| ext">Canada ski vacations have it all: snowy | | | | drive through Banff and Yoho national Parks). |
| landscapes of mountains, valleys, and glacial lakes; | | | | Why you should go: Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is |
| deepest and most consistent snow; internationally | | | | the Rockies’ newest alpine resort and already |
| known parties and resorts
and the crowds who | | | | gaining notoriety as offering the champagne of |
| love them. | | | | powders, the lightest and driest snow , as well |
| So, for a line-free ski vacation this winter, consider | | | | as the second longest ski-out in Canada. It features a |
| one of Western Canada’s lesser known gems. | | | | vertical drop of 4133 ft/1260 m, 2600 acres of skiing |
| They may not have Whistler’s glitz and | | | | terrain over 78 trails, with 275 inches of snowfall a |
| glamour, but locals in the know find the best powder | | | | year. |
| here. | | | | Red Mountain |
| Fernie | | | | Where is it? In southern BC just outside of Rossland, |
| Where is it? In the Canadian Rockies, a 3.5 hour drive | | | | 2.5 hours from Spokane, Washington, or 7.5 hours |
| from Calgary International Airport and an hour and 15 | | | | from Vancouver or Calgary. |
| minutes from Cranbrook, BC (served by Time Air and | | | | Why you should go:Known for its powder and terrain |
| Air BC). The town of Fernie is five minutes away. | | | | over two mountains — Red and Granite |
| Why you should go: This world-class ski area is | | | | — Red Mountain Resort appeals to skiers and |
| known among locals as the powder capital of the | | | | boarders alike, and particularly those looking for a |
| Rockies — the snow is excellent. In addition, | | | | thrill. It features a vertical drop of 2909 ft/887 m, |
| the ski area has recently been redeveloped to offer | | | | 1686 acres of terrain on over 87 runs, and 300 inches |
| more accommodation (including ski-in/ski-out) and | | | | of snowfall a year. |
| vast new terrain. It features a vertical drop of 2811 | | | | Panorama Mountain Village Resort |
| ft/857 m, 2500 acres of skiiable terrain on 106 trails, | | | | Where is it? Located on the western slopes of the |
| and 348 inches of snow a year. | | | | Canadian Rockies, Panorama is a 3.5 hour drive from |
| Sun Peaks | | | | Calgary International Airport and 2 hours south-west |
| Where is it? In BC’s interior, 4.5 hours from | | | | of Banff. |
| Vancouver along the scenic Coquihalla Highway, and | | | | Why you should go: Panorama has its relatively |
| 45 minutes from Kamloops. | | | | remote location in the Purcell Mountains to thank for |
| Why you should go: Sun Peaks is friendly and fun, | | | | the lack of crowds plaguing other resorts in the |
| with great snow, blue skies, and lots of trails. It | | | | Rockies. It features a vertical drop of 4000 ft/1220 |
| features a vertical drop of 2891 ft/881 m, 3678 | | | | m (the highest in the Canadian Rockies), 119 trails and |
| acres of skiing terrain on 117 runs, with 220 inches of | | | | 187 inches of snow a year. |
| snow a year. | | | | Whether you’re taking to the slopes for the |
| Kicking Horse | | | | first time, or looking for an expert thrill, these |
| Where is it?Above the town of Golden in the | | | | mountains have it all. |
| Canadian Rockies, 3.5 hours west of Calgary (a scenic | | | | |