Explore BC This Winter

Whether fueling up for a long day of skiing, or settling in for slopeside cocktails, mountain resorts across BC are experts at après:

• At Apex Mountain Resort, adventurers can tuck into an array of tasty treats, from early-morning coffee to nightly feasts. The Gunbarrel Saloon is a must-visit for the famed “Gunbarrel Coffee” – a heady concoction crafted with liqueurs poured down a flaming double-barrel shotgun and into a high-altitude coffee. Now managed by the Score Restaurant chain, the saloon – regularly named among the best après ski bars in Canada – is set to debut new menu options while retaining seasoned favourites.
• At Kicking Horse Resort in Golden, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant boasts Canada’s most elevated dining experience (2,346 metres, or 7,700 feet) with epic views of snowcapped peaks and five national parks sprawled below. Whether noshing on an Alberta bison burger with maple candied bacon or sharing a cozy cheese and charcuterie platter, guests will find that everything tastes better enjoyed from a bird’s-eye perspective.
• In Kimberley, the new Bootleg Spirits sources local ingredients to craft small-batch spirits. Try the Honeycomb Cream, a smooth sip made with fresh cream and honey, and Cabin Fever, a barrel-aged whiskey liqueur tempered with raw honey and exotic botanicals. Also new to Kimberley is Grist & Mash, a new craft brewery with tantalizing brews like Maple Porter, made with pure Canadian maple syrup.
• At Fernie Alpine Resort, the Lost Boys Café – situated at the top of the Timber Express Chairlift – dishes up entrées and light snacks enhanced by panoramic views of the vast Elk Valley. Be sure to try the locally loved Mogul Smoker, a spirited hot chocolate featuring a hearty dose of rum, kahlua, coffee and whipped cream.
• At Panorama Mountain Resort, the intimate Summit Hut serves gourmet smokies, specialty hot chocolates and homemade treats. However, the real star is the evening heli-fondue, where guests arrive via helicopter for a decadent meal of melted cheese and chocolate.

With an already epic snowfall at ski resorts across the province, skiing newbies – or seasoned shredders eager to sharpen their skills – can take advantage of the season’s pow and sign up for lessons at a local mountain:

• For an exclusive ski or snowboard lesson at Whistler Blackcomb, try the Ski or Ride with an Olympian Program. You’ll have the opportunity to follow in the tracks of seasoned Olympians, who share their techniques along with tales of glory and their reasons for settling in Whistler. The lesson can be booked as a group, or as a private one-on-one.
• Over at Sun Peaks Resort, the new Sun Peaks Backcountry Tours and Avalanche Training introduces backcountry enthusiasts to safe travel in remote areas. Courses cover avalanche protocol, safe riding in the trees, heli-cat skiing and guided tours. Skiers can also shred the pow with Olympic champion Nancy Greene, who spends ample time on the mountain and regularly skis with guests. Watch for signage at the top and bottom of the Sunburst chairlift to learn whether Nancy is on the mountain.
• At Big White Ski Resort, southeast of Kelowna, ski tutorials tailored to all ages and skill levels ensure everyone in the family can participate. The resort’s “learn to ski or ride guarantee” (available with Group Discover Programs) makes sure the first ski experience is memorable and successful – if students haven’t learned how to stop and change direction by the end of the lesson, they can return for additional tutorials at no cost. Plus, the resort offers Flaik Tracking, which allows skiers to track their runs and see how much vertical they packed during their time on the mountain (parents will receive the information in an email after their child’s lesson).
• High above the Okanagan Valley, at SilverStar Mountain Resort, the new Peanut Park – situated on Middle Dipper – is an ideal spot for beginners to shred and progress. Here, guests will find small ride-ons, lip features, boxes and snow features, including jumps. There’s also Bannister Park, located on Milky Way, which is the resort’s first night park and encompasses boxes, rails and jumps.

It’s the season to celebrate! This year, three BC ski resorts turn 60 years old – and there’s plenty of community fun to herald the occasion:

• Sun Peaks Resort commemorates 60 years of skiing through several community initiatives, including season passes displaying exquisite artwork by local artist Zuzy Rocka (visitors can purchase Zuzy’s limited edition prints at Alpine Images). The resort has also collaborated with Red Collar Brewing & Distilling Co. to craft a 60-year festive beer, which will be sold at Masa’s Bar + Grill in the Sun Peaks Village Day Lodge, and at select liquor stores across BC.
• Panorama Mountain Resort is celebrating its 60th birthday with investments and upgrades that total nearly $4 million. Projects include $1.2 million injected into the Alpine Training Centre for snowmaking and safety infrastructure, complete with North America’s first TechnoAlpin TT10 fan guns, which guarantee top snow quality. There’s also enhanced grooming and new trails for Nordic skiers and fat tire bikers. Bonus: in March 2022, Panorama will become the first resort in Western North America to host the FIS Alpine Junior World Ski Championships.
• Fernie Alpine Resort celebrates 60 years of legendary experience, powder days and après with a series of stories and memories shared on social by staff and longtime guests. The resort will also host a blowout anniversary party in April.

Ready for an indulgent ski holiday? This season, new hotels and room options are offering atmospheric accommodations in the mountains:

• In Revelstoke, construction is underway at Revelstoke Mountain Resort’s new slopeside heli hotel. When it opens in summer 2024, the luxury property will encompass 154 rooms, over 6,700 square feet of conference space, 7,300 square feet of dining, and integrated fitness and spa facilities. It will also serve as the new home base of Selkirk Tangiers Heli Skiing, with three helipads directly adjacent to the property.
• At Fernie Alpine Resort, a unique new pod experience awaits at Raging Elk International Hostel. Guests will find comfortable, secure, and private “pod-rooms” at half the price of a typical hotel room. Handcrafted in Fernie, the pods are ideal for skiers on a budget, and feature dimmable lighting, a private cabinet for charging electronics, blackout curtains and shelving. The rooms are the only pod-style accommodations offered in the Canadian Rockies.
• Over in Rossland, RED Mountain Resort recently introduced The Constella: A Cabin Collective, a collection of six ecofriendly cabins and a central clubhouse situated in Granite Mountain’s Paradise Basin. The cozy backcountry cabins grant visitors direct access to the chairlift, and are surrounded by evergreen woods and pristine powder.
• In Terrace, Northern Escapes Heli-Skiing has opened a new fly-in/fly-out waterfront lodge in the Skeena Mountains that accommodates up to 10 people. From their remote hideaway, guests can ski pristine trails, tuck into five-star meals prepared by Red Seal chefs, or spend evenings stargazing while soaking in the outdoor hot tub. Safe travels this ski season Whether skiing, snowboarding or seeking a cozy après in BC’s mountains, make sure you plan ahead so you can safely and responsibly experience the best of the season.

Visit Destination BC’s “How to Travel BC this Winter” page for recent news and updates that could affect your travel plans. Happy skiing!