Winter is so much fun in Canada! We get a lot of snow and really know how to make the most of it! I wrote a great list of fun Winter activities for families in Atlantic Canada and this time I’m sharing a top ten list of some of the best winter resorts in Canada to help you plan your winter vacation. These resorts all have some pretty cool outdoor activities for families and also have a lot to do inside for when you’re ready to come in from the cold!
Did you know that January is learn to ski and snowboard month? There are a lot of ski hills in the US offering discounts for first timers during January. A great way for moms to learn how to ski stress free is at a Women’s Ski Clinic. Find out about these activities and more in the Fun in the Snow Guide!
Here in Canada our Canadian Ski Council offers a free Snow Pass for kids in grade 4-5 across Canada. What a great way to learn to ski for a reduced rate!
10 Amazing Winter Resorts for Families in Canada
Mont Tremblant
Mont Tremblant is one of those resort communities that just has a magical European feel about it. There are numerous places to stay, many of which are mountainside or ski in/out. Kids stay free at all properties and when you stay on site you can borrow skates, slide for free and be the frst person on the hill! Kids will love the indoor Aquaclub swimming area. You can also dogsled, snowmobile, ice climb, play paintball, paint ceramics and more!
Blue Mountain
Blue Mountain also has a great village feel to it with a central shopping area right at the base of the hill that has a lot for kids to do. The Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster is a favourite but you can also skate, paint ceramics, go tubing, take a snowshoe tour, take a sleigh ride or go winter caving. There are multiple accommodation options including hotels with indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs.
Crabbe Mountain
Crabbe Mountain is the highest ski hill in the Maritimes (which doesn’t include Newfoundland!) They have an excellent ski school, a terrain park and an open boundary policy. This means you can ski anywhere on their property as long as you do so carefully and in groups of 3 or more. There are lots of things to do in the area including nordic skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more in nearby Fredericton. There are no accommodations on site. We prefer the Delta Fredericton hotel for families. Crabbe Mountain offers a shuttle to the mountain from the Delta Fredericton.
Whistler/Blackcomb
SKI Magazine named Whistler Blackcomb North America’s number 1 overall best ski resort in North America. What an honour for Canada to have the best resort in North America! You can be sure you’ll find plenty of fun and activities here for your family. Some unique activities include on mountain dining, an enchanted Tree Fort and Magic Castle on mountain play areas, the Coca-Cola® Tube Park and Nintendo gaming lounges. There are many choices for accommodation including the beautiful Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Don’t miss: dress like Santa day on December 17th and the Fire and Ice show every Sunday!
Sun Peaks
Located 50 East of Kamloops, British Columbia, Sun Peaks Resort is Canada’s second largest ski area and offers a lot of activities for families to do. With 4270 acres spread across three peaks there is more than enough skiing fun for the whole family plus additional fun activities such as dog sledding, ice fishing, tubing, snow biking and segway tours. The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel has three outdoor hot tubs, an outside entrance the indoor heated swimming pool and a health club.
Le Massif
I fell in love with the Le Massif area one summer. Located about an hour from Quebec City, this resort offers an incredible view of the St. Laurence River as well as some unique activities. Their 7.5km sled run offers a new way for families to get down the hill and is unique in North America. You can rent beautiful chalets right on the mountain, however, I highly recommend the Hotel Le Germain Charlevoix. They have multiple restaurants, unique rooms with bunk beds, a spa, game room and ice skating rink.
Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
Kicking Horse Resort is located in Golden, British Columbia. They have a winter sports school, outdoor skating rink, long ski runs, heli-skiing, telemark skiing, tubing and more. The Glacier Mountaineer Lodge offers in/out skiing, soaker tubs, fireplaces, a sauna and is steps from restaurants and shopping. There doesn’t seem to be as many kids activities here but they do have a day care program.
Banff/Lake Louise
The Banff and Lake Louise Ski areas in British Columbia are in my opinion one of the most beautiful spots in the world. There are multiple ski hills and many activities in the area including hot springs and shopping in Banff. There are many accommodation options but the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is breathtaking and has a lot for families to do. It is located in Banff National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and at the base of the Lake Louise ski hill. Beyond skiing there is a lot for families to do including ice skating, snowshoeing, horse drawn sleigh tours, a spa, mountain tours and a whole slew of activities through the kids centre like bonfires and tubing. Don’t miss a heritage presentation by the Stoney Nakoda First Nations ambassador chief!
Marble Mountain
Marble Mountain has the highest vertical drop of any ski hill in Atlantic Canada and their ski lodge was called the most beautiful lodge in the world by Powder Canada. The resort boasts a number of other outdoor activities for non-skiers and skiers alike such as zip-lines and an aerial park that runs year round, snowmobile rentals, a kids centre and a winter carnival. There are many options for accommodation right at the hill including the only ski in/out resort in Canada.
Don’t forget to check out all of the amazing winter activities and travel tips in Taking The Kid’s Fun in the Snow Guide!
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Family Travel Consulting/Taking the Kids.
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