foxes and moose, and snow-dome vistas glittering with pristine icicles.

Leave the bunny slopes behind and head to Gnarly's Tube Park at Cypress Mountain in Vancouver, BC. Here, kids of all ages can slide down six dedicated snow tubing chutes, each roughly 100 metres in length; the tube tow brings sliders back to the top, so riders can plummet to the base over and over (and over) again.

Dog sledding is the quintessential Canadian winter experience. At Sun Peaks Ski Resort, BC, bunker down in a sled and glide through the winter wonderland, led by your own team of huskies. Prefer to be in control? Jump on a snowmobile and explore the Sun Peaks backcountry, over frozen lakes, clear meadows with breathtaking views of the Thompson Nicola region.

At Whistler Blackcomb, fly through the forest on an exhilarating zipline adventure. Glide over spectacular creeks, among majestic old-growth trees, and learn about Whistler's pristine ecology and wildlife on a guided tour, ideal for the entire family.

www.keepexploring.com.au

Note: Border Restrictions still in effect
Canada is looking forward to welcoming Australian visitors once more when the time is right, guided by health regulations and clear border guidelines. Click here for COVID-19 updates.

Website: www.theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au