Some resorts are better suited to snowboarders than others. Whether it’s the type of terrain, lack of T bars or off-piste opportunities, some resorts offer some great snowboarding in the area. Canadian resorts are welcoming to snowboarders and have great facilities to enjoy. Our experts have created a guide to the best snowboarding in Canada.
Whistler
There’s a reason why many snowboarders rave about Whistler. It has excellent diverse terrain on and off the piste. You can explore 200km of pistes with a full lift pass. In addition, the lift system comprises almost exclusively of chairlifts, which are very snowboarder-friendly. There are also not many flat runs to get stuck on either, another plus for riders that hate having to borrow a ski pole from a friend. Whether you’re a first-time snowboarder or want a challenge, Whistler has some of the best snowboarding in Canada.
Whistler has an excellent snow record and powder snowboarding in the area is very accessible. On a snow day, it’s like paradise for those who love to make new tracks. If you’re a beginner there are plenty of gentle slopes to progress on and excellent instructors in the area. For those wanting to test their freestyle skills, there are top-class facilities at the Blackcomb terrain park. A 16-acre park with a World Cup sized half-pipe and other features available too.
Stay At:
Four Seasons Resort and Residences is a five-star hotel at the foot of Blackcomb mountain in Whistler.
Banff
You can ride 264km of slopes in Banff across three main resorts Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise. There’s diverse terrain on and off the pistes that any level of rider will enjoy during their time in the area. Each resort has its charm and the scenery is truly breathtaking. The area is great for beginners and advanced boarders. There are fantastic nursery slopes and instructors to book for first-time snowboarders.
If you’re looking for powder bowls, Lake Louise has some great pockets to explore. It’s easily accessible by the local lifts too. If you’re a keen freestyler, Sunshine Village, Mt. Norquay and Lake Louise all have excellent snow parks. You can get a reduced lift pass if you are just using the jumps and half pipes.
Stay At:
Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is perfect for ski and snowboarding holidays in the beautiful town of Banff.
Fernie
Fernie has some of the best snowboarding in Canada. You can ride 142km of slopes if you purchase a full lift pass. The resort is made up of five different bowls all accessible with 10 different lifts. In addition, you can admire the beautiful Rockies mountain range and the surrounding areas. The slopes are usually quiet too, so lift queuing times are minimal.
Advanced snowboarders have plenty of challenges to enjoy. Whether you want to weave in and out of tree runs, drop into powder bowls or attempt the snow park, there are great opportunities for high-level riders. There are some wide nursery slopes for beginner riders but not much intermediate terrain to progress on.
Stay At:
Sitting in the mountains, Hotel Lizard Creek Lodge in Fernie is close to the resort with ski-in ski-out access.
Jasper
Jasper is a truly natural beauty of a snowboard destination. The vast forests, frozen lakes and the deep valleys of Jasper National Park are breathtaking. You can ride 100km of slopes, with something for every level of snowboarder. This frontier town is for those who love nature and want to maximise their time on the pistes.
Beginners are well-catered for with nursery slopes and gentle terrain to eventually progress on. In addition, the Marmot Basin Ski & Snowboard School has an excellent reputation for snowboarding lessons. If you’re looking for a challenge, advanced riders will enjoy the many black runs and hidden chutes you can easily reach.
Stay At:
Set in 1000 acres of National Park, the Hotel Jasper Park Lodge is one of the finest properties in the Canadian Rockies.
Tremblant
Tremblant is probably the closest to riding a European resort in North America. The atmosphere is very French but the service is still North American in nature. You can explore 79km of slopes in the area. The terrain is mainly suited to beginners and intermediates, with great nursery slopes and gentle slopes to progress on.
Snow conditions are reliable throughout the season but there aren’t the mega powder dumps you get in some Canadian resorts. Advanced riders might struggle to keep entertained here but there is an excellent terrain park and Olympic standard superpipe if you’re a keen freestyler.
Stay At:
Located literally at the foot of the slopes, Fairmont Tremblant is ski-in ski-out.
Panorama
If you head to Panorama, you will find some of the best snowboarding in Canada. All levels of riders will enjoy their time on the slopes. There are 100km of slopes to enjoy and brilliant backcountry terrain too. One minute you will see huge mountain range views, then the next you will enter densely forested trails. A place for a great adventure.
It’s an excellent destination for families and beginners with great nursery slopes and instructors to book. In addition, there are brilliant intermediate slopes to progress on too. Experts will want to go on a heli-snowboarding trip with a local mountain guide. It has some of the best powder pockets and diverse terrain you can access.
Stay At:
The Panorama Upper Village Condos are modern apartments, situated in an exceptional ski-in ski-out location.
Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks has something for all levels of snowboarder. There is 135km of slopes to enjoy with diverse terrain available. The riding is made up of three mountains which each offer something different when you head up to ride them. You can snowboard through the village, which means there’s mostly board-in board-out access when it comes to accommodation.
Beginners have great nursery slopes and gentle pistes to progress on at the foot of the Sundance area. You can enjoy plenty of intermediate slopes around the area too. More advanced riders can head to the many tree-lined chutes with excellent freeride terrain. There is also a 30-acre snow park if you want to try some tricks.
Stay At:
Sun Peaks Grand is a luxury ski-in ski-out hotel, offering a top-class range of amenities including a heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool.
Revelstoke
Considered a hidden gem, Revelstoke has some of the best snowboarding in Canada. You can enjoy 55km of pistes in the area, with something for everyone. The snow record is impressive with many powder days throughout the season. There’s an average of 12-18 metres of snowfall each year, making top riders flock to the area.
There are beautiful views of the Columbia River and the formidable Rockies to admire. There are brilliant beginner slopes and intermediate slopes to progress on. Experts will be in their element with plenty of freeride terrain and tree run to explore. In addition, there’s a great cat-boarding scene to explore untouched territory further afield with a mountain guide.
Stay At:
Five-star Chalet Bighorn in Revelstoke offers unrivalled luxury and exclusive access to a wilderness adventure like no other in British Columbia.
To find out more about the best snowboarding in Canada, call our ski experts on 0207 471 7700.
