Ski Holidays in North America for Australians: 5 Fun Trip Ideas
Australia’s winter season may be almost over. But in North America, the weather is just starting to cool down, and ski resorts' 2025/2026 opening dates aren’t far away. If you’ve been considering an Australian ski holiday to Canada or the USA, choosing from many great resorts is no easy task. This article takes a look at 5 of the best ski resorts in North America for Australians, and how you can make the most of your holiday!
Whistler Blackcomb
Whistler. If there is one resort that rings a bell when you think of a Canadian ski trip, this is most likely it. With over 8,000 acres of ski and snowboard runs (the most in North America), it’s not difficult to understand why.
But the sheer volume of ski trails (200+) isn’t the only reason we love the idea of a ski trip to Whistler Blackcomb. It also averages over 400 inches of snow, is easy to get around, and offers enough après-ski and winter fun that you can easily stay weeks without running out of things to do.
Simply put, Whistler is the ultimate North American ski destination.
Activities
When planning a trip to Whistler, be sure to leave some time to explore the village and its surrounding area. Canada’s largest ski resort offers a lot of fun activities for couples or families to enjoy.
Some of our favorite ideas when you’re not skiing in Canada on your Whistler trip from Australia are:
Nordic bathing at Scandinave Spa: Dip into hot and cold baths, relax in the sauna, and enjoy aroma therapy in a eucalyptus steam room.
Ride the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola: Peak 2 Peak connects Whistler and Blackcomb. The nearly 3-mile ride towers above the resort’s snow-capped mountains at 1,400 feet.
Zipline through alpine forests: Take a daytime or dusk tour. Zipping across this winter wonderland for over 2,000 feet is a thrill the whole family can enjoy.
Whistler's Fire and Ice Show: Sundays from December to March give visitors a chance to listen to live music and see expert athletes ski and snowboard fly high through a ring of fire.
Photo Credit: Blake Jorgenson
Getting to Whistler from Australia
Visitors fly into Vancouver International Airport (YVR), the closest airport to Whistler Blackcomb resort. Flights take approximately 14 hours if you fly direct from Sydney.
Transportation
There are several shuttle services that can take you from the airport to the resort. The cost for most shuttle service companies is around $40-$60 per person (one-way). We can also help you reserve a car rental, if preferred.
Whistler Lodging
The Lodging Company has over 50 properties in Whistler Blackcomb, including hotels, cabins, and condos. Resorts fill up quickly, but you can stay longer and save more by booking ahead!
Sun Peaks
Photo Credit: Sun Peaks Resort
Trying to find an under-the-radar destination for your ski trip? Sun Peaks may be the 2nd largest ski resort in Canada, but it usually isn’t mentioned in the same conversation with Banff’s Big 3, Whistler, or Revelstoke. It should be!
Sun Peaks features over 4,000 skiable acres, with well over half dedicated to intermediate runs. In addition to the diverse ski terrain, families will love the idyllic setting and endless activities.
Activities Apart from long days of skiing, the seemingly endless amount of runs (there are nearly 150 in total), families have plenty of options for fun activities in and around Sun Peaks. Tucked away in a peaceful part of British Columbia in the Monashee Mountains, you can embrace the holiday spirit and enjoy a Canadian winter with many different activities, such as:
- Dog sledding
- Spa treatments
- Holiday events in the village
- Sleigh rides
Getting from Australia to Sun Peaks
The closest airport to Sun Peaks is Kamloops Airport (YKA), which is about 45 minutes away from the resort. Another option is Kelowna International Airport (YLW), but it will take 2.5 - 3 hours to reach the resort by car or shuttle. Flights to either airport take around 16 to 20 hours and require at least 1 connecting flight.
Transportation
Shuttles can take you from either airport to Sun Peaks Resort. Once you’re at the resort, a free shuttle can take you to and from most accommodations.
Sun Peaks Lodging
Sun Peaks accommodations offer a great value to Australian families looking to save on their ski trip. From larger homes to cozy ski-in-ski-out condos, you can find special rates on Sun Peaks with The Lodging Company!
Aspen Snowmass
Photo Credit: Aspen Snowmass
A bucket list destination for skiers worldwide, Aspen Snowmass hardly needs an introduction. A single pass grants you access to all the terrain you can imagine, spread across 4 unique mountains.
Snowmass
The largest of the 4 resorts, Snowmass has 3,300 acres of fresh powder, glades, and moguls. It’s a great place to call home base on your North America ski trip. Plus, 95% of properties here are ski-in and ski-out!
Aspen Mountain (Ajax)
Located steps from Downtown Aspen, Aspen Mountain is suited for intermediate to advanced skiers. It’s also near some of the best après-ski in the area.
Aspen Highlands
Popular with locals for its expert terrain, you’re likely to go on some of the best runs of your life here. If you don’t mind a little extra effort, take the snow cat and hike up to Highland Bowl, where you can ski down the famous run, starting above 12,000 feet high.
Buttermilk
Families visiting from Australia will love the diverse terrain, with around ⅓ of the ski runs marked as beginner. There’s plenty of intermediate and expert runs, too. If you’ve ever watched the winter X Games, the park terrain might look familiar—Buttermilk has hosted the popular event since 2002.
Activities
Aspen is a luxury ski destination, and it’s home to excellent dining, high-end boutique shopping, and gorgeous resorts.
Some of our favorite dining options include:
Getting to Aspen from Australia
Flights from Australia to Aspen Airport (ASE) typically average between 19 and 23 hours in total.
Transportation
The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) offers a free bus service that takes passengers from Aspen Airport to Aspen Snowmass resorts and accommodations. You can also book a ride share or reserve private transportation ahead of time.
Aspen Lodging
Most visitors will stay in Downtown Aspen or Snowmass. Both have many rental options to choose from, although they tend to be on the higher end compared to other North American ski destinations. If you’re looking to save on Aspen, we currently have Stay 10 Nights, Save 20% deals in Aspen and Snowmass!
Jackson Hole
Photo Credit: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole is one of the best ski resorts in North America for Australians who are looking for expert terrain. In the winter, the small Wyoming ski town comes to life, offering adventure during the day and après-ski at night. A shuttle takes you from the resort to most accommodations, making it easy to get around the village.
Important note: 50% of the ski terrain at Jackson Hole is considered expert-level, with just 10% designed for beginners. Skiers who want even more of an adrenaline rush can also explore the backcountry on a cat-skiing or heli-skiing tour.
Jackson Hole Lodging
The Lodging Company offers 25 properties in 5 convenient locations. Chat with one of our travel consultants about which is best for you!
Activities off the Slopes
A trip to Jackson Hole doesn’t have to be limited to skiing. In fact, there are enough winter adventures to keep you busy for days if not weeks at a time!
Apres-ski activities in Teton Village include shopping, eating, and live music—but there is a lot to do in the great outdoors, too.
Popular outdoor activities near Jackson Hole include:
- Snowmobiling
- Hiking/snowshoeing
- Wildlife tours
- Ice skating
- Tubing
If you’d rather relax and rest between skiing, there are also several hot springs nearby, including Astoria Hot Springs Park.
Getting to Jackson Hole from Australia
When you visit Jackson Hole, you can fly directly to Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). The flight time is around 20 to 25 hours, including layovers (no direct flights are available).
Transportation
You can take the START Bus (during ski season), use airport shuttles, or ride-share services like Uber.
Banff
Photo Credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography
Banff is a beautiful town located inside one of Canada’s most famous national parks, right in the heart of the Canadian Rockies.
Banff is actually home to several ski resorts, known as Alberta's Big 3. Each has something to offer for travelers skiing in Canada from Australia.
Lake Louise Resort
Delivering a nearly perfect mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain, skiers of all levels will enjoy Lake Louise Resort. This resort also offers amazing views of the mountains, glaciers, and the lake below.
Banff Sunshine
Situated right on the Continental Divide, Banff Sunshine is a popular destination for skiers looking for the best snow. The unique location lends itself to getting nearly perfect powder, with 200+ inches of annual snowfall.
Mount Norquay
This smaller resort is close to downtown Banff. There are just 190 acres of terrain, but ⅓ of them are expert runs. It’s also open for night skiing, allowing serious skiers to ski after dark on the weekends.
Activities:
* Ice Skating on Lake Louise
* Hike or Snowshoe in Banff National Park
* Snowtubing
Getting from Australia to Banff:
Most visitors fly into Calgary International Airport (YYC) when visiting Banff ski resorts. Flights take around 16 to 18 hours and require at least one layover.
Transportation: You’ll want to reserve a private shuttle or use a ride share to get to Banff ski resorts. Our travel consultants can assist you in arranging transportation in advance or reserving a rental car for the 90-minute drive.
Banff Lodging: We have great deals on lodging options in Banff Town Centre, North, and Tunnel Mountain. Banff Town Centre is typically the best option if you plan to ski all 3 mountains. Plan ahead and book early to save 15% on 3+ nights in Banff!
Conclusion
Traveling across the world on a ski trip takes careful planning, and thankfully, our travel consultants can help. We’ve helped plan ski trips since 1999, and are available any time of the year to help you find accommodations, ski rentals, lift tickets, and ground transportation. We hope this article helped you choose where to plan your ski trip.
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.