Are you after family vacations in Canada, or perhaps an unforgettable party and alpine adventure? Private jet travel gets you closer to your dream vacation spots quickly, comfortably, and with the greatest ease. Here’s our pick of the best Canadian skiing holidays. 
Unforgettable Canadian Skiing Holidays
Are you after family vacations in Canada, or perhaps an unforgettable party and alpine adventure? Maybe the Great White North means just one thing for you: trying out the best skiing. Private jet travel gets you closer to your dream vacation spots quickly, comfortably, and with the greatest ease. Here’s our pick of the best ski resorts in Canada.
Most of the best skiing in Canada is in the Western provinces of British Columbia and Alberta – and to a lesser extent, Ontario and Quebec. Vacations in Canada remain popular because they cater not only to expert skiers and snowboarders, they’re also great for families, offering a number of ski resorts for beginners and plenty of activities off the slopes.
The best weather for skiing in Canada is from November through April, although Alberta and British Columbia tend to have an extended ski season thanks to a milder climate.
Ski resorts in Alberta, Canada
Alberta’s Rocky Mountains are home to the three biggest resorts in the province: Lake Louise Mountain Resort, Sunshine Village, and Mt. Norquay – famous for large amounts of light, dry snow that produces some of the best skiing conditions. All three are located in Banff National Park.
Lake Louise
Banff National Park was the first national park to make it onto the map of Canada. An hour away from the town of Banff, Lake Louise’s slopes boast spectacular views over the Bow Valley and surrounding mountains. This resort is ideal for all skiers, from extreme sports skiers to those who have come on family vacations to learn the sport. More than 4,200 acres of skiable terrain offers diverse skiing conditions, from wide-open bowls, steeps and chutes, to a number of groomed runs.
Sunshine Village
One of the ‘big three’ set in Banff National Park, Sunshine Village takes skiers by gondola from the parking lot to the village at the base of the runs. From there, lifts carry skiers to runs above the treeline, where they are treated to wide-open bowls and jaw-dropping vistas of the Rocky Mountains. More than half the runs are ideal for intermediate skiers, although Goats Eye Mountain offers a choice of extreme and advanced terrain for experts. Just under a quarter of the resort falls into the beginner category with particularly easy blue runs on Mount Standish and Lookout Mountain.
Mt. Norquay
Mt. Norquay offers some of the best skiing in the country and is also a fantastic way to experience Canada’s incredible national parks. The resort is home to one of Canada’s largest and longest-running snow schools, making it a great choice for those just starting out or for more experienced skiers who would like to improve their skills.
How to get there
A private plane charter can take you directly to Banff Airport, an international private jet airport just two miles northeast of Banff. Your private plane cost includes a dedicated private jet charter expert who is available at all times to assist you with any requirements you may have, from arranging in-flight cuisine to making last-minute changes to your private plane rental. If you fly by commercial airliner, you will need to land at Calgary International Airport, 75 miles from Banff.
Ski resorts in British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia has over 55 resorts that offer exhilarating downhill skiing thanks to an abundance of snow, light powder, elevated mountain ranges, and a gentle climate. This makes it one of the best places to vacation in Canada.
Sun Peaks Resort
Sun Peaks Resort’s three mountains offer a mix of terrain for both alpine and Nordic skiing, suitable for beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. The ski area of 1,500 hectares is the second largest in British Columbia and the third largest in Canada.
Whistler-Blackcomb
Just two hours from Vancouver, the side-by-side mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb make up the biggest area of slopes in North America. At their base is the quaint European-style Whistler Village. Some of the world’s top skiers head for Whistler-Blackcomb, but even beginners can enjoy this Winter Olympics venue that offers plenty of open bowls and groomed runs. The mountains are connected by the world-renowned 1.86-mile-long PEAK 2 PEAK gondola and the world’s longest unsupported lift span, which gives skiers a breathtaking view of the Coast Mountains.
Big White
If you’re wondering where to go on vacation if you’re an intermediate skier, Big White has you covered with its wealth of intermediate runs as well as terrain perfectly suited to beginners and experts. Offering some of the best powder days in Canada, Big White has 16 lifts and 2,600 acres of terrain in the exquisite Okanagan Valley, close to the city of Kelowna.
Red Mountain
Red Mountain is one of the best resorts in Canada for steeps, trees, and cliff drops. Its black and double black diamonds are popular with experts and extreme skiers. Intermediate runs can be enjoyed on Grey Mountain and Granite Mountain, while green and blue runs snake between pine glades with a gentle three-mile run back to the base lodge. Although there are luxury condos at the base lodge, most visitors stay in the old mining town of Rossland close by.
Ski resorts in Ontario, Canada
Ontario may not have its very own mountain range, but Blue Mountain still manages to deliver a vertical drop of 720 feet. If you’d like to try out the hotels in Toronto, you’ll still be able to take advantage of a selection of groomed hills and efficient lift systems at resorts not far from the city’s bars, restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Keep in mind when planning your holiday that the Ontario ski season is best experienced from mid-December through March.
Blue Mountain Resort
Blue Mountain Resort’s 36 runs make it the best ski resort in Ontario for beginners, with day- and night-time skiing on offer. It’s one of the third most popular resorts in Canada for both its skiing and non-skiing activities. Try the toboggan tours, slide down the escarpment in the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, or go figure skating at the Mill Pond Rink.
Ski resorts in Quebec, Canada
Although Quebec lacks the soaring mountain ranges of British Columbia, its resorts have the advantage of being close to two vibrant urban areas: Quebec City and Montreal. Skiers who rent a jet from Toronto in the morning can be on the slopes of Mont-Tremblant by lunchtime.
Mont Sainte Anne
Mont Sainte Anne, just 30 minutes from Quebec City, has 69 trails and a large beginner’s zone. If you haven’t yet made up your mind about where to go on vacation, Mont Sainte Anne is a riot of activity during the Quebec Winter Carnival and offers a variety of off-slope activities – from tubing and snowshoeing, to a ski museum.
Le Massif
Le Massif, at the highest point east of the Canadian Rockies, offers alpine and cross-country skiing as well as snowboarding and ice-climbing. Unlike many other resorts, skiers arrive at the top of the mountain and ski down to the St. Lawrence River. There are six lifts carrying skiers to 52 runs over 401 acres. The resort is one hour away from Quebec City by train, or you could get a private charter quote for a helicopter rental which would set you down closer to your destination and have you skiing in no time.
Best family-focused skiing in Canada
The high snowfall at Silver Star in British Columbia allows resort management to plan a full program of winter activities for young and old, making it one of the best family vacations in Canada. Things to do include family snow sports clinics and a charming village to explore at the base of the slopes. Other family-focused resorts include Blue Mountain Resort, just two hours north of Toronto, and the picturesque Mont-Tremblant.
Best Canadian vacations on a budget
While Canadian skiing holidays are not cheap, they do offer excellent on-slope and in-town facilities. Canada’s cost-effective resorts are also its best, with both luxury and budget facilities offered in different areas of the same town.
Fernie Alpine Resort in British Columbia offers a variety of price options if you stay at a hotel in the town of Fernie. At the same time, Kimberley Alpine Resort is not only the sunniest skiing in British Columbia, but its ‘best-kept secret’ status means the slopes are usually crowd-free. Boler Mountain in Ontario is a not-for-profit skiing operation that started in 1949. Its 15 runs, terrain park, tube hill, and four lifts offer some of the lowest-priced skiing in Canada.
Keep in mind when budgeting for your private flight that the type of aircraft you choose will affect the jet lease price. If you are flying a short distance, renting a smaller plane will lower the cost of a flight on a private jet. Very light jets or ‘air taxis’, as well as helicopters and propeller planes, cost less to fly while still being comfortable for short-haul flights. Air taxis can also land and take off from shorter runways and landing strips. This gives you access by private jet charter to remote destinations and smaller, local airports closer to your skiing destination.
Choose Air Charter Service for your next ski holiday
If you would like to find out more about private jet charter to the skiing destination of your choice, speak to our team. We’d be happy to discuss your options for flexible, cost-effective jet charter like our Jet Card that offers benefits unsurpassed by any other product on the private aviation market.