Snowed in: BC's best slopeside ski resorts

Just 1.5 hours south of Kicking Horse, Panorama offers even cozier perks. An intimate slopeside vacation village hugs the foot of a giant, uncrowded peak known for flawlessly groomed summit-to-base boulevards, jaw-dropping views, and a lack of lift lines. Located in the Purcell Range of the Columbia Mountains, Panorama is a place where everything is steps from everything else—whether that means lap after lap on the vast slopes, après-ski soaks in the resort’s outdoor hot pools, nightly family activities, or a gourmet evening at one of the many restaurants.

A true resort village, Panorama has a wide range of ski-in/ski-out and slopeside lodging to suit a variety of budgets. From basic and economical hotel rooms just a snowballs throw from the lifts, to upscale condos and townhomes. Either way, everything is equally close to Panorama’s powdery steeps of its Taynton Bowl or snowmobile adventures through the wilds.

There’s also tandem paragliding, seemingly endless kilometres of high altitude heli-skiing, and a selection of Nordic trails for skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-biking through meadows and woods. Fuel up at mountain huts with Alps-style eats and big views, locally roasted coffee at Fireside Café, or rustic napolitana pizza at the village’s Alto Kitchen & Bar.

Farther west, Sun Peaks’ Alps-style village isn’t just ski-in, ski-out, but ski-thru. Located at the juncture of the Cariboo and Monashee ranges of the Columbia Mountains, the resort’s variety of hotels and condos sit slopeside, including the majestic Sun Peaks Grand.

Beyond lodging and restaurants, there’s a healthy mix of activities like the Alpine Fondue & Starlight Descent, horse-drawn sleigh rides, dog sled tours, slides at the tube park, Nordic skiing, and more, all in easy reach.

The best part? Every bit of it stands within walking or gliding distance of the lifts at the second-largest ski area in Canada. With so much space, there are no crowds and you’re left to feel the full rush of flying down the mountain in the terrain parks, steep chutes, treed expanses, and more.

Less than two hours south lies Big White, where every hotel room, condo, eatery, and activity stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the ski hill itself, making it easy to take advantage of more activities—and enjoy the nightlife.

Known for its even temperatures and dry, light snow as much as its ski-in/ski-out convenience, Big White is a family-first mountain, with 17 lifts, 20 on-mountain cafes, delis, pubs, and bars, a tube park, an ice rink, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, baby- and pet-sitters, and more.

After a non-stop day of skiing, our group split up to take advantage of both mountain yoga and the day spa, meeting up later for après at the Moose Lounge.

Back at Kicking Horse, the early morning light is creeping up the highest peaks, and time is of the essence. There’s 15 cm of fresh powder this morning. Our goal? Be first. We step out the door of Palliser, pockets packed with snacks, and click on our skis.

The whole mountain rises above us, dusted in fresh snow, unmarred by ski tracks. Over the next three days at Kicking Horse, the four of us will ski dozens of runs, eat incredible food, soak in a hot tub, feast on après, and watch a live show, all without hopping into a car.

But now it’s time for the best part. Loaded with anticipation—but without fighting any crowds, sitting in any traffic, or wedging into a crowded parking lot—we’re first in line on a powder day. We board the gondola right behind the ski patrollers, all the way to the top.

Originally published in September, 2019.