the best Canadian Ski Hills And Resorts

1. Whistler-Blackcomb, B.C.

Why it's special: To put it simply, Whistler's big, and you'll find endless places to eat and things to do both off the hill and on. For something special, plan ahead and book a special tour, like the Fresh Tracks Mountain-Top Breakfast, which gives a limited number of people early access (think 7:15 am) to the Whistler Village Gondola, a buffet breakfast at the top and the chance to ski fresh runs before many other patrons are out of bed.

Single-day lift ticket: $102 for adults, $51 for kids, with a small discount if you buy ahead.

Ease of access: Fly into Vancouver and drive two hours up to Whistler, or go car-free and take the shuttle from the airport or downtown Vancouver. 

Runs run-down: Whistler and Blackcomb – two side-by-side mountains accessed from the same village and linked with a peak-to-peak gondola (line up for the intermittent cars with glass floor for the best views) – offer more than 8,000 acres of terrain, including more than 200 marked runs accessed by 37 lifts (plus a new one slated to arrive for the 2013 season). On Whistler, the split is 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced; on Blackcomb, 15% beginner, 55% intermediate, 30% advanced.

Besides the downhill: Five terrain parks, a super pipe and a snow cross track to start with, plus snowmobiling, sleigh rides, tubing, heli-skiing, dogsledding, ziplining, cross-country, cat skiing, ice skating, backcountry tours... need we go on?

(Photo Thinkstock)

2. Marmot Basin, Jasper, Alberta

Why it's special: Jasper National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for any Canadian who loves the mountains. Plus, laid-back Marmot Basin has the highest base elevation of all Canadian ski resorts, at 1,698 m (5,570 ft), and you can ski from November through May.

Single-day lift ticket: $79.95 for adults, $29.20 for kids.

Ease of access: The closest major airport is Edmonton, 370 km away. You can drive or shuttle into Jasper, and another shuttle will take you to the hill. Got a little more time? Take Via Rail into Jasper for an unforgettable trip. It's about 18 hours from Vancouver, five from Edmonton or – why not? – two days and 17 hours from Toronto.

Runs run-down: 86 runs across 1,675 acres: 30% beginner, 30% intermediate, 20% advanced, 20% expert.

Besides the downhill: One full and one mini terrain park on the hill; in Jasper, winter experiences include ice skating, cross-country skiing, dogsledding, snowshoeing, ski touring, the Maligne Canyon ice walk, ski touring and helicopter tours.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr/El Dubb)

3. Revelstoke Mountain Resort, B.C.

Why it's special: Revelstoke boasts North America's most vertical lift-service, at a whopping 1,713 m (5,620 ft), and is the only place in the world to offer lift, cat, heli and backcountry skiing all in one resort. "Revelstoke Mountain Resort is pretty much proof that if there's a God he's a skier – and he loves powder," says one of our sources.

Single-day lift ticket: $76 for adults, $27 for kids.

Ease of access: Fly into Kelowna International Airport and rent a car or catch the mountain shuttle, which takes about two-and-a-half hours.

Runs run-down: 59 runs (the longest is 15.2 km): 7% beginner, 45.5% intermediate, 47.5% advanced.

Besides the downhill: Tubing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, paragliding and kids' centre.

(Photo by Kevin Manuel)

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