The 5 Best Ski Resorts in Canada for Australians
Canada is a bucket list destination for skiers worldwide, with legendary resorts like Whistler and hidden gems like Sun Peaks and Big White. It can be tough to know where to start when planning a ski vacation to “The True North”.
The Lodging Company doesn’t just work closely with the top ski resorts in North America; our travel consultants love to ski the best slopes, too! After years of research and lots of fun, we’ve helped curate a list of the top 5 best ski resorts in Canada for Australians to visit. Learn more below.
Whistler Blackcomb
Photo Credit: Christie FitzPatrick - Vail Resorts
At nearly 3x the size of Perisher, Whistler Blackcomb has 8,000 acres of skiable terrain. The largest resort in North America can entertain the most experienced skiers for days, or even weeks at a time. But it’s not just about the volume.
400 inches of near-perfect powder fall on this British Columbia resort each year, something you just won’t find back home in Australia.
Terrain
Green: 17.5%
Blue: 55%
Black/Double Black: 27.5%
Pass
Fun Off the Slopes
At Whistler Blackcomb there’s as much to do below the mountain as there is on the slopes! At night the 3 main villages (Whistler Village, Upper Village, and Whistler Creekside) are bustling with locals and visitors warming up in cozy restaurants or having cocktails at swank hotel bars.
Looking for relaxation or more adventure? The Nordic bathing at Scandinave Spa is a popular place to soothe your muscles after a few days on the slopes, while taking a ride on an alpine zipline gives you yet another adrenaline rush.
How to Get From Australia to Whistler Ski Resort
You can fly directly from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in roughly 14 to 17 hours. Once you reach Vancouver, sleep off the jet lag and spend a few nights enjoying world-class shopping, dining, and accommodations for any budget.
The Lodging Company travel consultants can help you arrange a rental car or shuttle service to Whistler, which takes roughly 2 hours.
Whistler Lodging
With 50+ properties to choose from, finding accommodations at Whistler Blackcomb is a breeze. Our travel consultants can help you book a cabin, condo, or resort where you can stay longer and save more when visiting Canada from Australia on a ski trip.
Sun Peaks
Photo Credit: Reuben Krabbe
If you need help finding where to ski in Canada from Sydney or Melbourne, we think Sun Peaks is another one of North America’s best ski resorts. It somehow manages to be a hidden gem while featuring over 4,000 acres of skiable terrain.
The characteristically dry powder here makes it popular with skiers of all levels, offering more consistent conditions than many Australian ski resorts. It still has an old-school feel, and while there are plenty of accommodations, it doesn’t feel as commercialized as Whistler does.
Terrain
Green: 10%
Blue: 58%
Black/Double Black: 32%
Pass
Fun Off the Slopes
Located in the heart of beautiful British Columbia, Sun Peaks has a lot of outdoor activities year-round. But it really comes alive in the winter.
When planning Canada ski holidays for Australians, our travel consultants recommend celebrating the holidays in the village with festive events and sleigh rides, relaxing in a spa, or trying your luck at ice fishing.
Getting to Sun Peaks from Australia
You can often find direct flights from Australia to cities near Canadian ski resorts—Sun Peaks is no exception. When visiting from Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, you can fly into Kamloops Airport (YKA) or to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) before connecting to YKA. After you land, it’s easy to reach your Sun Peaks lodging via a pre-arranged shuttle or car rental.
Sun Peaks Lodging
Save big on Sun Peaks with discounted rates on short-term and long-term rentals. The Lodging Company finds resorts for any small group or family, including small studios, 2-br and 3-br condos, and large chalets.
Banff's Big 3
Banff Sunshine Resort. Photo Credit: Reuben Krabbe
Enjoy 3 stellar ski resorts in one of North America’s most scenic regions in Banff National Park in Alberta. Our travel consultants can help design your epic adventure when planning Banff ski holidays for Australians!
Each of these mountains draws visitors on its own. You can go night skiing at Mount Norquay, enjoy incredible views at Lake Louise Resort, or ski the continental divide at Banff Sunshine!
Resort Terrain
Lake Louise Resort
Green: 25%
Blue: 45%
Black/Double Black: 30%
Banff Sunshine
Green: 20%
Blue: 55%
Black/Double Black: 25%
Mount Norquay
Green: 36%
Blue: 26%
Black/Double Black: 36%
Mount Norquay. Photo Credit Dan Evans
Pass
Ikon Pass
Fun Off the Slopes
All 3 resorts in Banff are close to the stunning Lake Louise, which has hiking trails, lookout points, and even ice skating in the winter. And no trip to 3 of the best Canadian ski resorts for Australian families is complete without a visit to Banff National Park.
Getting to Banff
Most visitors from Australia can take a direct flight to Calgary International Airport (YYC) before driving or taking a ski shuttle approximately 1.5 hours to the Big 3 resorts. If you have any questions, let us know!
Lake Louise Ski Resort. Photo Credit: Paul Zizka
Banff Lodging
While The Lodging Company offers accommodations for almost any budget, Banff is currently available at a lower price when you book by November 30th!
Book 8+ days and receive $100 Food & Beverage Credit for your Banff stay!
Big White Mountain
Big White Mountain is one of the best ski resorts in Canada for Australians looking for the full winter holiday experience. The village comes alive during December, with attractions like a holiday lights hike, Santa’s workshop, and the Loose Moose Challenge scavenger hunt for kids.
But Big White Mountain is absolutely a skier's paradise, too. There are over 2,700 skiable acres—38 of which you can ski at night. Plus, the alpine skiing in the “Okanagan Champagne Powder” ranks up there with some of the best you’ll find anywhere in North America.
Big White Mountain Terrain
Green: 18%
Blue: 54%
Black/Double Black: 28%
Pass
Indy Ski Pass
Fun Off the Slopes
Big White Mountain isn’t just fun during the daytime; it has an active après-ski scene at night, too! Visitors are treated to fireworks every Saturday at 7:00 pm, which you can enjoy while sipping on hot cocoa, after taking a holiday sleigh ride, or while skating around the highest elevation skate rink in the country.
Getting to Big White Mountain
There are direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Once you land, it’s a fairly long drive to Big White Mountain (about 5.5 hours minimum). We recommend staying in Vancouver before and after your ski trip to help acclimate to the elevation and fight jet lag.
Big White Mountain Lodging
Find family-friendly lodging no matter how large your crew is! The Lodging Company can help you find condos, hotels, and chalets within walking distance to the ski lifts. Ask our travel consultants if you have questions about our 50+ properties around Big White Mountain.
Revelstoke
Photo Credit: Ian Houghton - Revelstoke Mountain Resort
Serious skiers may already have this British Columbia favorite penciled into their Canada ski resort list. Its claim to fame being the largest vertical drop in North America. Surrounded the Monashee and Selkirk Mountains overlooking the Columbia River Valley, Revelstoke Mountain Resort is made up of the Upper Mountain, Lower Mountain, and North Bowl—offering some of the most diverse ski terrain for intermediate to advanced skiers.
While families learning to ski can cruise down the 15km the Last Spike, most of the runs favor more experienced skiers. The terrain is packed with groomers, glades, and moguls. Skiers can also go off-piste at Kill the Banker or experience the exciting back country runs in the North Bowl.
Terrain
Green: 12%
Blue: 43%
Black/Double Black: 45%
Pass
Ikon Pass
Fun Off the Slopes: Revelstoke has a local vibe that may feel like Canadian ski towns did 20-30 years ago. Pubs like The Village Idiot have a laid back vibe, live music, and familiar but fun pub grub (of course, get the poutine). There’s also a lot of outdoor adventure tours our travel consultants can help you book, like cross country skiing, touring, and snowshoeing.
Getting to Revelstoke
Skiers from Sydney and Melbourne can fly directly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), spending a couple of days in the charming city before taking a shuttle into town.
Revelstoke Lodging
The Lodging Company has rentals in the nearby town of Revelstoke, but for a ski-in-ski-out experience visitors can stay at the Sutton Place Hotel. The resort has studios to 3-bedroom units and shared amenities such as hot tubs and underground parking. Book early and lock in on 10% off if you stay 3 nights!
Conclusion
Canada is one of the world’s best ski destinations, and it’s well worth the long flight from Australia to experience any of the 5 best ski resorts in Canada. But which one is best for you and your family?
The Lodging Company is a family-run business, where our travel consultants frequent the same mountains that we help plan vacations to! We can work with you one-on-one to show you epic Canada ski packages that are carefully designed for Australians and other travelers from around the world!
FAQs
How Much Is a Ski Trip to Canada From Australia
Costs can vary greatly, but it’s safe to say that between flights & transportation, lodging, food, and lift tickets, you will spend between $3,000 and $6,000 per person for a 7-8 day vacation.
Is a Ski Trip to Canada From Australia Worth It?
Absolutely! The terrain in Canada has more vertical, many resorts are much larger than those in Australia, and we get a lot more snow!
Deric Brown is a writer who has traveled domestically and internationally, writing about his journeys along the way. A storyteller at heart, he’s always looking at both the small details and the big picture. Whether snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or hiking the Marin Headlands near his San Francisco home, he loves experiencing the beauty of California and beyond and writing about each solo adventure and family trip.