Three Canadian Resorts Named Among World’s Best Ski Destinations

Snowboarders ride the ski lift at Lake Louise, Alberta, in this file photo. Reuters/File Photo

Three Canadian ski resorts have been named among the world’s best ski destinations, with two making it into the top three spots for North America.

Forbes’ World Ski Index listed Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louise, and Sunshine Village among the world’s best ski resorts.

Forbes pared down 6,000 ski resorts from around the world to make a list of 50 of the top spots.

Destinations were ranked based on the quality and cost of skiing and snowboarding opportunities, as well as other factors including the total length of slopes, number of ski lifts, ski review score, Après-ski score, and ski pass price.

Canada was also named the third-best country for skiing overall in the report.

Here’s a rundown of the top Canadian ski resorts that made the list.

Whistler Blackcomb, B.C.

Whistler Blackcomb is Canada’s largest ski resort and offers over 200 marked trails, Forbes said.

Situated around 120 kilometres north of Vancouver, the resort is spread over 8,000 acres that includes two neighbouring mountains.

Pierre Marc Jette skis on Whistler mountain in Whistler, B.C. Thursday, March. 12, 2015. The Canadian Press/Jonathan Hayward

Whistler Blackcomb was divided into two separate mountain resorts until the 1990s, with Whistler being the oldest in the area and Blackcomb opening in the 1980s. In 1998 the two merged under the control of Intrawest Corporation.

The site was host to the Winter Olympics in 2010 and boasts the world’s highest and longest continuing lift system, and a recently opened sky-bridge connecting the top of Whistler Peak to the West Ridge. Visitors can cross the Whistler Bowl, which is 2,182 metres or 7,160 feet above sea level.

The resort earned a ski index score of 56.34 out of 100 in the Forbes rating.

Lake Louise, Alberta

Part of Banff National Park, Lake Louise is home to 139 kilometres of slopes, Forbes said. It is located 62 kilometres from the town of Banff.

The ski resort has been created for all ages, with skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing just some of the activities visitors can participate in, according to the website.

Sofia Goggia of Italy flies down the course on her way to winning the women's FIS World Cup downhill ski race in Lake Louise, Alta., on Dec. 2, 2022. The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn

Visitors can also stay in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, a 5-star hotel located in the heart of the mountains, overlooking the lake.

Lake Lousie was given a 52.78 score on the ski index.

Sunshine Village, Alberta

Another Alberta resort managed to make it into the top 50. Sunshine Village is just 17 kilometres away from Banff.

Canadian Alpine ski team member Manuel Osborne-Paradis pauses while training for the 2014 Sochi Olympics at Sunshine Village near Banff, Alta., on May 2, 2013. The Canadian Press/Jeff McIntosh

Built on three mountains, the resort has runs for every level of skier on its 3,300 acres. It even has one run that goes through two provinces: Alberta and British Columbia.

Sunshine Village was given a 43.52 rating out of 100.

Ski Stats

The Canadian Ski Council (CSC) estimates there are 2.5 million skiers and snowboarders in Canada.

CSC’s website says that there are over 19 million visits per season to the 275 ski areas in the country.

Canadian skiers engage in the sport an average of 7.5 days each year, CSC said.