Ski lovers should be aware that British Columbia is one of the greatest places for their sport. The scenery is breathtaking and there are several world-class resorts. You definitely should consider this area, located just north of Washington state in the United States. The normal season in BC lasts from November into April. At higher elevations it can even run into May. Much of the tourism dollars come from the BC ski resorts.
Located two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler Blackcomb is the cream of the crop. There are two gorgeous mountains and a town to boot. Stunning Whistler Village rests at the base of the ski hills. You will see million dollar homes; enjoy lots of shopping as well as the active nightlife in the restaurants and bars. You don't even have to be a skier or snowboarder to have a super time in Whistler Village. There is the best powder snow all year round, and there are runs to suit the novice to the most advanced.
Even if you do not ski or snowboard, you could easily enjoy yourself in Whistler village for days. The ski hills offer fantastic powder year round, and a huge variety of runs for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. The total terrain is 3,036 hectares with over 200 runs. You could be here for a week and barely ski the same runs twice! With 33 lifts, and many of them high speed, you get to spend more time skiing and less time waiting for lifts. Aim to spend at least a few days at Whistler Blackcomb to get the full ski resort experience.
Another incredible BC ski resort is Big White. You'll find it about an hour outside of Kelowna. It's a perfect family resort, also with its own village, filled with restaurants and bars. You can find value hotel rooms or a complete, private chalet, with a hot tub big enough for the whole family. There are 15 ski lifts that will take you to more than 118 trails. You can also cross-country ski on numerous designated trails. They also boast a tubing area and an ice-skating pond. You can night ski at Big White and receive a great discount on your lift ticket.
Some other notable ski resorts in BC are Silver Star in Vernon, Sun Peaks in Kamloops, Apex in Penticton, and several smaller hills just outside of Vancouver which are all within 20 minutes of the city. If steep and deep powder is your passion, then you will definitely want to check out Fernie. Skiing in British Columbia is a wonderful winter vacation. Most ski resorts offer fabulous deals that even combine with airfare deals. Shuttles are also available from major airports. Take advantage of all the great deals that are available to you.