What's new in Canada's ski resorts for winter 2023/24

Banff National Park

Majestic mountains and breathtaking landscapes, top-class ski resort facilities, lively après-ski and famous Canadian hospitality, have long made Canada a haven for winter enthusiasts.

The Canadian ski resorts offer diverse terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for seasoned pros. From Whistler to Sun Peaks and Banff to Lake Louise, Canadian ski resorts are unveiling several exciting developments offering an enhanced visitor experience.

What’s new in British Columbia

From Vancouver to the Rocky Mountains, you’ll find 13 destination ski resorts, with wide-open runs, deep snow and resorts boasting ‘ski-in ski-out’ villages from Whistler Blackcomb, to Sun Peaks, Silver Star Mountain Resort, and Big White Ski Resort.

• The Whistler Mountain's Fitzsimmons Express has opened just in time for the winter 2023/24 season. This eight-person high speed chair replaces the four-person chairlift, increasing uphill capacity by 73 per cent in winter.
• Wedge Mountain Lodge & Spa is a purposefully designed lodge, nestled just moments away from Whistler resort. Boasting ten meticulously appointed bedrooms, a private spa facility with a sauna, steam room, gym, massage rooms, hot tubs and refreshing pools, the lodge caters for groups seeking an exclusive and luxurious getaway.
• AlpX Yurt in the backcountry of the Coast Mountain range outside of Pemberton, is a new remote accommodation option for Sky to Sea explorers. Accessible by helicopter from Whistler Heliport, a short flight will transport skiers, boarders, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to their Yurt for the evening, with a new guided backcountry touring skiing experience.
• Sun Peaks is the second-largest ski area in Canada. The European-style ski-in/ski-out, pedestrian village features locally owned and operated shops, restaurants and lodging. This winter Adaptive Sports at Sun Peaks provides weekly ski and snowboard lessons to students living with disabilities throughout the winter season.
• Big White Ski Resort is celebrating its 60th Birthday in 2023. Located in the interior of British Columbia, less than one hour from Kelowna, it’s a family-friendly destination that boasts Canada’s largest ski-in/ski-out resort village. Opening this winter, is the Spa at Stonebridge Lodge, where guests can relax and rejuvenate after an exhilarating day on the slopes.
• SilverStar is a big mountain with a small-town feel. Located 22 kilometres from Vernon and less than an hour from Kelowna’s airport, it has become a locals’ favourite in Okanagan. In 2023 SilverStar has doubled its upload capacity thanks to the addition of 21 new gondola cabins to increase uphill capacity.

What’s happening in Alberta

SkiBig3’s three-for-one option is hard to beat, with a single lift ticket providing direct lift access at all three resorts: Banff Sunshine Village, Lake Louise Ski Resort and Mt. Norquay.

Lake Louise Resort

Lake Louise offers one of the most scenic ski resorts in North America, with spectacular scenery, vast terrain, and the must-do Sightseeing Gondola. Acclaimed for its delicious, powdery snow and thrilling backcountry zone, Banff Sunshine Village offers the longest non-glacial ski season, while the family-friendly Mt Norquay offers the only night skiing in Banff National Park, Alberta’s longest tube lanes for the young and young at heart.

Marmot Basin ski resort is located in the breathtaking Jasper National Park within the authentic ski town of Jasper, where abundant wildlife such as elk, deer, sheep, wolves and lynx may cross paths in front of you in their natural, winter environment.

• The Knob Quad Chairlift is coming to Marmot Basin in December 2023, reaching into the highest alpine regions of the mountain providing access to huge, above tree-line bowls and chutes, including the newly opened MARMOT CIRQUE terrain.
• Banff Sunshine Selfies – snow enthusiasts can capture special memories by taking photos at Sunshine’s must visit spots. Head to Wawa to capture stunning photos at the new ‘Selfie station’, just press the button, strike a pose and download your free selfie from the Sunshine Selfie gallery.
• Nightrise: An immersive after dark spectacular in partnership with the Stoney Nakoda First Nation experience the transformation of Sulphur Mountain’s summit with Nightrise at the Banff Gondola. Watch as the mountaintop comes to light through digital effects, video projections and music. Starting in October this immersive experience will connect you to the mountain in an entirely new way.
• Fat Biking Adventures on Snowy Trails - People of all ages can experience the winter wonderland of Banff National Park by exploring the snow-covered trails on a fat bike. With wider tires than traditional bikes, fat bikes allow for a slower pace and make the trails accessible all year round.
• The Maple Leaf is featuring the taste of Indigenous cuisine in a new 3-course menu. Crafted by Chef Shane Chartrand of Cree heritage, the menu explores the reawakening of Indigenous cuisine and what it means to cook, eat and share food

East Coast Skiing

For those wanting to experience a resort in Canada’s East, Mont Tremblant in Quebec offers well-groomed trails with an array of difficulty while the picturesque European-style village at the base is equipped with a full range of luxury hotels, fine dining and shopping. Located in the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec the resort is conveniently located just 1.5 hours from Montreal and less than two hours from Ottawa and offers the experience of a European alpine resort.

Mont Tremblant is family-friendly, offering a great ski school, play centres and an incredible range of non-skiing activities from snowshoeing, fat biking and cross-country skiing to ice-fishing and dogsledding

Big White

Getting there

Air Canada offers daily direct flights to Vancouver from Sydney, and direct to and from Brisbane four times per week. Direct flights from Sydney to Vancouver are also available on Qantas. Internal flights are available throughout Canada from all major cities, in addition to the VIA Rail train service.

For the latest information on travel to Canada please visit the Government of Canada website.
* Destination Canada www.keepexploring.com.au

*Janaya Birse at janaya@jkingassociates.com